Girls volleyball preview: Scouting Lake County

ANTIOCH

Coach: Jamie Atkinson (3rd year)

Key Losses: Amanda Spera, Hannah Skoog

Returning players: Sr. Candace Nelson, Sr. Jordan Staten, Sr. Toree Briggs, Sr. Emily Quinnett, Sr. Kayla Vazquez, Sr. Allie Gelander

Newcomers: So. Katherine Barr, Jr. Kayla Spera, Jr. Alexa SpokasJr. Vicki Schultz, Jr. Jackalyn Geraty, Jr. Erika Gallimore

Season outlook: The Sequoits will look to compete in a competitive North Suburban Prairie with a group that includes 2014 all-conference outside hitter Candace Nelson.

CARMEL

Coach: David Pazely

Last season: 33-6, 6-2 ESCC (North champs)

Key losses: OH Grace Schofield (Drake University), L Sierra Kepski (IUPUI), RS Morgan Meade (UW-Whitewater)

Returning players: Sr. OH Allie Wayland, Sr. OH Elizabeth Tworek, Jr. S Grace Butler, Sr. MH Cate Halverson, Sr. MH Taylor Luhr, Sr. RS Izzy Smith, Sr. L Makenzie Feeney, DS Sr. Maegan O'Toole, Sr. DS Allie Kos, Sr. DS Giana Moisio, Sr. S Mamie Kenar

Newcomers: Jr. MH Lauren Nelson, Jr. DS Genevieve Putnam, Jr. OH Maia Yonke, So. OH Erin Taylor

Season outlook: The Corsairs put together an incredible run last season but had to go through eventual state runner-up Libertyville in the sectional final. Junior setter Grace Butler starts for her third year in a row on varsity. Elizabeth Tworek, Taylor Luhr and Cate Halverson are also returning starters. "We graduated three great players (Grace Schofield, Sierra Kepski and Morgan Meade) but return the majority of the team and are senior heavy this year," coach David Pazely said. "That experience will hopefully translate into clutch performances in high-stakes matches. We are hungry to continue the tradition of success that we have built over recent years. One thing different from last year to this year is we won't have the workhorses (Schofield and Meade) to lean on offensively. Offense will have to be a constant team effort, but we trust our setters to quickly spread the ball around and keep defenses guessing. Competition continues to improve in the area, and the multiplier kicks us up into (Class) 4A, but we are battle tested and ready for a fight."

GRANT

Coach: Sue Thompson (20th year)

Last season: 13-19

Returning players: Jr. Katie Kiser, Sr. Kylie Mueller, Sr. Jordynn Hundley, Jr. Hannah Johnson, Sr. Taylor Drake, So. Megan Gebauer, Sr. Lexi Gerdes, Sr. Carlee Holland, Sr. Ally Latta, Sr. Megan Whitman, Sr. Kelli Varney

Newcomers: So. Emily Bringer

Season outlook: It's the end of an era, as Sue Thompson is coaching her final season. She is retiring from both teaching and coach. She returns a pair of all-conference players in senior outside hitter Kylie Mueller and junior setter Katie Kiser, as well as nine other players. Anchoring the offense will be captains Kiser and Mueller. The middle blocking positions will be handled by senior Taylor Drake and junior Hannah Johnson. "Both are experienced at the net and should put up some good numbers both offensively and defensively," Thompson said. Rounding out the attack will be sophomore returnee Megan Gebauer and senior outside Jordynn Hundley. "With the addition of (sophomore) Emily Bringer, this trio should give us a balanced attack from these positions," Thompson said. "Our seasoned back row - with the mix of Lexi Gerdes, Carlee Holland, Ally Latta and Megan Whitman - promises to be a solid defensive unit. The addition of Kelli Varney, who switched her duties from setter to defense this year, has already been making large defensive contributions."

