High school girls volleyball: Previewing teams from around the Suburban Life area

The girls volleyball season started this week. Here are previews of teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.

BENET

Coach: Brad Baker

Last season: 41-1, won Class 4A state title

Top returners: Rachel Muisenga, sr., S; Kyla Kenney, sr., OH; Caroline Doyle, sr., L; Ann Marie Remmes, jr., M; Daria Rodriguez, sr., OH

Key newcomers: Anna Eschenbach, so., MH

Worth noting: The Redwings return five starters from last season’s team that won the Class 4A state championship. Two of them – Muisenga and Kenney – are four-year varsity players. Muisenga, a 6-foot-1 Penn State recruit and Illinois Player of the Year candidate, had 696 assists and 93 kills last season and is one of the most dynamic setters in Benet’s storied history. Kenney, an Indiana commit, was second on Benet in kills last season with 247. Doyle, committed to Elon, had 81 digs last season and fills the big shoes at libero left by graduated Suburban Life Player of the Year Hattie Monson. Remmes led Benet in blocks as a sophomore. Baker said Benet also has several underclassmen who have a chance to be special.

“Our overall depth is some of the best we have ever had,” Baker said. “This year’s senior class has been a special group.”

DOWNERS GROVE NORTH

Coach: Mark Wasik (12th season)

Last season: 22-17, 4-2 West Suburban Silver

Top returners: Madi Cuchran, sr., L; Gwen Wolkow, jr., OH; Jacki Lucas, sr., OH; Sandi Brindl, jr., S; Sophie Rodriguez, sr., DS/L; Grace Beacom, jr., RS/S

Worth noting: The Trojans were on the younger side in 2019 and really hit their stride at the end of the season when Downers Grove North handed Lyons its only conference loss, won a regional and upset York to advance to the sectional final. Every starter in Downers Grove North’s lineup received major playing time last season, which would have set up for a deep playoff run in a normal season. Cuchran, who will play collegiately at Michigan, has nearly 1,100 digs for her career. Wolkow, one of the state’s leaders in kills last season with 410, is committed to Campbell. Returning outside hitter Lucas had 176 kills last season. Brindl led the team at the McAuley Challenge last season when the Trojans’ senior setter was injured. Rodriguez anchors the defense and serve-receive. Beacom, a starter as a sophomore, will move into a more prominent role given her setting and attacking skills.

“Given we get to play an intraconference schedule that includes both WSC Gold and Silver teams, we look forward to challenging every team we face,” Wasik said.

DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH

Coach: Kristina Toth (third season)

Last season: 16-10, 6-0 West Suburban Gold, first place

Top returners: Alyssa Fountain, sr., OH/OPP; Lily Ross, sr., OH; Kayden Dempsey, jr., OH; Holley Kaczmarek, sr., DS/L; Alessa Andresen, jr., DS/L

Worth noting: The Mustangs, coming off a regional championship, look to build upon that success with a more balanced attack. The leadership and continuity is in place to have success. Downers Grove South returns three starters at the pins in Fountain, Ross and Dempsey. Replacing setter Addy Karmik, now a freshman at Wisconsin-Green Bay, will be the biggest question heading into the season. The Mustangs will turn to a combination of senior Austin Davis and juniors Jenna Majchrzak, Kaitlyn Berryman and Ariel Hoskin to replace Karmik.

“With a slew of first-year varsity players competing to fill the holes left by last year’s seniors, this roster provides more depth and lineup flexibility than last year’s team,” Toth said. “We anticipate playing a sound defensive game with a balanced attack.”

GLENBARD EAST

Coach: Marci Maier (19th season)

Last season: 14-22, 6-3 Upstate Eight Conference

Top returners: Becca Honig, sr., S; Madison Manning, so., OH; Emily Ryan, sr., M; Cassie Schweikle, sr., OH; Kendall Crackel, sr., OH; Riley Alstott, sr., S; Lauren Huber, sr., OPP: Julia Slusher, sr., L; Aubrey Wendorff, sr., M.

Key newcomer: Keri Hrouda, jr., OH

Worth noting: The Rams return nine girls from last year – Honig, Manning, Ryan, Schweikle, Crackel, Alstott, Huber, Slusher and Wendorff. Glenbard East has many multiple-sport athletes juggling overlapping seasons, including basketball standout Huber.

