All-area team profiles: Lake County

Rachel Baader Stevenson

Stevenson fans liked to boast "She's ... a ... fresh ... man!" whenever the outside hitter did something spectacular on the court. The Patriots have been bragging about Baader exploits for a while. Rachel is the youngest sibling of Kristen, Jen and John, all of whom have excelled on the volleyball court for Stevenson. "She's just a very mature kid and smart player," coach Tim Crow said. "She can do everything well. She can actually set." An all-conference pick as a freshman, Baader led Stevenson in kills (212) and aces (56) and was second on the team in digs (214). "She's smart, she sees the floor extremely well, and she has great volleyball instincts," Crow said. "When you have three older siblings that play high-level volleyball, you're going to be that way at a young age typically."

Megan Barron Mundelein

When setter Kelsey Sullivan was injured last year, coach George Dressen Jr. faced a quandary. He didn't want to lose Barron's hitting, but he needed someone to play out of position at setter. He asked Barron to sacrifice for the team, and her response was immediate. "She gave us her junior year," Dressen said. "She didn't think twice about it." With Sullivan back on the court this year, Barron flourished as a hitter in her senior season. The two-time all-area pick had 210 kills, 296 digs and 40 aces. "She was an extremely aggressive hitter," Dressen said. "She could put the ball down (anywhere)."

Klaudia Basierak Grayslake Central

The sophomore middle blocker exploded onto the scene in her first varsity season. She had 177 kills, 41 blocks and 33 aces. "She quickly developed into a smart, versatile middle hitter, which allowed us to open our offense more," coach Jason Janczak said. After a solid freshman season, Basierak, a 6-footer, made a dramatic improvement during the club season and over the summer. "She really got in tune with what it means to be an elite volleyball player," Janczak said. "She has a natural instinct for the game, and she played with full intensity at every practice and match. Her presence on the court elevated the play of those around her."

Audrey Bauer Lake Zurich

The 6-footer can block shots and make them. The senior demonstrated that in an all-area basketball season last winter and did so again this fall on the volleyball court. She leads the sectional finalists with 156 blocks and has also slammed 126 kills and served 50 aces. Coach Matt Aiello showed his confidence in the all-conference middle blocker during the Bears' regional final against Stevenson. "During Game 1, I looked at my setter and I said, 'Just keeping going to Audrey. They can't stop her,' " Aiello said. "Then she got blocked once and I said, 'Go right back to Audrey,' because I knew with her competitiveness that she would know what to do." Baur did, as the Bears wound up winning in three games.

Amy Choi Vernon Hills

If the senior libero was playing softball, it would be called having the proverbial green light. In volleyball? "Her one and only rule was to get everything she can," coach Abbie Gutzmer said. Choi, a three-year starter and repeat all-area choice, had 447 digs, which gave her a school-record total of 1,012. She had a 2.4 passing rating on the standard 3.0 scale. Choi will play next year for Lewis University. For Choi, a big area of improvement was her serving. She added a jump-serve and that helped her wrack up 48 aces. "Amy just loves the game," Gutzmer said. "Whether it was a practice or a match, she played with the same intensity and expected the same performance from herself."

Mandy Fischer Lakes

In the brief history of Lakes volleyball, nobody has made more of an impact than the senior middle blocker, who's a two-time all-area selection. "She's the best volleyball player to come out of Lakes," coach Carla Thompson said. Fischer finished the season with 154 kills, 85 blocks and 48 aces. Her leadership was just as important as her statistics. "She literally taught the younger girls how to be a varsity player," Thompson said. And she had plenty of fun in the process. "She has always been so serious, but this year she really seemed to have a good time with her teammates."

Alyssa Fritz Mundelein

She had a tough act to follow. As a junior, she posted a team-high 317 digs in collecting all-area accolades. But Fritz quickly put that number in the rear-view mirror in Mundelein's highly successful season. The senior libero compiled 425 digs and was steady in the back row from day one until the end of the season. She could make both the routine dig and the spectacular one. "She has great energy and focus," coach George Dressen Jr. said. "She never wanted to come off the floor."

Brianna Grant Antioch

Grant provided aid. The younger sister of fellow Sequoits starter Lauren Grant, the sophomore middle was a rock at the net, with blocking being her forte. "She's as good as anybody in the middle when we get her the ball," coach Glen Heitman. An all-conference pick, Grant helped the Sequoits win 21 matches and earn a share of the North Suburban Prairie Division title. She posted 79 blocks, including 68 solos, 141 kills and 28 aces.