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL

Coach: Jason Janczak (10th year)

Last season: 23-15, 10-4 in the FVC Fox

Key losses: MH Taylor O'Neil (College of Lake County), OH Hayley Peterson S Juliana Frusolone, DS Dani Sentz

Returning players: Sr. MH Allie Daul (6-2), Sr. OH Marie Gerbasi (5-10), Sr. OH Jackie Hamrick (5-9), Jr. L Morgan Anderberg (5-7)

Newcomers: Sr. MH Nicole Cave (5-11), So. S Lauren LaBeck (6-0), Fr. OH Amber Moser (6-0)

Season outlook: The Rams boast some newcomers with size. Included is 6-foot sophomore setter Lauren LaBeck. "Lauren LaBeck has been working hard over the summer and at every practice connecting with her hitters both in system and out of system," coach Jason Janczak said. Senior middle Allie Daul has committed to Division II St. Leo University and is a four-year varsity starter. "We are looking to Allie Daul and Marie Gerbasi to have a great year for the program during their senior season. Our defense and serve receive continue to get better with every practice. This group of girls has worked hard over the summer to make sure we were refining our skills and becoming more competitive. If we continue to work hard and grow as a team, we should be compete."

GRAYSLAKE NORTH

Coach: Jim Sarver (2nd year)

Last season: 10-25

Returning players: Sr. S Kendall Buchman

Newcomers: Sr. OH Kennedy Krieg (5-8), Sr. OH Annie Rauch (5-11), Jr. MB Abby Fish (5-9), Sr. S Madison Helm, Jr. L Taylor Johnston, Jr. MB Sidney Lovitsch

Season outlook: The Knights return all-conference setter/outside hitter Kendall Buchman and are looking to improve last season's win total of 10. "We are very athletic," coach Jim Sarver said. "We haves strength in the middle and setting. Our team has only one returning starter but should show great growth during the season as more experience is gained."

LAKES

Coach: Kate Cheek (3rd year)

Last season: 28-8

Returning players: Sr. OH Megan Behrendt (5-8), Sr. S Maddie Demo (5-6), Jr. RS McKenna Lahr (5-11), Sr. OH Izzy Huntington (5-10), So. MH Katie Billetdeaux (6-2)

Newcomers: So. OH Erica Grant (5-10)

Season outlook: The Eagles had a successful season last year and return five starters: Senior OH/captain Megan Behrendt had a great off-season in club, earning All-America honors in helping her team to third place at nationals. Setter Maddie Demo broke Lakes' school record for assists in a season last year. Izzy Huntington, McKenna Lahr and Katie Billetdeaux are also back. Behrendt, Demo, Huntington and Lahr all made the all-conference team last year. "We have high expectations for the upcoming season," coach Kate Cheek said. "We are setting goals for preparing for the postseason. The seniors are great leaders and are working to motivate the team. We want to run a challenging offense and work on becoming more scrappy on defense. Every game matters to reach their goals."

LAKE ZURICH

Coach: Rachel Wiatrowski (1st year)

Key losses: MacKenzie Andrews, Breanna Wold

Returning players: Lexi Gora, Hannah Sweetwood, Kylie Dykgraaf, Rachel Corrigan

Newcomers: Marin Allgood, Grace Masgood

Season outlook: Rachel Wiatrowski replaces Matt Aiello as the Bears coach and takes over a squad that features junior outside hitter Lexi Gora and setter Hannah Sweetwood. Sweetwood and Gora (honorable mention) were both all-conference selections last season.

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Greg Loika (7th year)

Last season: 35-7, second in Class 4A

Key losses: Alex Basler, Lizzie Apgar, Francesca Fusco, Mikaella Faber, Eryka Jones, Sinead Prentiss

Returning players: Sr. OH Hannah Zerwas, Sr. OH Erin Dunleavy, Jr. L Morgan O'Brien, Sr. MB Annika Hawkinson, Sr. MB Jacqui Widmark, Jr. S Anna Lillydahl

Season outlook: With the graduation of all-stater Alex Basler (Cornell) and setter Lizzie Apgar, the Wildcats will need to reload in order to repeat the successes of last season. They return a trio of all-conference players in senior Erin Dunleavy, junior Morgan O'Brien and senior Hannah Zerwas. Junior Anna Lillydahl was named honorable mention all-NSC. Coach Greg Loika said a "poor championship match" in Bloomington last fall left his Wildcats "hungry." The Wildcats boast good size. "A balance of leadership returning and new faces will quickly reveal the depth of this team come October," Loika said. "Early tests with Hersey, Crystal Lake South and New Trier will give a good early baseline for our talent."

MUNDELEIN

Coach: George Dressen Jr. (12th year)

Last season: 9-27

Key losses: Yasmeen Johnson (Emory University)

Returning players: Sr. L Julia Harbison, Sr. OH Elizabeth Ramer, Sr. RS Monika Bowser, Jr. OH Sidney Brunkow

Newcomers: Jr. MH Amanda Bogseth, Jr. S Mackenzie Linane, Jr. DS Tess Pribyl

Season outlook: The Mustangs are looking to rebound from a disappointing season a year ago. They graduated star Yasmeen Johnson. "These girls put in a lot of time in the summer," coach George Dressen Jr. said. "We don't have the big guns like some schools, but this team can handle some adversity. They have showed that they can compete."