“Due to athletes coming and going, we are looking to build as the season progresses,” Maier said. “We hope our experience will help carry us a bit at the beginning of the season.”

GLENBARD SOUTH

Coach: Chad Grant (10th season)

Last season: 17-19, 7-2 Upstate Eight Conference, second place

Top returners: Brittany Miller, jr., OH; Coco Stachnik, jr., L; Alex Wilharm, sr., MB

Key newcomers: Amelia Lake, so., DS; Sofia Alcala, fr., MB

Worth noting: The Raiders are fairly young, with just three seniors on the roster. Glenbard South doesn’t have a lot of size, so defense and serving will be critical for success. Brittany Miller, who had 92 kills, 18 aces and 141 digs last season, has made great strides in the offseason. Her sister, Abby Miller, will step into the starting setter role. Stachnik had 145 digs and 21 aces as a sophomore. Wilharm had 91 kills and 41 blocks last season as a solid blocker who makes very few errors on offense. Alcala is a talented multi-sport athlete with a bright future; she’s also a varsity basketball and soccer player. A tough nonconference schedule early on that includes Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard West, St. Francis and Rosary should get the Raiders ready for the Upstate Eight slate where some of the toughest matches are in the early part of the schedule.

“I have seen a lot of improvement so far in the first week,” Grant said. “I’m excited to see this team continue to grow.”

GLENBARD WEST

Coach: Pete Mastandrea

Last season: 18-19, 2-4

Top returners: Emorey Kennebeck, sr., M; Maeve Campanella, sr., DS; Natalie Charintranond, sr., DS; Demi Carpio, so., DS

Key newcomers: Liz Murray, so., DS; Katherine Creswell, so., S

Worth noting: The Hilltoppers are looking to rebound after posting the program’s first losing season since 2006, Mastandrea’s first year as head coach. Since then, Glenbard West has won six conference championships, six regional titles, two sectionals and took second at state in 2015. “We weren’t at that level last year. It was a hiccup, a stubbed toe, a bump in the road,” Mastandrea said. “We’re determined to get back as soon as possible.” Kennebeck, second on the Hilltoppers in blocks as a junior, is a two-year starter who at 6-foot provides a presence at the net. Campanella, a three-year starter, played libero last season and was a defensive specialist before that season. Mastandrea is high on Murray, who he said plays for Sports Performance’s top team.

“We think we have a nice quality mix of senior leadership and young talent,” Mastandrea said. “We’re young at some positions, but we’re not looking to the fall. The future for us is now.”

HINSDALE CENTRAL

Coach: Lisa Tazelaar (first season)

Last season: 15-19, 3-3 West Suburban Silver, fourth place

Top returners: Brooke Cooper, sr., OH; Nikolette Nedic, sr., OH; Alyssa Lim, sr., S; Lauren Borhani, jr., OH

Key newcomers: Elizabeth Sessa, fr., RS; Val Wilson, sr., DS/L; Hannah Seymour, sr., DS/L; Kaitlyn Thick, so., OH/RS/MB; Belle McCarthy, sr., MB

Worth noting: Tazelaar, who coached in District 86 at Hinsdale South from 2005-2016 and led the Hornets to their only state tournament appearance in 2006 and five straight West Suburban Gold titles from 2009-2013, was hired as the Red Devils’ coach in March 2020. She takes over a program with a strong senior class, many of whom have competed on varsity since they were freshmen. Tazelaar thinks Hinsdale Central should be strong on the pins with Cornell recruit Cooper and Northern Illinois commit Nedic. Tazelaar is counting on Lim to be the glue that holds it together, and said Borhani looks really dynamic after a strong club season. Sessa could see significant time as a freshman, and Thick could play a key role returning from an injury.

“I believe my seniors are ready to leave the senior legacy and make this program a winning program and one that can compete for the conference title year after year,” Tazelaar said.

HINSDALE SOUTH

Coach: Stephanie Brezwyn (second season)

Last season: 16-21, 4-2 West Suburban Gold, third place

Top returners: Cheli Ayala, so., L; Amelia Brennan, sr., MH; Mattea Collier, sr., OH; Sara Prueter, jr., OH; Brigid Rudolph, sr., S

Key newcomers: Abranet Layne, jr., MH; Madison Tsui, sr., S

Worth noting: This is Brezwyn’s 10th total season at Hinsdale South. Ayala, Brennan, Collier, Prueter and Rudolph lead the returning players.