Lauren Grant Antioch

This Grant provided aid too. The older sister of fellow Sequoits starter Brianna Grant, the senior outside hitter was a presence all over the court. She spiked, blocked and dug balls effectively. "She's had her share of hitting errors, but she plays defense as well as anybody," coach Glen Heitman said. "She's been one of our best passers all year." Grant netted 153 kills and 287 digs in earning all-conference honors. She was also a 94-percent server with 24 aces.

Jenn Grunden Lake Zurich

Coach Matt Aiello calls the senior "one of the most perfectionist-type players" he's ever coached. Grunden's season? Close to perfect. She's the captain of the Lake County All-Area team. A 5-foot-7 outside hitter, she's pounded 241 kills, served 73 aces and recorded 354 digs. The all-conference choice even counts 44 blocks for Lake County's best team. "She's not only extremely powerful, but she knows where to find a spot on the court," Aiello said. "She's really hard on herself. She works hard for everything she can do." A four-year varsity player and three-year starter, Grunden is extremely versatile. She has not committed to a college. "She can play outside, she can play libero, she can do everything probably other than middle just because she is a little shorter on that end," Aiello said. "Whatever (college) team ends up getting her is going to be real lucky."

Paige Hopper Libertyville

When your last name is Paige Hopper, you really should gravitate toward the sport of volleyball. And it helps if you play a position that involves a lot of jumping. The junior meets these criteria on both counts. After starting her first varsity season on the right side, she moved over to her natural position, outside hitter, midway through the year. She flourished from that point and ended up with 186 kills, 198 digs, 26 blocks and 26 aces. "She's the kind of hitter that makes good decisions, which makes her successful on either side," coach Greg Loika said. "She doesn't always hit over the block or through the block. She's really smart in terms of where the defense is." Regardless of her position, there was never a question about her enthusiasm. "Her energy is unmatched," Loika said.

Amber Hughes Stevenson

Hughes - huge. Her skills spoke volumes. Her teammates dug the girl who was constantly digging and digging in when needed. Hughes led the Patriots with 445 digs and also served 32 aces. "She's just solid all the way around," coach Tim Crow said of his all-conference senior libero/outside hitter. "She's a great teammate. I think she's one of the girls who everyone looks up to. In many respects, they kind of get motivated by her. Her effort is phenomenal. She's always focused on what she's doing."

Stephanie Infante Round Lake

The girl wearing jersey No. 1 was one heck of a player, playing bigger than her size throughout a season that saw her earn a spot on the all-conference team. "Stephanie was a dynamic player who was willing to run through walls to get a ball," coach Amanda Allen said. "Often times she made phenomenal saves to keep our team in a play. Stephanie reads hitters well and places herself in the best position to dig a ball, but is always ready to adjust." The senior libero/defensive specialist notched 649 digs, served at an 82-percent clip with 68 aces and even delivered 26 kills on 100-of-112 hitting. "Her ability, personality and attitude," Allen said, "will be severely missed next year."

Alex Karigan Lake Zurich

Playing the right side is all right with the senior, even if, according to coach Matt Aiello, the left side is her natural position. Karigan's chances to drive the ball were limited this season because she was on a team loaded with talented hitters, but she made the most of the situation. The 5-foot-11 right side has 103 kills, 78 blocks and 281 digs heading into tonight's sectional final. She's also served at a 95-percent clip. "Alex Karigan would be a leading hitter - in terms of how many sets she gets - on any other team in this conference," Aiello said. "She doesn't get a lot of sets with us, but she doesn't pout."

Maggie Lundstrom Stevenson

A three-year varsity player and two-year starter, the setter provided leadership, enthusiasm and plenty of perfect sets. "She's a great leader for us," coach Tim Crow said. "She knows how to get the ball to our hitters and do the right things." With Lundstrom helping show the way, the Patriots were one of the area's most improved teams the second half of the season, as they finished with 22 wins and earned a regional-final berth. An all-conference selection, Lundstrom lofted 349 assists in Stevenson's 6-2 offense and also notched 126 digs and 33 aces.

Brittany Murawski Lake Zurich

A starter since her freshman year, the 6-foot senior co-captain shined on the right side, left side and in the middle too. "She's kind of like Jenn (Grunden, fellow captain) from the standpoint that she's extremely versatile," coach Matt Aiello said. "She can do everything on the court. She's real deceptive in that because people don't expect her to be able to hit from all three spots." Murawski displayed raw power in the Bears' sectional-semifinal win over Fremd, driving 15 kills in a three-game victory. For the season, the all-conference pick has posted a team-leading 254 kills, 59 blocks, 322 digs and 37 aces.

