The DuPage County All-Area girls volleyball team

Sydney Aitchison, Metea Valley

Once this senior setter helped the team shift to a 5-1 offense after the team suffered injuries, the Mustangs took off and swept through the DVC and went on to win a school-record 29 matches. "The wins and the quality of wins from that point kind of speak for themselves," coach Dave Macdonald said. Her 650 assists are second-best ever at the school, and she added 35 aces, 12 blocks and 121 digs.

Maggie Bair, Glenbard South

The junior middle blocker recorded 356 kills, 205 digs, 112 blocks and 17 aces for the Raiders and was named MVP of the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division, along with all-tourney honors at Wheaton North, Plainfield Central, and Glenbard West, where she was tournament MVP. "Maggie had a breakout season this year. She played middle for us most of the time, but is also a very good outside hitter," coach Chad Grant said.

Emmy Barnhorst, Wheaton North

This Falcon served her way to 29 aces and 178 points, and the senior outside also put down 209 kills and added 28 blocks and 146 digs. "Emmy is such an impact player. She's driven to be successful and very motivated. Her maturity, leadership and level of experience have led this team to a poised and energy driven team. Emmy's versatility as a player (changed positions for high school) has led her to become a player that the Falcons can't do without," coach Carole Kristensen said.

Gisela Bode, Waubonsie Valley

"Gisela has been one of our strongest hitters all season and she is a great leader on the court," Warriors coach Kari Galen said of her senior outside threat. After helping the team to a regional title, she will continue playing at Lewis University next fall. Heading into sectional play, Bode had piled up 25 blocks, 14 aces, 96 digs and 189 kills, including a 15-kill effort in a three-set win over St. Charles East.

Ari Budnik, Naperville North

After earning All-Area honorable mention honors in 2016, she teamed up with Sarah Kushner this fall to give the Huskies a potent 1-2 attack on the outside. "Ari is a four-year varsity starter for the Huskies and she is the most experienced and consistent pin hitter for the Huskies with a .292 hitting percentage," coach Jen Urban said. Budnik helped Naperville North reach 30 wins and a regional crown, while recording 17 aces, 211 kills and 198 digs.

Ani Clark, Wheaton North

One of the tougher middles around, Clark put up some solid numbers as a junior for the Falcons: 36 aces, 262 kills, 58 blocks and 28 digs. "The growth and level of energy that Ani brings to the Falcons is like none other. She is an unbelievable spark that energizes the team," said coach Carole Kristensen, whose team notched a regional crown.

Alexandra Danciutiu, York

"Alexandra has played an integral role on the York volleyball team this season as our starting libero who is a great competitor," coach Patty Iverson said. "She has brought stability through her disciplined and consistent passing and defense as well as helped us to win matches with her awesome serve that scores points or at least pulls the opposition out of system." She played varsity for three seasons and capped her senior season with more than 50 aces, 90 percent passing efficiency and 350 digs in 2017.

Clare Delaplane, Downers Grove North

The 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter led the Trojans in kills with 265 while piling up 224 digs, 57 blocks and 53 aces prior to her team's three-set victory over St. Francis in the sectional semis. "Every good team needs that one or two six-rotation player who is consistently dependable and able to execute in the clutch," coach Mark Wasik said. "Clare has been our rock particularly through the most competitive stretch of our season." She will continue playing at Villanova University.

Mikaila Dowd, Metea Valley

The All-Area captain led the Mustangs to school-record win totals in each of the last two seasons while setting and then breaking her own season record for kills during that span. Headed to Georgia Tech in January, she recorded 328 kills, 21 aces, 37 blocks and 168 digs. "The best part about her, she's athletic and everything, but she's one of the most humble players," coach Dave Macdonald said. "She would rather have our team win than worry about how many kills she gets."

Michelle Glover, Montini

This athletic senior in the middle helped the Broncos win a Class 3A regional and advance to a sectional final. "Michelle has been a huge contribution to our program this year. She is a dominating force in the middle offensively and defensively," coach Steve Dowjotas said. Glover averages 6 kills and 4 blocks per match. "Michelle makes every player around her more of a presence because opponents need to focus on stopping her and adjusting to her and that leads to more opportunities for our pin players to score."

Angie Gromos, West Chicago

"Angie is a very competitive athlete who knows what it takes to be successful," Wildcats coach Pam Prater said of the senior middle blocker. "She is driven to improve every day and is never satisfied with her previous performance. She is aggressive and very determined to be successful, not only on the volleyball court but in the classroom as well." Gromos had 157 kills with a hitting percentage of .257, along with 114 blocks prior to the state playoffs.

Lilly Johnson, Benet

The top attacker on the county's top team, this senior outside hitter recorded 276 kills and 26 blocks heading into the Class 4A sectionals. "Lilly has been our most consistent offensive player this year," coach Brad Baker said. "She is the player that when we need a big swing, she takes it. A four-year varsity player, and because of this experience, Lilly has also been an important leader for our team." Will play at Bradley.