“We are going to be playing only West Suburban Conference teams this year. We are excited to see more opponents on the other side of the conference than we normally get to see,” Brezwyn said. “We look forward to being able to have a season!”

IC CATHOLIC PREP

Coach: Nancy Kerrigan (seventh season)

Last season: 27-12, 4-3 Metro Suburban Blue, fourth place

Top returners: Sophie Hurt, sr., S; Kristen Brachmann, sr., MB; Jess Sobon, sr., OH; Claire Wagner, jr., OH; Maddie Benson, sr., DS

Key newcomers: Ava Falduto, fr., L/DS; Isabella Muti, jr., OPP

Worth noting: The Knights will lean on the strength of their senior class. Hurt and Brachmann are four-year varsity starters. Hurt, recently committed to Northern Illinois, had 651 assists, 184 digs and 59 aces as a junior. Brachmann had 70 kills, 73 digs, 19 blocks and 24 aces. Also back are outsides Sobon and Wagner, who combined for more than 700 kills last season. The addition of freshman defensive standout Falduto will allow the Knights to continue their tradition of strong defense and ball control.

LEMONT

Coach: Chris Zogata (20th season)

Last season: 30-8, 13-0 South Suburban Blue, first place

Top returners: Amanda Rice, sr., OH; Mary Kate Arundel, sr., MH; Hannah Niklewicz, sr., OH; Paige Connolly, sr., S

Worth noting: Lemont last season won conference and regional titles before losing to eventual Class 3A runner-up Joliet Catholic in sectionals. Rice, a North Carolina State recruit, had 248 kills, 19 digs and 40 blocks last season. Zogata said Rice has come back much stronger after a good club season and the “sky is the limit” as she matures into a leader and with setters able to get her the ball. Arundel, a three-year varsity starter who had 90 kills, 82 blocks and 14 digs last season, brings steadiness in the middle. Zogata said she is a quiet leader on and off the court. Niklewicz, who had 154 kills, 37 digs and 12 aces last season, will be taking on much of the outside hitting responsibilities and has improved her passing and defense. Connolly takes over the setting duties from graduated standout Amy Schwem. Connolly had 57 aces and 25 digs last season as a server and defender.

“With players maturing and now having a year of experience under their belt, I feel the seniors will show great leadership and the juniors will show more maturity,” Zogata said. “With our normal good defense, tough serving and improved maturity on offense, I believe Lemont is in a great position to do great things this season.”

LYONS TOWNSHIP

Coach: Jill Keeve

Last season: 23-13, 5-1 West Suburban Silver, first place

Top returners: Tia Kostic, jr., MB; Adriana Vassek, jr., OH; Molly Corrough, sr., OH; Lydia Vulich, sr., DS

Key newcomers: Kamryn Lee-Caracci, so., OH/MB; Alana Palter, jr., DS

Worth noting: The Lions last season won the West Suburban Silver and reached a regional final. Kostic averaged 4.8 kills and 2 blocks per match. Vassek averaged 5.5 kills and 5 digs per match.

“We are looking forward to a competitive season within the West Suburban Conference,” Keeve said. “With our positive senior leadership, LT is looking to gain momentum this spring by incorporating our new varsity athletes with strong varsity returners.”

MONTINI

Coach: Trish Samolinski (first season)

Last season: 27-12

Top returners: Paige Pickering, jr., OH; Maddie Kasallis, jr., MB; Reeghan Boyer, jr., L; Nora Sypkens, sr., OH

Key newcomer: Jordan Heatherly, so., S

Worth noting: Samolinski, who also coaches the 1st Alliance 16 Silver club team, takes over as coach of a well-balanced, physical Montini team with depth at each position. The 2019 team won the program’s third straight regional title and advanced to a sectional final. “Most of them have been playing together on varsity for the last couple years so we are hoping to continue the team chemistry,” Samolinski said. Heatherly will be a key component in running the Broncos’ offense and attacking. Samolinski is counting on senior leadership from Sypkens and high-level play from Kasallis, Pickering and Boyer.

