Girls volleyball: Lake County all-area team

Hannah Barbosa Warren

The senior finished this season with 26 aces, 215 digs and a 93.2 serving percentage. A team captain, she was the Blue Devils' recipient of the North Suburban Conference sportsmanship award. "She is one of the hardest-working players on the team," Blue Devils coach Julie Filippo said. "Hannah reviews films often to improve her skills. She is a great teammate and player."

Kat Barr Antioch

The Northern Iowa-bound senior capped her three-year varsity career with another great season. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker notched 275 kills (. 420 hitting percentage), 93 solo blocks, 80 digs and 14 aces. "Kat is one of the top middle blockers in the state," Sequoits coach Greg Bruns said of the repeat all-area selection. "She has been a leader for the Sequoits all season and is a driving force on the floor. She pushes her teammates in matches as well as practice. Kat never backs down from an opponent or a challenge. She is driven to improve her game and to becoming the best player and teammate that she can be."

Katie Billetdeaux Lakes

The senior middle blocker led the Northern Lake County Conference with a hitting percentage of .520 and kill percentage of 570. She was a four-year varsity starter, and her experiences on the court and positive attitude earned her a captain role this year. A repeat all-area selection, she served up 46 aces and had 158 kills, 61 digs and 14 blocks as well. She wants to study neuroscience in college and play volleyball.

Alyssa Bombicino Lakes

Eagles coach Jenni Floren called the senior a defensive specialist whose hard work and determination earned her the libero role this year. Bombicino didn't disappoint. She led the 29-match winners with 302 digs, and her serve-receive skills were essential in the success of the Eagles offense. She also dished out 27 assists. "Her vocal leadership and enthusiasm were key components for the team's success this year," Floren said. Bombicino is also a competitive soccer player and wants to study sports psychology in college.

Cassidy Beshel Grayslake Central

It took six matches for Rams coach Jason Janczak to figure out where the junior fit in. "We moved Cassidy to the outside, and she quickly grew into the position and became one of the more dominant hitters in the county," Janczak said. Beshel dominated for the Rams, pounding 308 kills and also serving 50 aces.

Isabella Cartland Mundelein

Not the tallest outside hitter, the versatile junior can sure pound the ball. She particularly looked good in Mundelein's season-ending loss in the Grant regional, pounding 12 kills. For the campaign, she totaled 112 kills and 248 digs.

Alex Cuc Stevenson

The two-year starting setter was unable to play in the Patriots' regional-final loss to Lakes due to injury. Stevenson sure missed her leadership and skills. "Everyone on the floor trusted Alex and respected her leadership," Patriots coach Tim Crow said of his two-time all-area selection. "The girls really responded to her." She finished her senior season with 536 assists and 32 aces. "Her calm and steady demeanor really calmed down pressure situations for this team," Crow said.

Morgan DeGregor Libertyville

The senior libero was a big reason why the Wildcats won a regional championship. "Morgan was our defensive standout and led our young Wildcats defense in digs and serve reception and was second in aces," Wildcats coach Greg Loika said. "She was our most experienced returnee and key to our postseason run." DeGregor notched 548 digs and 29 aces.

Alyssa Dellert Carmel

A junior southpaw, she played right-side hitter and totaled 162 kills, 31 digs and 19 blocks. She pounded 140 kills last year in her first season as a varsity starter. "Having a lefty right-side hitter is a great luxury, and Alyssa plays the position well," Corsairs coach Dave Pazely said. "When she gets in a rhythm, she can carry a team, but thankfully she is surrounded by some great teammates to keep our offense balance. I'm excited to see what she does her senior year."

Alyssa Donton Carmel

The senior captain closed her career by notching 609 assists, 39 kills, 152 digs, 27 aces and 10 blocks. She was a first-year starter at setter, replacing Grace Butler (Central Michigan). "She learned a lot from her predecessor, Grace Butler, and ran our offense well," Corsairs coach Dave Pazely said. "She started the season as part of a 6-2 where she set and hit, but as we experimented we found that our offense ran better with her setting a 5-1. Alyssa is a very intelligent player and person. She shares her understanding of the game with her teammates and elevates everyone around her. What else can you ask for from your setter and captain?"

Kylie Dykgraaf Lake Zurich

The Bears veteran setter had a busy fall. She posted 413 assists, which was second most in the North Suburban Conference. She also served 42 aces. She was a four-year varsity starter. "She played every single game with heart and passion," Bears coach Rachel Wiatrowski said.