Amanda Orchard Lake Zurich

Orchard proved fruitful. Talk about yielding good results. The 6-foot-1 sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter has provided the Bears with 210 kills, 146 blocks, 174 digs and 26 aces in an all-conference campaign. "She can dominate a game," coach Matt Aiello said. "I'm excited that she's going to be with us a couple of more years." Orchard is the youngest starter on a team that has won 32 matches and vies for a sectional title tonight. "She fits right in." Aiello said. "She's not deterred by the fact that she's a little younger. She plays way beyond her years. ... When she's on, no one's beating us."

Sam Salvi Carmel

As a junior last year, there were times Salvi thought too much on the volleyball court. This season, she relied more on her volleyball instincts and it would be hard to argue with the results. "Instead of getting too technical, we wanted her to relax and play like an athlete," coach Bill Szczesniak said. "She does so much better when she plays naturally." Salvi finished the regular season with 185 digs and averaged a 2.2 passer rating on the standard 3.0 scale. Salvi did not let a little thing like the welfare of her body stand in the way of a dig. "She would dive after balls all over the court," Szczesniak said.

Nora Snyder Vernon Hills

The senior outside hitter has always been quite versatile. "We've had her play every position on the court in her time here at Vernon Hills," coach Abbie Gutzmer said. "I think that helped her become a more offensive-minded player." Snyder certainly was this season. She led the way with 209 kills and 28 aces. In Vernon Hills' season-ending loss to Wauconda, she was 15 for 16 with 10 kills. "We knew that if we needed to score a point she was the one everyone on the team would want to put the ball away," Gutzmer said. "She's always had a strong swing, but this year she really made it a point to be a smarter hitter."

Kelsey Sullivan Mundelein

The senior setter emerged as a team leader last year. The surprising part? She did so despite missing most of the season with a fractured bone in her hand. "She was still part of every practice," coach George Dressen Jr. said. Sullivan said it was hard to watch her teammates struggle on the court. This season, there was no struggling. Thanks in large part to Sullivan's play at setter, the Mustangs won 27 matches and their first regional championship in seven years. "She came back healthy and brought a lot of confidence and stability to the floor," Dressen said. "She was very aggressive and her set selection kept the ball moving."

Megan Tallman Wauconda

As Wauconda's setter, she compiled 621 assists. She also had 55 aces, 21 solo blocks, 45 kills and 58 digs. Good numbers under any circumstance, but especially impressive when you consider the 5-foot-8 Tallman is a freshman. She came right in and seized control of Wauconda's 5-1 offense. The Bulldogs enjoyed success all season, capped by winning their first regional championship. "She could break all the school volleyball setting records," coach Jonathan Grandt said. "It wouldn't surprise me if she was a hitter and setter for us in the future. Her potential is off the charts."

Sarah Walker Grayslake North

Few teams were younger than the Knights. Few players were more valuable to their team. Walker was a leader and a difference-maker. "Sarah was our go-to-player this season," coach Nikki Kirchway said of her senior outside hitter. Walker led the Knights in kills (161), digs (262) and aces (60). "She has been an impact player for the last two years and was our senior rock," Kirchway said. "Without her, the chemistry on our team would not have been the same. We value everything that she has bought to our team and program, and she will truly be missed next year."

Kristen Webb Libertyville

There have not been a lot of freshmen who have played varsity volleyball for the Wildcats. So first-year coach Greg Loika did not make the decision lightly. "We looked for a reason not to do it and we couldn't find one," he said. "She's that special of a player." Webb, a libero, produced a team-high 376 digs and led the Wildcats with 43 aces. With Webb on the court, the opposition recorded few free points. "She touches volleyballs that other players don't touch," Loika said. "I bet she kept 50-100 points alive that should have been (over). You can't really put a value on that."

Maddie Westman Wauconda

The 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter will be taking her show on the road. Next year she will play Division I volleyball for UNLV. "She has the ability to play all the way around, which a lot of bigger girls don't," coach Jonathan Grandt said. "She acquires new skills easily. Every year she's greatly improved some aspect of her game, and I expect that to continue into her college career." Westman flourished as an outside hitter after playing middle blocker last year. She had a team-high 326 kills, 24 aces and 142 digs to help Wauconda win its first regional title. "No team was able to consistently block her," Grandt said. Westman, one of the top students in her class, applied that same work ethic to volleyball. "She wanted to be the best and made the most out of her time in the gym," Grandt said. "She helped with our lower levels as well as the middle school program. She was a selfless player."