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Boys Basketball

2021 Herald-News girls volleyball preview capsules

SouthWest Suburban Conference

Bolingbrook

Coach: Molly DeSerf (fourth season)

Last season’s record: 16-15

Top returners: Lauren Shroba, sr., OPP-OH, 5-9; Debbie Dinkel, sr., MB, 5-7; Ashleigh Curtiss, sr., PIN-DS, 5-6; Chloe Knaak, sr., S, 5-7; Kaylee Wnek, sr., L-DS, 5-2; Nicole Kadziola, sr., L-DS, 5-6

Key newcomers: Madison Shroba, so., OPP-OH, 5-10; Cydney Anderson, so., OPP-OH, 5-9; Chinenye Ifeajekwu, so., MB-PIN, 5-8

Worth noting: The Raiders return eight seniors with experience and a great group of sophomores will add to the depth of this team. They do lose Madison Reed in the middle as she is out for the season with an injury. The Raiders look forward to being very competitive against the top teams in the area.

Lincoln-Way Central

Coach: Mary Brown (sixth season)

Last season’s record: 18-17

Top returners: Rachel Kolodziej, sr., OH, 6-0; Kadynce Woodrum, sr., L, 5-7; Nicole Connolly, jr., OH, 5-8; Carli Udovich, jr., OH, 5-9; Brook Condon, jr., L, 5-7

Key newcomers: Mia Mattingly, so., MB, 6-1

Worth noting: The Knights are a young and improving team and Brown believes this team be very competitive in the SWSC.

Lincoln-Way East

Coach: Kris Fiore

Last season’s record: 27-10; lost in regional final

Top returners: Kaleigh Ritter, sr., L, 5-6; Ava Porada, sr., S, 5-7; Ali Sorenson, sr., MB, 6-3; Cierra Gardner, sr., OH, 5-7

Key newcomers: Julia Owczarzak, sr., OH-RS, 5-8; Ava Nepkin, so., OPP, 6-2; Jada James, so., MB-OH, 5-8

Worth noting: The Griffins return nine players from last season’s team, with five being on varsity since their freshman year. This is the most experience Fiore has coached on the girl’s team at East. With the addition of two talented sophomores in Nepkin and James, the Griffins expect to have a great season.

Lincoln-Way West

Coach: Kendall Villa

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Emma Young, sr., MB, 5-10; Mae Ladalski, sr., L, 5-5; Isabelle Been, jr., OH, 5-10; Amelia Gonzalez, jr., MB, 5-9

Key newcomers: Alexa Flores, so., S, 5-8

Worth noting: A very good mix between six seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores and are looking forward to get back on the court. The Warriors are excited for the opportunity to play, especially when they didn’t expect this season to happen.

Lockport

Coach: Nick Mraz (sixth season)

Last season’s record: 26-12; lost in sectional semi-finals

Top returners: Nadia Goich, sr., OPP-MB, 6-1; Lindsay Oldendorf, jr., OPP-MB, 6-2; Eliana Anselmo, sr., L, 5-4; Cameryn DeBlecourt, jr., S, 5-6

Key newcomers: Christian Bouie, jr., MB; Xeni Lavvas, jr., S; Aleksandra Simkus, so., OH; Grace Jurgens, so., OH

Worth noting: The Porters will be led by Goich, who has committed to the University of New Hampshire, with this being her third year as a starter in which the Porters have won two regional titles. They did lose their two-year starter setter in Dovile Gorys, who moved to Florida over the summer. They are inexperienced as a team this year, but do have key returning players that have been a part of the past two seasons in which the Porters have won 28 and 26 matches.

Southwest Prairie Conference

Joliet Central

Coach: Vivian Helwich (third season)

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Grace Hallihan, sr., MB; Alana Wendel, sr., RS; Casie Walsh, sr., L; Madison Miedona, jr., OH

Key newcomers: Celeste Zavala, jr., L-DS

Worth noting: The Steelmen have some experience coming back as this will be Hallihan’s fourth year as a varsity play and is committed to Joliet Junior College. The other three returners all have two years of varsity experience. They want to grow as a program this season and everyone is grateful to be able to compete and come together as a team.