Katie Guy Lake Zurich

The senior outside hitter slammed 233 kills for the North Suburban Conference champions. "She had awesome presence on the court," Bears coach Rachel Wiatrowski said. "She transitioned to the outside this season, played with such heart and really earned all 233 kills."

Erica Grant Lakes

The captain of the Daily Herald Lake County all-area team, she led the Eagles with 268 kills playing outside. She was second in the Northern Lake County Conference in kills and aces (46). She also had 187 digs and 22 blocks. "Erica has a powerful serve," Eagles coach Jenni Floren said. "She leads the team by setting an intensity level that is second to none in the area." Grant will continue her volleyball career at Tennessee Tech University.

Hope Havenhill Stevenson

The two-year varsity starter showed tremendous improvement over four years. "Hope was instrumental last season in our state run and it carried over to this season," Patriots coach Tim Crow said. The senior had 176 kills and 121 blocks. "It was nice to see her use her physical presence to match up with other teams' best outside hitter," Crow said. Havenhill will continue her volleyball career at the University of Rochester.

Claudia Kieda Lake Zurich

With the junior slamming a team-leading 267 kills, it's no wonder the Bears won the North Suburban Conference title. Maybe more impressive was her 267 digs. What attacker gets that many digs? "What a great player to watch," Bears coach Rachel Wiatrowski said. "She played all season with such stamina, intensity and determination."

Lauren LaBeck Grayslake Central

The three-year starter established herself as the best setter in Grayslake Central history, coach Jason Janczak said. She dished out an astounding 784 assists, while also tallying 63 kills and 52 aces. "She did it all for us this year," Janczak said. "She had the ability to set the tempo for our offense and even make bad passes into hittable ones." LaBeck will set next for the University of South Florida.

Dana Lundtveit Warren

The junior was a true slugger in helping the Blue Devils capture 25 victories. Coach Julie Filippo limited her to just left- and right-side rotations to start the campaign. But Lundtveit's improving passing allowed her to play all around. She finished the season with 224 kills, 19 aces and 52 blocks.

Erin McBriarty Grayslake North

The senior made the switch from setter to defense this year and paced the Knights with 273 digs. Her serving was on target to the tune of 97 percent, and she also led the Knights in serve reception.

Megan Mitchell Grant

A year ago, she sat the bench. Not this season. "She came back this year and played in every match and led in just about every stat," Bulldogs coach Michelle Keenan said. The junior outside hitter paced the improving Bulldogs in kills (169), was second in digs (206) and second in blocks (17). "She has ice in her veins and never gets rattled," Keenan said. "She wants the ball every time, whether she is in the front or back row."

Rachel Orpano Lakes

The senior was the Eagles' starting setter the last two year, served as a captain this year and helped direct the team to a school-record 29 wins and Northern Lake County Conference championship. She dished out 349 assists in a 6-2 offense. She also racked up 129 digs. She plans to study biochemistry in college.

Amanda Reinhart Libertyville

She got a chance to play last year when Haley Stevenson was injured. This year, the junior middle blocker took full advantage of her increased playing-time. Wildcats coach Greg Loika called her "probably our most-improved player." Reinhart led the Wildcats with 95 blocks and also had 79 kills. "Her development gives us lots to be excited about in the middle next fall," Loika said. She also hit at a team-best .236 clip.

Chloe Robinson Stevenson

A three-year starter, the senior left her mark. She helped the Patriots win three regional titles, two sectional championships and a supersectional crown. "Chloe is one of the most decorated players in Stevenson volleyball history," Patriots coach Tim Crow said. Robinson was a leader this season both on and off the court. Crow also called her one of the most dedicated and committed players that he has ever coached. She led the Patriots this season with 487 digs and delivered 42 aces. "Chloe made everyone around her better, not only as a player but a person too." Crow said. "As a coach, I could always count on her to get things done. She will be irreplaceable."

Jane Sakowicz Wauconda

A four-year varsity player and repeat all-area selection, she was the captain of the Wauconda defense. She notched more than 1,300 digs in her career and surpassed the 500 mark this season. "She's a great overall kid and hard worker," Bulldogs coach Alison Williams said.

Sophie Sorenson Stevenson

The junior outside hitter was sidelined for the first 13 matches this season due to an injury, but she still put up big numbers and was a focal point of the Patriots' attack. She finished with 202 kills, 159 digs and 68 aces. "Sophie is an incredible athlete that is a great competitor," coach Tim Crow said of the repeat all-area selection. "Her ability to take over a match in different areas was an asset to our team."

