Girls volleyball notes: Lake Park makes impressive turnaround; Glenbard West’s Herbert goes over 2,000 assists

The Lake Park girls volleyball team has engineered quite the turnaround this fall.

The Lancers were 11-25 overall and 0-7 in DuKane Conference play last year and have flipped the script to a 19-10 mark and 3-3 in DuKane action this season at the start of the week.

“What stands out most about this group is how quickly key underclassmen have adapted to the demands of highlevel varsity competition,” Lake Park coach Brett Anetsberger said. “With underclassmen starting at libero, setter, middle blocker and outside hitter, alongside our senior leaders, the team’s growth and resilience in close DuKane matches has been impressive.”

Sophomore outside Malia Charse (2.6 kills per set) and senior right-side hitter Isabella Aguinaga (2.7 kills per set and a team-high in hitting efficiency) provide a well-balanced offensive attack, while junior outside Makenna Townsend is approaching 50 aces. Junior middle Kaitlyn Gonzalez leads the team with more than 40 total blocks, while sophomore libero Tatiana Salazar averages more than 3.2 digs per set as a key back-row presence. Anetsberger noted Lake Park averages seven to 10 aces a match.

Regarding Salazar, Anetsberger added her first-contact play significantly influences Lake Park’s offensive system and maintains a calm composure that stabilizes the floor, while sophomore setter Evelyn Voytek (421 assists) demonstrates high volleyball IQ, selflessness and effective communication, he said.

Herbert setting records at Glenbard West: Hilltoppers setter Cara Herbert is slowly creeping up the IHSA career assists list. Through late last week, she was at 2,711 assists, which puts her 19th all-time in state history.

Coach Dan Scott noted sophomores Grace Markey and Emily Jurek are both playing well in the back row as defensive specialists for the Hilltoppers (28-5 to start the week).

Hinsdale South’s Farrare moves outside: Due to an injury, middle Bella Farrare was moved to the outside. “This was a tough ask and certainly a big adjustment, but Bella has responded well and done everything we have asked of her,” Hornets coach Ben Goodell said.

Goodell added Payton Hallman and Emily Musil have excelled in serve-receive. Goodell noted senior setter Desi Ivanova, freshman middle Annabelle Gjurovski and junior defensive specialist Cailyn Budzik have been unsung heroes for South, a Class 3A No. 5 sectional seed in its own sectional. South is looking for its second regional title in a row.

Naperville Central, Naperville North ready for postseason: The Redhawks have benefited from the play of Alexa Novak (329 assists, 51 aces), Annabelle Kritzer (.340 hitting, 128 kills, 35 blocks), middle Katelyn Kritzer (.439 hitting, 59 kills, 32 blocks) and defensive specialist Kaylee Buda (72 digs, passing at a 2.06 clip).

Naperville North sat in first place in the DuPage Valley Conference (7-1 DVC, 22-11 overall) heading into the final week of action.

Coach Nate Bornancin said senior setter-right back and captain Addie Victor and senior middle Karolina Bilvinaite have stepped up during a recent run of six conference matches. Victor, who plays three rotations, had 46 digs during that span, four off the team leader despite only playing half the rotations. Bilvinaite, recruited to play on the pin at College of DuPage next season, had 17 kills and 11 total blocks during those six matches. “Addie leads not only with her voice, but with her play,” the coach said. “Karolina’s selflessness has been her biggest contribution, making her an incredible teammate.”

Kelly shines at Neuqua Valley: Tatum Kelly is averaging more than seven kills per match and leads the Wildcats in assists and blocks. Coach Jamie Buhnerkemper said Kelly and setter Seanna Larbi, who both were on the varsity as freshmen, are the team’s unsung heroes. “They are two setters who work together to lead the team,” Buhnerkemper said. “They are complete opposites that thrive together on the court.” Injury-plagued Neuqua made it to the gold bracket at the recent Wheaton Classic.

Meanwhile at St. Francis, Grace Grover (87 kills, 48 blocks and 26 aces) and Holly Muisenga (119 kills, 19 blocks, 71 digs) have been key cogs for coach Lisa Ston’s Spartans, as has senior Emily Liggett. “Emily works hard every day in practice and pushes the team to get better,” Ston said. “She always has a positive attitude and is willing to take on whatever role is needed for the team’s success.”

Timothy Christian wins conference again: The Trojans recently won their fourth conference title in a row and have not lost a league match since 2022. Coach Scott Piersma said the team is now focused on winning a fifth regional title in a row, which the program has never accomplished.

Audrey Williams has increased her hitting percentage to .481, which continues to lead Class 3A players. Maddie Rudman and Mia VanHekken provide balance on the outside (191 and 194 kills, respectively). Piersma also applauded Avery Tazelaar for her performance in a match against Wheaton Academy for the Chicagoland Christian title. “Avery did a lot of great stuff that doesn’t show up in the stats,” he said.

Wheaton North’s Clausing honored: Addison Clausing was all-tournament at the Glenbard East Autumnfest tournament. “Addison has seen her role go from a top blocking middle in the state her first two years on varsity to being our go-to offensive option as a pin this season,” said Falcons coach Justin Hineman, whose squad won the bronze bracket at Glenbard East.

Family fun for Carroll: York junior Eileen Carroll goes up against her three cousins, who play for Lyons Township, in a West Suburban Conference Silver Division matchup this week. York started the week with 21 wins.

Dukes coach Danny Piwowarczyk said sophomore Jules Vitellero and freshman Maggie Richerson have stepped up of late. “They have been doing an amazing job at practice trying to get up to speed with the varsity after being called up from the sophomore team,” he said.

Notable playoff seeds: Glenbard West is the No. 1 seed in its own sectional with Benet Academy No. 2, Downers Grove North No. 3, Naperville Central No. 5 and Naperville North No. 6. Lake Park is the No. 6 seed in the Class 4A Schaumburg sectional. Montini is the No. 1 seed in the Class 3A St. Francis sectional with Timothy No. 2, Wheaton Academy No. 5 and the hosts No. 6. Westmont is a sub-sectional No. 1 seed in the Class 2A Regina Dominican sectional, while IC Catholic Prep is a No. 3 sub-sectional seed there. The IHSA postseason starts Monday.