David Pazely was looking forward to coaching Carmel’s talented senior class this spring.
That group suffered a big loss before the long-delayed and truncated season started this month.
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Carmel senior Annie Bart, a three-year varsity starter at outside hitter, was ruled out for the season with a back injury. The Binghamton recruit was a key player for the past two seasons, compiling 245 kills, 212 digs, 22 blocks, 18 aces and 14 aces in 2019 and 240 kills, 183 digs, 35 blocks and 25 aces in 2018.
But Pazely said the Corsairs are determined to be competitive after winning 33 matches last season.
“Our returning seniors are going to step into roles they haven’t had to in the past and keep this year’s team strong and competitive,” Pazely said. “Our offense will need to find creative ways to side-out, but our defense will be stronger than ever. We are excited for these new opportunities.”
Senior outside hitter Riley Clark, a North Central College recruit, steps into a bigger role. Junior libero Milana Moisio, a third-year starter, is another player Pazely is counting on to be a leader.
Junior setter Julia Shrofe, a second-year varsity player, benefited from the long offseason. She missed part of her sophomore season with a knee injury.
“We will need to focus on a few things to be successful,” Pazely said. “We will need to serve aggressively to get teams out of system. We will need to pass well in serve receive to kick-start our offense, and we will need to mix up our offense to stay balanced and unpredictable.
“We know Riley Clark, Ally DiBartolo and Sydney Rini are ready to step up as seniors.”
Libertyville full of talent: Libertyville brings back six starters after winning 29 matches, tying for first place in the North Suburban Conference and reaching a Class 4A supersectional last season.
Coach Greg Loika said senior outside hitters Ella Schaffnit and Kellie Hopper, along with seniors Olivia Sauers and Alannah Howell, are key returnees.
But the Wildcats also suffered an unexpected loss when setter Peyton O’Brien, the 2019 News-Sun Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, decided to graduate early and enroll at Syracuse in January. O’Brien had 655 assists, 124 kills, 59 blocks and 135 digs last season.
“We’ll be super experienced on defense and on the pins,” Loika said. “We have the weaponry to be lethal from all over the court, which will make us hard to defend. With two new setters at the helm, it will be their goal to work with our hitters to keep defenses off guard and find the hot hitters when we need to score points. With great defense and steady passing, we’ll be tough to defend in system. Out of system, Hopper and Schaffnit can score from anywhere as well.”
Bell and Ceneac lead Lakes: Lakes will rely on a strong group of seniors to defend its Northern Lake County Conference title.
Lakes coach Sarah Yeager said Devinn Bell, Paula Ceneac, Molly Reuland, Megan Maloney and Allison Stover are her key returnees. Bell had 663 assists, 80 kills and 44 aces last season.
“We will look to Devinn to provide leadership both on and off the court,” Yeager said. “She has a high volleyball IQ, which will allow her to effectively run our offense and provide opportunities for our hitters to get in one-on-one situations.
“Paula is an exciting player to watch in the front row. She’s dynamic in her approach to the ball and can really elevate. We will look to her as one of our key players both offensively and defensively with her strong blocking skills. Molly provides great energy on the court. She has a powerful arm swing and will be one of the players that we look to in big moments.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.