Sarah Kushner, Naperville North

This talented Huskies outside was All-Area last fall and even better in 2017 as a junior. "Sarah is a six-rotation outside hitter who leads the Huskies in aces, kills and passing percentage and is second on the team with 219 digs," coach Jen Urban said prior to the sectional round. "Sarah is a key contributor for the Huskies in every aspect of the game. She's an extremely hard worker who wants to continue to improve her technical skills as well as her volleyball IQ."

Margaret Mahlke, Downers Grove North

Paired with Delaplane, this 6-foot junior was second on the Trojans with 231 kills, 165 digs, 23 aces, 25 blocks through regional play. "Margaret, a verbal commit to St. Louis University, has developed into a major offensive threat," said coach Mark Wasik, whose team advanced to the Class 4A sectional finals this week. "Both her and Clare have become one of the strongest outside hitting duos in the state."

Hattie Monson, Benet

Only a sophomore, this accomplished libero has already committed to play at Notre Dame. "We have never asked a sophomore to do as much as we ask of Hattie," coach Brad Baker said. "Most rotations she passes half of the court, and defensively she covers as much ground as any libero in the area. But her serve receive is what sets her apart from other liberos." The defensive stalwart has more than 300 digs, led the team in serve receive rating, and recorded 31 aces while serving at 97 percent heading into the Class 4A sectionals.

Ananda Patterson, Glenbard West


The middle hitter is a three-year starter. "Ananda is extremely athletic and is able to attack from all areas of the court. I can't wait to see her perform next season as a senior," said coach Pete Mastandrea, who took a 29-9 mark into the sectional finals this week. She led the team in blocks in each of the past three years and recorded a team-leading 306 kills heading into this postseason, where Glenbard West captured a sixth straight regional title.

Sarah Schank, Naperville Central

This senior outside hitter returns to the All-Area first team after piling up 405 kills, 62 service aces and 201 digs on the season for the 21-15 Redhawks. "Sarah is an exceptionally hardworking and competitive volleyball player. While some would consider her an undersized attacker, she plays well above her 5-foot-8 frame," coach Brie Isaacson said. She was all tournament at the Wheaton Classic and the Mizuno Cup and will play volleyball at Marshall University next fall.

Shannon Skyrd, Neuqua Valley

"Shannon showed tremendous growth from her junior year to her senior year in every aspect and was our offensive statistical leader throughout the season," coach Kelly Simon said of her senior outside hitter, selected to the all-tournament team for three out of four tourneys. The senior outside hitter played in all 78 sets for the Wildcats and had 231 kills, 34 blocks, 24 aces and 172 digs.

Tracy Westra, Timothy Christian

Carrying on the program's history of great setters, she had 404 assists this season and surpassed 1,000 total. The senior also had 46 aces, 90 kills, 16 blocks and 143 digs. "Tracy is a third-year varsity starter who has been an all-conference setter the last two years," coach Scott Piersma said of his setter, named MVP of the Metro Suburban Conference Red Division. This year she reached the 1,000-assist mark and had 90 kills while converting on nearly 60 percent of her attempts.

Maddy Wilkens, St. Francis

"Maddy is a fun player to watch. It takes a tremendous amount of athleticism to play middle and set," Spartans coach Lisa Ston said of her star senior. "She is our leading blocker and assist leader on our team, and she is No. 2 on our team in kill percentage. She is a positive leader on the court and simply a great kid." Wilkens, who had 111 kills, 26 aces, 107 blocks, 153 digs and 339 assists heading into the Class 4A sectionals, was all-tourney at the Crossroads Classic in Effingham as well at Plainfield Harvest Festival tourney.

Honorable mention

Gigi Barr, York, OH, fr.; Kailee Bass, Metea Valley, MH, sr.; Joslyn Boyer, Montini, setter, jr.; Sarah Burau, Wheaton Warrenville South, S/OH, so., Tyra Burton, Naperville North, OH/RS, sr.; Sarah Elliott, Glenbard East, OH, jr.; Allison Hamaker, Glenbard East, OH, so.; Addy Karmik, Downers Grove South, S/OPP, so.; Michelle Lee, Waubonsie Valley, libero, sr.; Maria Mayhew, Neuqua Valley, S/OPP, sr.; Zayna Meyer, Wheaton Warrenville South, setter, fr.; Mackenzie Miller, Fenton, setter, jr.; Nina Muell, Addison Trail, jr., OH; Maria Russo, St. Francis, DS, jr.; Katie Ryan, Glenbard West, libero, jr.; Ally VanEekeren, Benet, setter, jr.; Alex Vanwestrienen, Naperville Central, libero, jr.; Heidi Westra, Timothy Christian, MH/RS, jr.; Maggie Wilson, Hinsdale Central, libero, sr.; Ashley Zulauf, St. Francis, OH, jr.