Girls volleyball: Scouting the MSL East

MSL East

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Marianne Mendoza (fifth season)

Last year: 10-25, 1-9

Graduated players: Alysa Feld, Kelly Sommers, Sam McCormack, Alexa Barrowman, Stacey Jorda, Molly Jackson, Angie Lombardo

Returning players: Seniors Alanna Zawlocki (5-10 MB), Sierra Bugno (5-7 OH), Jessica Ray (5-3 DS); juniors Victoria Ito (5-6 DS-L), Kelly Kowal (5-3 S), Paige Smith (5-9 OH); sophomore Bailey North (6-0 MB)

Newcomers: Senior Maureen Corbett (5-9 RH); juniors Kathy Hampton (5-10 S); freshman: Alaina Murphy (5-10 RH/MB)

Outlook: With a solid group of returning players, Mendoza looks for her team to better its record from last year and compete well in the MSL East. "We have picked up some experience in the off-season and plan on bringing it to the court," she said. "We are a quicker team with players that are comfortable in multiple areas so it will be fun seeing how we can mix things up this year and challenge the other teams."

Elk Grove

Coach: Stephanie Kezios (first season)

Last year: 20-15, 7-3

Graduated players: Alex Podraza, Jessica Mueller, Tara Braceros, Amanda Gattone, Jamie Valente, Olivia Roback, Stephanie Pizzo, Katie Koston, Stephanie Maday.

Returning players: Seniors Jessica Condon (5-7 S), Leah Miller (5-10 MH), Jessica Balzano (5-3 DS); Junior Melanie Jarosz (5-7 MH); Sophomores Diamond Boyd (5-9 OH)

Newcomers: Seniors Maggie Fries (5-7 DS), Kristen Cetkovic (5-7 OH), Amanda Schuck (5-7 RH), Emily Jarosz (5-4 DS); Juniors Krista Soesbe (5-8 RH), Melanie Jarosz (5-7 MH), Mallorie DeWitt (5-6 OH)

Outlook: As she takes over the program from former coach Joe DiSilvio, who stepped down after last season to spend more time with his family, Kezios hopes her Grenadiers can make a run for the MSL East championship this season. "Our goal is to run a fast offense with all-area Jess Condon and Leah Miller (the two captains) as leaders on the floor," said the former Resurrection volleyball player. "With some of our younger players maturing, we should be able to play aggressively without making many mistakes." Balzano, Cetkovic and Soesbe were all major weapons for the Ken Grams' Grenadiers softball team which won the MSL East last spring.

Hersey

Coach: Nancy Lill (23rd season)

Last year: 35-4, 10-0

Graduated players: Katie Lill, Maddie Swan, Jamie Welter, Joanna Hoffman, Becca Haraf

Returning players: Seniors Christine Solans (5-8 OH), Jenni Mueller (5-7 L), Alexa Stedman 6-0 MH), Danielle Perkins (5-4 DS); Juniors Kristen Pedersen (5-11 MH), Kelsey Haas (6-0 MH), Sophomore Abby Fesl (5-11 S)

Newcomers: Senior Annie Cerniglia (5-11 RH-MH), Juniors Nicole Havel (5-7 S), Maggie Hogen (5-10 RH), Allison Johnson (5-8 OH-RH); Sophomore Taylor Schill (5-6 DS)

Outlook: The defending MSL champions are looking forward to another strong season under Lill, who has won 717 matches in her 26-year career (three at Wheeling). "We were hit hard by graduation but have some very capable individuals ready to contribute," said Lill, whose team graduated four all-area players, including honorary captain Katie Lill, who is now studying at Notre Dame. "We should be very competitive." The Huskies defense will be solid with Mueller, Perkins and Schill in the backcourt. "We lost five starters and last year was a very special team but we are going to be strong again with players who have been waiting for their opportunity." The junior varsity, sophomore and freshman teams all won the division. "So we have a lot of talent coming up," Lill said. One of those players is Fesl, a sophomore who is ready to take the reigns. "She has improved a ton, and it is wonderful having a 5-11 sophomore setter as talented as Abby," Fesl's older sisters, Megan and Annie, each starred at Hersey and went on to play D-I volleyball. Haas can hit with power and authority while returning starter Solans is a very capable all-around player. Pedersen, who started last year as a rightside hitter, moves to the middle and is capable of dominating at the net. Stedman will provide some solid net play as well. Competing for the right side spot are Hogan and Cerniglia.