ROUND LAKE

Coach: Kristin Lilla (4th year)

Last season: 10-26

Key losses: L Veronica Chavez

Returning players: S Melinda Blomberg, MH Marisela Valadez, RS Carly Wagner

Newcomers: So. MH Alesia Jimdar, So. OH Allie Ramirez

Season outlook: Coach Kristin Lilla is excited about her team's potential as well as the addition of former McHenry coach Kim Miller. "With the addition of another coach, we are working hard on the fundamentals in order to play more consistently this season," Lilla said. Senior setter Melinda Blomberg is coming off an all-conference season . "Behind the leadership of Melinda and Marisela (Valadez), we hope to bring our young team up to speed quickly. Melinda has worked hard in the off-season for club and setting camps. I depend on her on-court leadership so much. She plays such a key role in our competitiveness on the court as well as our poise. Marisela, too, has worked so hard. She is in the best shape of her life, and her ability to read the ball makes it hard for me to take her off the court. She looks to play all-around for the first time in her career." In addition to Blomberg and Valadez, the Panthers have two sophomores, Alesia Jimdar and Allie Ramirez, who will see considerable playing time. "Both are track standouts," Lilla said of Jimdar (high jump, long jump) and Ramirez (triple jump. "It's tough to keep their athleticism off the court. While they may be a little rough around the edges, they were there every day for camp and are excited to contribute."

STEVENSON

Coach: Tim Crow (14th year)

Last season: 23-14

Key losses: Jackie Green

Returning players: Jr. OH Jori Radtke, Sr. L Morgan Berland, Sr. OH Isabella Milejczyk, Sr. S Corissa Kurth

Newcomers: Chloe Robinson

Season outlook: There are high expectations in Lincolnshire for this team. Jori Radtke has committed to Northern Illinois and is one of five returning starters. Radtke, Morgan Berland, Corissa Kurth and Isabella Milejczyk (honorable mention) all earned all-conference honors last season. "We are expecting a lot more," coach Tim Crow said. "With a veteran team like this, the bar is set high."

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Ray Rugebregt (2nd year)

Last season: 9-24

Key losses: Kasey Firnbach, Tori Smith, Haley Liebermann

Returning players: L Jade Goldufsky, MB Jenna Joyce

Season outlook: The Cougars are looking to improve from last season, which resulted in just 9 wins. Senior libero Jade Goldufsky made honorable mention all-conference last year. "We are a young team and in a rebuilding phase," coach Ray Rugebregt said. "We do not have a lot of depth in terms of varsity experience but have a team very eager to learn, grow and kick off the program with a new sense of team and unity. Our goal this year is to keep getting better on a weekly basis."

WARREN

Coach: Julie Filippo (12th year)

Last season: 22-12

Key losses: Lauren Frericks, Lindsey Biedron

Returning players: Sr. MH Kim Hengesh (6-0) Sr. MB Jenna Walczak (6-0) Jr. OH Claire Lundtveit

Season outlook: The Blue Devils return four starters who are "highly motivated to make a difference," coach Julie Filippo said. Senior middle Kim Hengesh and senior outside Jenna Walczak were named to the all-conference team last year. "Kim and Claire (Lundtveit) are working hard to be a force in the middle, and both Jenna and Natalie (McNally) will bring some heat on the outsides," Filippo said. "With the addition of some young talent and strong bench, we are looking to improve our record and have a successful season."

WAUCONDA

Coach: Allison Williams (4th year)

Key losses: Becky Sidlowski

Returning players: Sr. OH/S LeAnne Sakowicz, Sr. MH Sara Sexton, Sr. OH Kayla Wedl, Sr. L Ashley Anderson

Newcomers: So. Jane Sakowicz, Jr. Abby Ribar

Season outlook: The Bulldogs should be line for another strong season. Veterans LeAnne Sakowicz and Sara Sexton both made the all-conference team as juniors. Ashley Anderson is in her fourth varsity as starting libero, and softball star Kayla Wedl also returns after a strong junior campaign. Anderson and Wedl were both honorable mention all-NSC selections last season.