“Returning our two primary passers in Pickering and Boyer, we look forward to running a quick-tempo offense with our consistent ball control,” Samolinski said.

NAZARETH

Coach: Melissa Vandrey (fifth season)

Last season: 29-8, 4-3 East Suburban Conference, fourth place

Top returners: Izzy Decker, sr., OH; Katie Hurta, jr., S/RS; Gillian Grimes, jr., Ivy Schoditsch, jr., MB

Key newcomers: Paige Barnes, sr., OH; Lauren Salata, fr., S/RS

Worth noting: The Roadrunners have emerged as a top volleyball program with 60 wins over the past two seasons and the program’s first state appearance in 2019 with a third-place finish in Class 3A. Decker, a Davidson recruit, had 301 kills and 239 digs last season and will again carry the offense with Indiana commit Hurta, who had 383 kills and 200 digs. Grimes, returning for her third varsity season as one of the state’s better liberos, had 428 digs last season. Salata is a newcomer that Vandrey is excited about who fits into the Nazareth mold of players who excel at several skills.

“We are dominated by upperclassman so it will be a very high IQ team, especially with senior star and leader Izzy Decker. The team will have very good ball control,” Vandrey said. “Naz will be a very high-energy team that will be able to compete with just about anyone in 3A and the state of Illinois.”

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD

Coach: Mary Pakosta (second season)

Last season: 11-25, 1-6, eighth place Metro Suburban Blue

Top returners: Colette Barnes, jr., OH; Mckenna Sloan, sr., L; Annalisa Cinkay, sr., OH; Emeli Romo, jr., S

Key newcomer: Sophia Cuzzone, so., OH

Worth noting: The Bulldogs are moving to the Metro Suburban Red this season. Pakosta, in her 12th season in the program, noted that R-B’s young team last season played quite a difficult schedule with five opponents reaching supersectionals, Mother McAuley making a sectional final and two more winning regionals. Barnes was the Bulldogs’ offensive MVP last season and an all-conference pick with 190 kills, a team-high 43 aces and 142 digs, second on R-B. Sloan was the defensive MVP with a team-high 244 digs. Cinkay, the team’s leading blocker last season, is moving from middle to outside. Romo, second on R-B in aces last season, will run a 5-1 offense this season. The Bulldogs will only play teams in the Metro Suburban during the shortened season.

“The Bulldogs will likely find themselves right in the middle of the conference at the end of the season,” Pakosta said.

ST. FRANCIS

Coach: Lisa Ston (fifth season)

Last season: 27-13, 9-1 conference, second place

Top returners: Katlyn Sipes, sr., L; Claire Connelly, sr., DS; Olivia Hojnicki, sr., MB/RS; Jessica Schmidt, so., MB; Nora Los, jr., MB

Key newcomers: Shay McMillen, fr., OH; Anna Paquette, fr., OH; KK Dumpit, fr., S

Worth noting: The Spartans last season won their second straight sectional title, losing the supersectional match to Nazareth. Ston is in her 21st season as a coach at St. Francis. The Spartans are missing three potential starters because of injuries. Ston expects the team to be solid defensively. Sipes, committed to Division I Seattle, and Connelly are explosive and get a great read on the ball. St. Francis has young talent at the pins with freshmen McMillen and Paquette.

“I am excited to see this group compete and grow,” Stone said. “They have put in the work in the offseason and it is showing.”

TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN

Coach: Scott Piersma (eighth season).

Last season: 17-22.

Top Returners: Alli Myers, sr., L; Campbell Marshall, sr., S; Hannah Schuringa, sr., OH; Greta Hoogstra, sr., M.

Worth noting: The Trojans last year won a Class 2A sectional championship after playing a tough schedule filled with 3A and 4A teams ... Timothy Christian returns the core of its players, minus one DS ... Third-year varsity setter Marshall, committed to Dordt University, will miss the first three weeks after a surgery, but should be back after spring break ... Myers is playing collegiately at Bethel, Hoogstra at Colgage.

“It’s sad that this team won’t get a chance to defend their sectional championship and make a run at going down state,” Piersma said. “It’s nice to know that Hannah, Alli, and Greta all step right back into the roles they played last year.  We’re looking for dominating performances from all four of those ladies during the year.”

