The DuPage County Girls Volleyball All-Area Team
Gigi Barr, York
The junior outside hitter improved on last year's solid season to earn first-team honors again for a Dukes team that went 29-9 and took in the WSC Silver. She reached 1,000 varsity kills last month and finished the year with 478. Barr also recorded 25 aces, 36 blocks and 268 digs. "Gigi is very driven and works her hardest whether we're in practice or a game. She is very determined to improve her level of play every time she steps on the court," coach Patty Iverson said.
Maddie Bylak, Naperville Central
This outside hitter helped give the Redhawks a potent attack that powered them to 28 victories and a regional title. The two-year varsity starter earned all-DuPage Valey Conference honors twice and four times was named to all-tournament teams. Bylak pounded out 346 kills in her senior season and also had 246 digs, 28 blocks and 16 aces. "Maddie has been a consistent force for us for two years," coach Brie Isaacson said. "She carried a big load for us and found great success doing it."
Sarah Burau, WW South
The 6-foot senior setter, headed to Lehigh, recorded 875 assists prior to the sectional round - second most by a Tiger in a season - and set the all-time record, breaking the mark held by WW South Hall of Famer and USA National Team member Laura Davis. After opening in a 6-2, the team went to a 5-1 attack run by Burau and is now downstate. "She has been an integral part of the resurgence of WW South volleyball," coach Bill Schreier said of Burau, who added 96 kills, 215 digs and 48 solo blocks.
Anna Calcagno, St. Francis
A four-year starter and three-time all-Metro Suburban Conference honoree, this hard-swinging outside hitter finished with 923 varsity kills, 72 aces, 146 blocks and 462 digs. Her strong 2019 campaign included 432 kills, 40 blocks and 188 digs for the Spartans. "Anna has been the difference maker for us this season. She plays with fire and excitement. She has the ability to change the momentum of the game, and leads by example and is a true competitor," coach Lisa Ston said of the Marshall University recruit.
Kayla Closset, Naperville Central
After recording 485 kills and 313 digs for the Redhawks' regional champions, the senior outside hitter was an easy repeat selection to the All-Area team. Twice an all-DuPage Valley Conference selection, Closset was named to all-tournament teams five times. "She has been an offensive and defensive threat for us for the past three years," Isaacson said of the three-year starter. "She is exceptionally hard working and a true leader both on and off the floor." Her all-around game included 31 aces, 24 blocks and a 2.21 passing rating in 2019.
Madison Cuchran, Downers Grove North
Verbally committed to Michigan, the junior libero was stellar all year long for the Trojans defense. "I don't think we would have won half the matches we did without Madison's skills," coach Mark Wasik said. "She is a really smooth player who reads well and is able to control the outcome of a match through her strong defense, serve receive and all-around ball-control skills." Cuchran led the team with 558 digs, tied for the most aces with 37, added 88 assists and had a 95% serve-receive percentage.
Jessica D'Ambrose, Addison Trail
A four-year varsity starter and three-year team captain, this senior outside hitter is a repeat All-Area selection and finished with 649 kills, 939 digs, 167 aces and 103 assists for the Blazers. "She is the engine of our team and shapes our team identity to be profoundly disruptive of the notion of physical attributes you wish you could have when building a competitive volleyball team," said coach Dan Styler, noting that his leader plays much bigger than her 5-foot-6 frame.
Sophie Gregus, Benet
On a loaded Redwings team featuring an elite libero and an elite setter, this senior outside hitter is often overlooked. That is until opponents are faced with her powerful attacks. Healthy this year and headed to the University of Illinois next year, Gregus takes a team-leading 244 kills into the state finals. "Sophie has brought a dynamic attack to our offense this year. Very rarely have we had an outside hitter that touches the high that she does," coach Brad Baker said. "Add in her fast arm and she is a girl that every team has to account for."
Anna Jaworski, Naperville North
With this talented junior setter running the offense, a young Huskies team battled every opponent and started strong from day one this fall. With 728 assists, 191 digs, 57 kills, 49 aces and 25 blocks, she was selected as the team MVP and picked up all-DuPage Valley Conference recognition. "Anna is a talented setter who ran a 5-1 for us this season," Huskies coach Jen Urban said. "She is a selfless leader who brings out the best in her teammates. Anna is a fearless competitor who elevates the level of play in the gym."
Faith Johnson, Neuqua Valley
One of the most powerful hitters in the state, the Wildcats' three-year starter on the outside recorded 347 kills for the co-DuPage Valley Conference champion and will play next year at the University of Akron. "Faith is a phenomenal athlete, a fierce competitor and her teammates respect her ability to be a force every time she steps onto the court," coach Kelly Simon said. "Every team targets Faith because they know what an impact player she is for our team."
Kaitlyn Hurka, Hinsdale South
This four-year varsity starter developed into a great leader on and off the court for the Hornets. The senior outside hitter finished the season with 26 service aces, 265 kills, 15 solo blocks and 280 digs, and was selected for the all-West Suburban Gold team for the second consecutive year. "Kaitlyn really developed into a go-to player for us this year and was a key member of our offense," coach Stephanie Brezwyn said of her team captain.