Joliet West

Coach: Al Mart

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Brianne Doran, sr., DS; Olivia Ryan, jr., OH

Key newcomers: Four sophomores and four freshmen will add to the roster

Worth noting: Extremely young with only two returning players with varsity experience, but coach Mart’s team has talent with the eight sophomores and freshmen. This team will go through a learning curve but will compete.

Minooka

Coach: Carrie Prosek

Last season’s record: 32-8; lost to Benet in supersectionals

Top returners: Heidi Bonde, sr., OH, 6-4; Jada Hampton, jr., MB, 6-1

Key newcomers: Emma Harper, jr., OH, 6-0; Brooke Fuhr, jr., OH, 5-10; Anna Baranski, jr., S, 5-6; Ashley Currier, jr., S, 5-9

Worth noting: The Indians have only two starters returning from last season’s top eight team, but this perennial power just reloads. They will be led by one of the area’s top players in Bonde, who is committed to the University of Central Florida. Prosek likes this team and believes her junior group is very strong and others may think they will be down a bit; however, this program can never be taken lightly.

Plainfield Central

Coach: Robert Richardson IV (first season)

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Kerrigan Candra

Key newcomers: Kinsey Bakhus, so., S

Worth noting: Things will have a different look for the Wildcats this season, as Robert Richardson IV takes over as coach. Also missing for the first time in over four years will be Herald-News Player of the Year Taylor Landfair, who is making her mark as a freshman at the University of Minnesota. Central has four seniors, along with eight juniors and a sophomore on this season’s roster.

Plainfield North

Coach: Matt Slechta (third season)

Last season’s record: 31-7; regional champions

Top returners: Ella Wrobel, jr., OH, 6-4; Ariel Amaya, sr., OH, 6-0

Key newcomers: McKenna Clinton, sr., S, 5-7; Rachel Haubert, sr., OH, 5-10; Emma Callow, sr., OH, 5-9; Lauren Jensen, so., OH, 5-10; Victoria Bouska, so., MB, 6-0; Lizzie Fitzgerald, fr., S, 5-10

Worth noting: The Tigers lost five of seven starters from last season’s regional champion and will be a younger team this year; however, they return two of the top players in the area in Wrobel and Amaya, who will also play club this spring. But when these two are with the team, the Tigers will be a force is the tough SPC.

Romeoville

Coach: Shelby Pemble (second season)

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Lea Bunch, sr., L, 5-6; Samantha Bunch, jr., S-OH, 5-7; Jessica Cecci, jr., S-OH, 5-7; Savannah Anderson, sr., MB, 5-10

Key newcomers: Sophia Rivera, jr., OH-MB, 5-10; Savannah Vicory, so., MB, 5-9

Worth noting: The Spartans lost a key player in sophomore Chloe Anderson for the season with an injury, but will have diverse talents and use some unconventional lineups at times. Pemble likes the chemistry of this team, which will hopefully transfer to wins.

GCAC

Joliet Catholic Academy

Coach: Christine Scheibe (21st season)

Last season’s record: 26-15; Class 3A state runners-up

Top returners: Jillian Gray, sr., OH, 6-0; Emily Surin, sr., MB, 5-11; Ryan Hinshaw, sr., S, 5-9; Kristen Leuszler, sr., RS, 6-0; Isabelle Horkey, sr., S, 5-9; Riley Hungate, jr., OH, 5-9

Key newcomers: Alexis Mines, jr., OH, 5-11; Crystal Galaviz, OH-RS, 6-2

Worth noting: The Angels will be, yet again, one of the top teams in the state. Even with the loss of Emily Wilson, who will play club only, the Angels have talent, height and defensive players that make the offense go. They are led by Gray, who is committed to Georgia Southern, and one of the best players in the area. Add transfers Mines (Joliet West) and Galaviz (Romeoville) and has a team that can play with anyone.