Erin Taylor Carmel Catholic

A three-year varsity starter and repeat all-area slection, the senior might have put together her best season. She led the team in kills with 280 and also had 34 aces, 78 digs and 31 blocks. "For as strong as we were defensively, Erin was our go-to hitter offensively," Corsairs coach Dave Pazely said. "All season long, we would hear teams talking before matches saying, 'We have to stop the redhead,' " Pazely added. "They soon learned it was easier said than done. Erin expanded her skill set this year and improved her vision. If teams sat deep to try and dig her heavy hits, she would tip short. If teams moved their block to take away an option, she would go the other way. She found ways to earn points for her team and gave her all on the court. Her teammates trusted her to do the heavy lifting, and she showed she was up to the task."

Brianna Vettese Antioch

The surprising Sequoits found someone who liked to play defense. "Bri has been the leader of the Sequoits defense all year," coach Greg Bruns said of the senior libero. "She has a hunger to learn and become a better defensive player. Bri has helped stabilize her team's defense and serve receive. With a solid defense behind the front-row players, the setters are able to open up the offense and use all the hitters effectively." Vettese notched 404 digs, 47 assists and 29 aces.

Ella White Warren

A first-year varsity player, the junior showed right away that she belongs. She finished the season with 221 kills, while also tallying 20 aces, 15 blocks and 25 digs. "We are looking forward to a stronger and more experienced hitter next season," Blue Devils coach Julie Filippo said.

All-area roster

Player School Yr. Pos.

Hannah Barbosa Warren Sr. DS/L

Kat Barr Antioch Sr. MB

Cassidy Beshel Grayslake Central Jr. MB

Katie Billetdeaux Lakes Sr. MB

Alyssa Bombicino Lakes Sr. L

Isabella Cartland Mundelein Jr. OH

Alex Cuc Stevenson Sr. S

Morgan DeGregor Libertyville Sr. L

Alyssa Dellert Carmel Catholic Jr. RS

Alyssa Donton Carmel Catholic Sr. S/RS

Kylie Dykgraaf Lake Zurich Sr. S

*Erica Grant Lakes Sr. OH

Katie Guy Lake Zurich Sr. OH

Hope Havenhill Stevenson Sr. RS

Claudia Kieda Lake Zurich Jr. OH

Lauren LaBeck Grayslake Central Sr. S

Dana Lundtveit Warren Jr. OH

Erin McBriarty Grayslake North Sr. L

Megan Mitchell Grant Jr. OH

Rachel Orpano Lakes Sr. S

Amanda Reinhart Libertyville Jr. MB

Chloe Robinson Stevenson Sr. L

Jane Sakowicz Wauconda Sr. L

Sophie Sorenson Stevenson Jr. OH

Erin Taylor Carmel Catholic Sr. OH

Brianna Vettese Antioch Sr. L

Ella White Warren Jr. OH

*all-area captain

Honorable mention

Devinn Bell (Lakes), Maddie Bowen (Vernon Hills), Emily Bringer (Grant), Sara Bufe (Stevenson), Kelly Bush (Lake Zurich), Nicole Carazas (Wauconda), Paule Ceneac (Lakes), Ora Cohen (Warren), Katie Corr (Warren), Kayla Dabrowski (Grant), Katy Fisherkeller (Grant), Cenie Frieson (Antioch), Taylor Harte (Vernon Hills), Kellie Hopper (Libertyville), Amanda Howe (Warren), Evie Johnson (Round Lake), Andrea Kamins (Lake Zurich), Elisa Koshy (Grayslake Central), Faith Krabbe (Mundelein), Aleen Lim (Vernon Hills), Allison Maan de Kok (Warren), Mya Mainzer (Carmel), Abby Marassa (Grayslake Central), Madie Meyer (Carmel), Kennedy Moll (Antioch), Amber Moser (Grayslake Central), Alexis Naddy (Mundelein), Madison O'Brien (Libertyville), Peyton O'Brien (Libertyville), Summer Olsen (Wauconda), Kelli Rettig (Lakes), Amanda Rowe (Antioch), Eileen Tarcha (Carmel), Lizzie Twardock (Grayslake Central), Anna Valente (Libertyville), Mckenna Zobel (Lake Zurich)

Selections and profiles by Bill Pemstein