Girls volleyball notes: Benet, Downers North, Timothy Christian, Westmont among those off to fast starts

Two key cogs in the early going for Benet Academy’s girls volleyball team have been middle blocker Sophia Youseff, who played in the Class 4A state championship match last fall, and sophomore Linden Stritch.

Coach Brad Baker, whose squad was 7-2 through its first nine matches, noted Youseff has been dominant in the middle, while Stritch leads the team in kills.

“Sophia and Linden have been extremely versatile, stepping into whatever positions we need and finding a way to be successful in their roles,” he said. “Their ability to adapt and contribute wherever they are needed has been a huge asset for our team.”

Addison Trail update: The Blazers were fourth at the recent Willowbrook tournament, an improvement from previous years, coach Katie Inzinga noted. Senior middle Frankie Rohlfing and senior middle-outside Scarlett Salvards have drawn high praise thus far.

Downers Grove North update: The Trojans, who won the Wheaton North invitational, were off to a 6-1 start. Nicole Liu (team leader in kills) and Samantha Hancock (team leader in blocks and hitting percentage at .426) were all-tournament there.

Fenton update: Coach Valerie Andrews noted the Bison has a strong group of six seniors, many who have been playing together since the seventh grade. “It is showing in their chemistry on and off the court,” she said. “We are excited to see that potential play out in the upcoming weeks.” Senior captain Gabriela Jachymiak was leading the team in assists, while senior Anaya Blissit was tops in kills and junior Ryleigh Mitchell was leading in aces.

Glenbard West update: The Hilltoppers have only one home match in their first 15 contests before the schedule evens out a bit, coach Dan Scott mentioned. Ella Rowe (39 kills), Farryn Burridge (10 block kills) and Cara Hebert (125 assists) are off to big starts, Scott noted.

Hinsdale South update: Sophomore middle Bella Farrare was hitting .346, while Payton Hallman (passing 2.2 on a 3.0 scale and averaging four digs per set) also has started strong, coach Ben Goodell noted.

IC Catholic Prep update: The Knights were third at the Timothy Christian-Westmont tournament, defeating Trinity, St. Edward and River Valley Christian. Meggie Goggin and Libby Phillips were notable during a recent Chicagoland Christian Conference contest against Woodstock Marian.

Lake Park update: The Lancers recently finished fourth at the Conant-Fremd Peggy Scholten invitational. Sophomore right side Isabella Aguinaga was leading the team in kills and attempts and was hitting over .400, while sophomore setter Evelyn Voytek is directing a 5-1 offense for the first time with confidence and has played a big role in the Lancers getting off to a 6-2 start, coach Brett Anetsberger said.

Metea Valley update: Sienna Bialek is anchoring Metea’s young team from the libero position where she is passing at a 2.2 clip on a 3.0 scale, while juniors Alana Schille and Maya Urban also have made great progress for the Mustangs, who won the recent Willowbrook invitational title.

Naperville Central update: Central coach Eric Kaisling noted his team has been down 8-3 in a set to 15 and 18-8 in a set to 25 and have come back to win. Suzie Holloway (32 kills), Katelyn Kritzer (.385 hitting, 18 kills), Alexa Novak (15 aces, 77 assists) and Zoey Horn (2.15 passing, 14 aces, 64 digs) have been key cogs.

Neuqua Valley update: University of Illinois commit and Wildcats setter Tatum Kelly has stepped into an additional role as an attacker “and has been making a huge difference while some players recover from injuries,” coach Jamie Buhnerkemper noted. Sophomore Cece Rogers has stepped nicely into the libero role for Neuqua, the coach added.

Timothy Christian update: The Trojans (10-3) took second at the Evergreen Park tournament where Sophie Kwak, Mia VanHekken and Audrey Williams earned all-tournament honors.

Waubonsie Valley update: Zoe Kraslen (11 kills per match), Aislee Morgan (2.4 passing, team leader in digs) and returning all-DuPage Valley pick Belle Black (eight kills, three blocks per match) have led the early charge for the Warriors, as has freshman middle Kenzie Black who is also being worked in at outside in order to get her more attack opportunities, coach Noel Soto noted.

Westmont update: The Sentinels were runners-up at the Timothy Christian-Westmont tournament, the team’s highest finish there. Westmont also was off to a 6-1 start, best under fourth-year coach Jason Gentile. Leading the charge have been Kotryna Vanagas (80 kills, .301 hitting), Layla Bunch (43 kills, .415 hitting, 17 aces) and Ryley Johnson (121 assists).

Wheaton Academy update: Wheaton Academy downed Chicagoland Christian Conference foe Chicago Christian in a recent tournament, coach Cody Nielsen noted. Penny Park leads the Warriors in assists, while Addie VanderLugt is leading the team in hitting efficiency at .260.

Wheaton North update: Addison Clausing is closing in on her kill total from last year, just 16 sets into the season (66 last year, 55 this year). “Addison worked a ton to become a more consistent offensive threat and has been great to start the year,” Falcons coach Justin Hineman said. Emily Rochford runs the Wheaton North offense “and makes plays every game that amaze her teammates,” Hineman said. “Her leadership in her second year as captain is instrumental to what we are trying to accomplish here.”

Willowbrook update: The Warriors (6-2) took second at their own invitational recently. Darcy Hartley had nine kills against Coal City, Maggie Hurley had 10 kills against Trinity and Evelyn Lammers had five kills and three digs against Glenbard South.

York update: Junior Eileen Carroll was named to the all-tournament team at Wheaton North where the Dukes took third. “Eileen did an outstanding job hitting and played the best defense I have seen out of her in her career at York,” coach Danny Piwowarczyk said. “She has really blossomed this year into an outstanding six-rotation outside.”