Providence Catholic

Coach: Lee Rucinski (first season)

Last season’s record: 22-17; lost to Joliet Catholic in sectional finals

Top returners: Jules Warfield, jr., OH, 5-6; Abby Lab, sr., S, 5-8; Skye McGill, sr., S, 5-8; Vittoria Conte, sr., L, 5-4; Gillian Peterson, sr., OH, 5-8

Key newcomers: Unknown at press time

Worth noting: The Celtics have a veteran group returning, but also have to adjust to a new coach. With the returning experience, they should be very competitive in every match. Even though there is no state tournament, the Celtics are looking forward to a very successful season.

Illinois Central Eight

Coal City

Coach: Pam McMurtrey

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Colleen Feeney, sr., MB, 6-0; Jayda Mills, sr., OH, 5-7; Abby Payton, sr., OH, 5-8; Macaya Garner, jr., S, 5-6; Mia Rodriguez, jr., OH, 5-9

Peotone

Coach: Kathy Barger

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Lily-Grace Stupegia, sr., L, 5-3; Malya Sayre, jr., OH, 6-0; Grace Renier, sr., MB, 5-9; Abby Bostrom, sr., S, 5-7

Key newcomers: Amanda Hasse, jr., MB, 5-10; Emma Coffey, jr., OH, 5-6; Brooke Gwiazda, so., MB, 6-1.

Worth noting: The Blue Devils will be a very competitive this season with some solid returners with experience and the influx of the talented underclassmen.

Reed-Custer

Coach: Jen Patton (13th season)

Last season’s record: 16-21

Top returners: Madelyn McPherson, sr., OH, 5-9; Danielle Cherry, sr., S, 5-8; Jenna Tiangco, sr., OH, 5-6; Emma Ritze, sr., L, 5-3; Madi Bradley, sr., MB, 5-8; Hannah Coster, sr., MB, 5-8; Allie Shaw, sr., RS, 5-8; Abrey Ricketts, sr., RS, 5-5

Key newcomers: Not available

Worth noting: This senior-laden team will be very strong offensively, are very smart, have experience and work extremely well together. The Comets are looking forward to a successful season for this group of seniors.

Wilmington

Coach: Laura Wakefield (fifth season)

Last season’s record: Not available

Top returners: Alyssa Ohlund, sr., OH, 5-10; Rebecca Horton, sr., OH, 5-7

Key newcomers: Leah Talley, jr., L, 5-6; Jessica Castle, jr., RS, 5-9

Worth noting: Wakefield will be working with a great group of seniors on this Ladycats team. With some new faces on the varsity level, they are excited to get the season rolling.

Interstate 8

Morris

Coach: Scott Howell (first season)

Last season’s record: 19-17

Top returners: Kaylie Adams, sr., OH, 5-7; Kennedy Dransfeldt, sr., OH, 5-9; Jada Less, sr., S, 5-4; Karrina Riley, sr., DS, 5-6

Key newcomers: Katherine Halcomb, jr., MB, 5-9; Alyssa Schultz, jr., S, 5-5

Worth noting: The Redskins have a strong group of returning players, led by All-Conference selection Dransfeldt and Adams. With no state tournament, this team hopes to improve on their fourth-place conference finish from a season ago.

Sangamon Valley

Seneca

Coach: Noah Champene (third season)

Last season’s record: 30-8; lost in sectional semifinals

Top returners: Madison Bromberek, sr., MB, 6-1; Brooklyn Giertz, sr., S, 5-7; Addie Bland, sr., OPP-OH, 5-8

Key newcomers: Emma Smith, jr., MB, 5-10; Zoe Hougas, jr., OH, 5-7

Worth noting: Experience for the Lady Irish will be the key factor this season, as they have nine returning seniors. The team will be led by Bromberek, a Joliet Junior College commit, along with Giertz, who is a multi-sport standout in basketball and track. They are excited about the season, but disappointed that no postseason play will occur after losing in the sectional semifinals a season ago.