Prospect

Coach: Mike Riedy (17th season)

Last year: 22-13, 7-3

Graduated players: Rachel Hunt, Maureen O'Keefe, Abby Homuth, Jordan Bruce, Lindsey Pickle, Taylor Gallus, Andrea Wehrle

Returning players: Seniors Sarah Hunt (6-3 MH), Mariel Sobey (5-8 OH), Sam Mangrum (5-10 RS), Ashley Wabik (5-8 RS); Juniors Danielle Siwik (5-6 S), Maura Benson (6-0 MH)

Newcomers: Juniors Shea Gallus (5-6 S), Sage Rebecca (5-10 OH), Allie Likes (5-8 OH-RS); Sophomore Annie Geweneger (5-4 L)

Outlook: Hunt is a three-year returning varsity player and represents the Knights' primary offensive weapon. "She will be our go-to player this year," said Riedy. Siwik is also a three-year returning varsity performer. Along with Sarah Hunt, she has the most varsity experience," said Riedy, who guided the Knights to MSL East crowns in 2001 and 2002. "Therefore, I'm expecting her to do great things with our offense." Sobey begins her second season on the varsity. "The combination of strong front-row play and strong defense will make her a tough competitor," Riedy said. Gallus is new to the varsity as a second setter in a 6-2 offense. Benson begins her second season while Rebecca is a newcomer. Likes, another rookie, will switch between the outside and the right-side whenever needed. Geweneger is the only sophomore on the team. "Annie has worked very hard to earn the libero position," Riedy said. " She has some big shoes to fill by replacing Mo O'Keefe."

Rolling Meadows

Coach: Janet Opels (17th season)

Last year's record: 14-16, 8-8

Graduated players: Sam Rosinski, Jackie Rosinski, Emily Nelms, Rene Poelinitz, Alison Filippelli, Alyssa Arwady, Danielle Lekas, Kelly Adair

Returning players: Senior Emily Haeger (5-8 OH), Junior Veronica Dabrowski (5-11 OH)

Newcomers: Seniors Amber Beasley (5-4 L), Emily Skorin (5-8 DS-S), Molly Purse (5-8 OH), Sarah Szymczak (5-8 RS-MB), Nathaline Pheteau (5-6 OH); Juniors Abbey Hil (5-8 OH), Julie Unti (5-6 OH), Olivia Falk (5-5 S-DS); Sophomores Morgan Keller (5-10 MB), Rachel Mickey (5-11 MB); Freshman Jenny Vliet (5-10 S)

Outlook: Although the Mustangs will be young in experience, Opels feels there is great potential. "It will take us a while to find our niche," she said. "The team is working hard and has a great attitude." Dambrowski and Haeger are the only two players back from last year's varsity squad. "I am looking forward to seeing our growth as the season progresses," Opels said. "Veronica (Dabrowski) will be moving to the outside hitting position and taking over the captain role along with Emily Haeger. Our middles are young but they have already shown improvement," Opels added that the setting position is still being worked out.

Wheeling

Coach: Jason Kopkowski (third year)

Last year: 9-24, 1-9

Graduated players: Colleen Kelly, Kelsie Jurik, Laufren Addis, Samantha Calderon, Stephanie Kuzmanic, Bianca Szarfarowicz, Tori Menelle, Amy Lee, Ellen Eiter, Ashley Pollitt, Becky Menelle

Returning players: Seniors Kayla Jordan (5-8 OH), Allison Fallon (5-8 OH), Sarah Hennessy (5-6 OH), Taylor Schroeder (5-7 OH), Stephanie Fuchs (5-7 S), Juniors Kellie Kuzmanic (6-0 MH)

Newcomers: Seniors Chloe Huebner (5-5 DS), Annette Gorzelany (5-5 L), Sandra Kowalski (5-8 MH); Juniors Becky Mullin (5-7 OH), Mayra Ocampo (5-8 OH), Tiffany Maveganes (5-8 MH), Charlene Figuerola (5-7 OH), Nia Evens (5-5 DS), Chanel Black (5-10 MH), Kim Voltaire (5-5 DS), Joanna Stankowicz (5-7 OH), Cindy Salgado (5-4 DS), Emma Jensen (5-7 OH), Dianna Hanna (5-5 L); Sophomores Sara Kern (5-7, OH), Sydney Keith (5-11 MH), Kelli Berglund (5-8 S), Jessie Zuba (5-10 MH), Amanda Mullin (5-9, S)

Outlook: In his first year as the Wildcats coach, Kopkowski watched the Wildcats continue to rebuild and gain experience. They improved on many important aspects of their game including overall play, teamwork, and mental toughness which resulted in an improved conference and overall record from the previous year. "In addition, we won a postseason game, something that was not accomplished a year earlier," said Kopkowski, whose club eventually lost to the No. 2 sectional seed. The Wildcats graduated 12 players. This season they'll have a solid core of girls returning, including Jordan for the third season. "I expect Kayla to lead on and off the court, as well as make a significant impact in every match that we play," Kopkowski said. Kuzmanic, Fuchs and Hennessy all return for a second year after having played a significant amount of volleyball during the off-season through clubs and other leagues. Keith will be making her varsity debut as a sophomore. "She still has a lot to learn, but will help this team move to the next level with her athleticism and size," the coach said. "I am looking forward to a successful season. Within our program we have a number of girls competing for the same position and playing time. Every day the energy levels are high and the effort of each girl is at 100 percent. We expect to improve on our overall record, conference record, and continue to make it further in the state playoffs than the previous year."