WHEATON NORTH

Coach: Carole Kristensen (24th season)

Last season: 8-27, 2-5 DuKane Conference

Top returners: Isabella Zinkus, jr., S; Zoe Morano, sr., L/DS

Key newcomers: Caitlyn Johnson, jr., MH; Ella Brend, jr., L; Paige Syswerda, so., S; Isabel Phillips, jr., MH;OH

Worth noting: Kristensen, who has won six regional titles in a head coaching career that started in 1997, is in her last year coaching. She likes this team’s unity through ups and downs, a group not stressed about who is going to play but that they give it their all for each other and for the team aspect. Returning setter Zinkus comes back stronger and more decisive. Morano’s strength is her leadership and court sense. Kristensen said Johnson’s court awareness and volleyball IQ is “phenomenal,” and Brendt “passes the ball on a dime and is the leader of defense and strategy.”

“Hope it’s a good last season for me and the team,” Kristensen said. “I know no matter what the results are, it’s been a fabulous run and I’ve had a great career as a Falcon.”

WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH

Coach: Bill Schreier (20th season)

Last season: 33-9

Top returners: Lizzie Chiesa, sr., OH; Darby Harris, jr., S; Zayna Meyer, sr., OH.

Key newcomers: Lilly King; Rebecca Bellows

Worth noting: The Tigers last season made quite a memorable run, taking second place in the state in Class 4A and matching a program record for wins. Chiesa will look to pick up where she left off after a sensational 10-kill performance in last season’s state semifinals. A pleasant surprise last year, Chiesa has continued her exponential growth in the offseason and will be looked upon to carry some of the offensive load early this season. Harris, a two-year starting libero who owns the WW South record for career digs, is switching to her normal position of setter. Schreier said “she will be the engine that gets us going.” Meyer led the Tigers in kills last year.

“We will go through some growing pains early as we will be younger than we were last year, but the talent in the gym cannot be denied,” Schreier said.

WILLOWBROOK

Coach: Irene Mason (fourth season)

Last season: 20-16, 3-3 West Suburban Gold, fourth place

Top returners: Grace Reckamp, sr., S/OPP; Katie Linnig, jr., S; Stephanie Dasbach, sr., MB; Elizabeth Bruschuk, jr., L; Natalie Cipriano, so., OH/OPP

Key newcomer: Calli Kenny, fr., S/OPP

Worth noting: Because of club volleyball practices and basketball season, the Warriors haven’t been able to have a full team practice yet, but Mason is looking forward to having the whole team together working hard this week. She said that a team strength should be experience, with a core group of players who have played a significant amount of high-level volleyball. Reckamp is committed to play in college at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

“Our team will work hard defensively and compete every time we step out on the court,” Mason said. “I expect our returning players to lead the group and play with confidence.”

YORK

Coach: Patty Iverson

Last season: 29-8, 4-2 West Suburban Silver, second place

Top returners: Gigi Barr, sr., OH; Emily Fleckenstein, sr., S/OPP; sr., Grace Meadows, sr., S/OPP; Katie Norgle, sr., OH/L; Elise Pedote, sr., L/DS

Key newcomers: Ella Contant, jr., MB; Lexie Sidoryk, jr., MB; Madeline Mountcastle, jr., S; Ella Lawton, jr. OH; Olivia Holubowicz, jr.

Worth noting: The Dukes return 10 seniors from a team that in 2019 won the program’s 10th regional title since 2007, so there’s a ton of experience. Barr, who will play in college at Yale, had 478 kills last season and is over 1,000 for her career. She also had 268 digs and 46 blocks last season. Fleckenstein, committed to Maryland-Baltimore County, had 679 assists and 232 digs. Meadows, a William Jewell recruit, had 152 assists and 102 digs. Norgle had 292 digs and 186 kills. Pedote had 314 digs. Seniors Kayla Rask, Sophia Hohman and Olivia Shorter will step in to provide some attacking, and seniors Bryce Bukowski and Raeba Pradhan will provide defensive support.

“We have a lot of experience and the girls work very well together with a lot of mutual respect,” Iverson said. “This season is very special to them. I am hoping to provide a safe and healthy place for our volleyball players to celebrate the chance to play volleyball together and compete in a limited season against WSC teams. They really need this and right now they are incredibly happy to be playing together each day.”