Addy Karmik, Downers Grove South
With this four-year varsity starter running the offense, the Mustangs went 6-0 in conference and won a regional title. A three-year team captain, nationally recognized setter and three-time all-West Suburban Gold, she made the all-Rich East tournament team the last three years. Karmik is headed to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay after a senior year that saw her record 392 assists, 143 digs, 53 aces and 37 kills. "Addy has led the program by running a 5-1 the past three years and is a leader in the area in assists," coach Kristina Toth said.
Zayna Meyer, WW South
This 6-foot-1 elite junior setter is committed to BYU but this year moved to the outside and helped the Tigers earn a state finals berth this weekend. Heading into the sectional she had already recorded 405 kills (second best in program history) 48 aces, 310 digs and 45 solo blocks. "Zayna has made the ultimate sacrifice this season, forgoing her current position for one that will help out the team the best," Schreier said. "She was willing to switch to outside hitter and do what would give the team the best chance for success after having been a setter/opposite for the two previous seasons."
Maddie Meyers, Glenbard North
"Although our win-loss records don't mirror those of other area teams, I would argue that all of our success in the last four years is due to her impact on the court and as a leader," Panthers coach Leah Hardy said of the senior outside hitter. The four-year varsity starter filled a need at setter as a freshman but still managed a school-record varsity high in kills, notching her 1,000th winner at the Lake Park tournament. Meyers will play at William and Mary next fall.
Hattie Monson, Benet
"We knew she was special," coach Brad Baker said of the All-Area team captain, a defensive specialist as a freshman before taking the libero spot and owning it for three years. "She's played a lot of volleyball for a really long time. She really makes reads that other people her age don't. So mentally she's ahead of your normal high school kids … she's just seen more volleyball and played more volleyball than basically anyone her age." Heading into Friday's state semifinals Monson had 350 digs, 5 kills, 22 aces and 95 assists.
Rachel Muisenga, Benet
The junior setter's all-around stellar play has powered the Redwings downstate a second straight year, and she'll get one more chance in 2020 before heading off to Penn State. "Rachel is one of the most dynamic setters we have ever had," Baker said. "Her tempo and set placement are at a different level for a junior in high school. The state of Illinois has produced some of the best setters ever, and when Rachel's career is over I expect her to be among those greats." She takes the court tonight against Marist with 675 assists, 89 kills, 44 blocks, 31 aces and 165 digs so far.
Tess Noonan, Montini
The Broncos program has been top notch each of the last three seasons with the senior setter running a strong 5-1 offense, often connecting with outside hitter Paige Pickering to set up a winner. Over that time Montini has gone 77-29 with three regional championships and three trips to the sectional finals. The two-time all-GCAC and three-time all-academic team member in the GCAC ended this season with 976 assists, 24 aces, 65 kills and 181 digs.
Sophie Hurt, IC Catholic Prep
The Knights are looking forward to one more season of Hurt setting the offense after a solid junior campaign saw her put up these numbers: 651 assist, 8.1 assists a set, 59 service aces and 184 digs. "Sophie has emerged as one of the best setters in the area," coach Nancy Kerrigan said. "She has been running a 5-1 for us since her freshman year and has steadily matured in her game and command of the floor. She is the type of setter that makes her attackers better with her consistency and ability to put the ball right where they need it."
Melissa Walden, Waubonsie Valley
The Texas A&M recruit led the Warriors to a share of the DuPage Valley Conference crown and the program's first sectional finals berth since 2006. The senior setter recorded 335 assists, 223 digs, 213 kills, 63 blocks and 35 aces, and her strong all-around game earned her MVP honors in the DVC. "Melissa has consistently run our offense since her freshman year. She is always evaluating her opponents to figure out the best options to run in each of our rotations and is easily able to adjust to the needs of each of her teammates and make adjustments quickly," coach Kari Galen said.
Schuyler Williams, Wheaton Academy
A talented hitter and passer, the Warriors junior setter/outside hitter decided on playing at Howard University in 2021 after being recruited and visiting several Division I colleges and programs. In 2019 she averaged 8.2 kills, 12 assists and 7 digs a match. "Schuyler has been the backbone of our team. She carries a lot of responsibility setting, passing and hitting outside for our team this year," coach D.A. Nichols said. She was named Metro Suburban Conference Red Division MVP this year.
Honorable mention
Kaileigh Ammons, Wheaton Warrenville South, MH, sr.; Stella Barr, York, MH, jr.; Amee Beedle, Wheaton North, OH, sr.; Payton Ceh, Willowbrook, libero, sr.; Gabi Croll, Waubonsie Valley, OH, sr.; Virginia Curtis, Glenbard West, OH, sr.; Ellie Hall, Naperville North, MB, jr.; Becca Honig, Glenbard East, setter, jr.; Greta Hoogstra, Timothy Christian, MH, jr.; Bailey Houlihan, Neuqua, libero, sr.; Kyla Kenney, Benet, OH, jr,; Julia Marciniak, Montini, OPP, sr.; Taylor O'Malley, Neuqua, OH, sr.; Paige Pickering, Montini, OH, soph.; Morgan Rank, Metea Valley, libero, so.; Katlyn Sipes, St. Francis, libero, jr.; Lilly Smith, West Chicago, OH, sr.; Jess Sobon, IC Catholic Prep, OH, jr; Peyton Weber, Hinsdale Central, libero, sr.; Gwendolyn Wolkow, Downers Grove North, OH, so.