Libertyville and Warren follow North Suburban Conference rival Stevenson in the rankings. Will they chase the Patriots too?
Top 10 Teams
1. Stevenson (24-12): The Patriots bring back five players from their rotation and 92% of their offensive output after finishing tied for second in the North Suburban Conference. They have 10 seniors, including two Division I recruits. Senior outside hitter Mija Jegers (Iona), senior outside hitter Brynn Smith (Northeastern), junior outside hitter Ava Wysocki, senior setter Rachel Shin and senior middle hitter Cayla Weisner lead the way.
2. Libertyville (22-11): The Wildcats will try to defend their NSC title behind the experience of senior setter/defensive specialist Jaimie Marquardt (Iowa), senior outside hitter Hannah Fleming, senior middle hitter Lily Evans, senior outside hitter Stella Meyer, senior defensive specialist Skyla Rohrbach and senior setter/defensive specialist Mia Colton. Sophomore middle hitter Avery Maddux and freshman defensive specialist Charlie Fleegle could also make an impact.
3. Warren (27-10): The Blue Devils look to continue their winning ways in the NSC with the return of senior middle hitter Ruth Ziegler (Illinois State), one of the most dominate players at the net in the state. Other returning contributors are senior middle hitter Maggie Carruthers, senior outside hitter Sarah Cretors, sophomore setter/defensive specialist Madelyn Ide, junior outside hitter Lauren Schilz, junior middle hitter Ciani Williams and senior setter Madison Wojdyla (Central Missouri).
4. Deerfield (19-16): Led by senior outside hitter Makayla Weissenberg, the Warriors should contend in the Central Suburban North. Senior outside hitters Addison Hooker and Kate Trella also have plenty of court experience.
5. Grayslake Central (26-12): Junior outside hitter Mallory Wachter, junior right-side hitter Katelyn Marcelain, junior middle hitter Danielle Eckenstahler and sophomore libero Madalene Meckl return for the Rams, who have their sights set on a third consecutive Northern Lake County Conference title despite having a roster loaded with underclassmen. Top newcomers are sophomore outside hitter Brooke Gulley and sophomore middle hitter Niah Mondesir.
6. Grant (22-16): Senior outside hitter Katelyn Rossini (Bryant), an all-area pick last year, is out of the lineup with an injury to start the season. They do have plenty of experience with senior setter Clara O’Brien, senior libero Kendall Levy, senior middle hitter Alyssa Sandquist, senior libero Alexcy Labtis, senior outside hitter Claire Henney and senior middle hitter Angelina Guziak.
7. Lakes (12-19): The Eagles intend to contend in the NLCC with returning players like senior setter Katie Mercure (Wisconsin-Eau Claire), senior libero Lainey Russo, senior middle hitter Kylie Ledyard, junior middle hitter Riley Bell-Nance, senior defensive specialist Katie Lage and senior outside hitter Jillian Ellenwood. Solid play by junior outside hitter Adey Martin and junior outside hitter Julia Blasinski would provide a boost.
8. Antioch (12-24): The Sequoits will try to bounce back this season with experienced players like senior outside hitter Nora Larson, senior outside hitter Brynn Glauser, senior defensive specialist Ava Yeager, senior defensive specialist Olivia Marcell and junior middle hitter Emma Crow. An influx of newcomers could be the key.
9. Mundelein (15-16): The one-two punch of senior middle hitter Josilyn Wadas and junior outside hitter Allison Kampa could make the Mustangs a threat in the NSC. Others to watch this season include senior outside hitter Skylar Brown, sophomore outside hitter Bella Snow and junior setter Norah Emso.
10. Grayslake North (17-20): Nikki Kirchway returns as head coach for the first time since 2013 and will be leaning on numerous seniors, including setter Macie Ahmer, middle hitter Emily Owen, setter Jeana Roscoe and outside hitter Maddie Von Allmen. Also returning are junior outside hitter Chanea Butler and sophomore libero Lucy Roscoe.
25 Players to Watch
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Macie Ahmer, Grayslake North, senior, setter; Hannah Fleming, Libertyville, senior, outside hitter; Brynn Glauser, Antioch, senior, outside hitter; Morgan Hart, Vernon Hills, senior, outside hitter/middle blocker; Addison Hooker, Deerfield, senior, outside hitter; Mija Jegers, Stevenson, senior, outside hitter; Allison Kampa, Mundelein, junior, outside hitter; Nora Larson, Antioch, senior, outside hitter; Katelyn Marcelain, Grayslake Central, junior, right-side hitter; Jaimie Marquardt, Libertyville, senior, setter/defensive specialist; Katie Mercure, Lakes, senior, setter; Maya Raval, Vernon Hills, senior outside hitter/middle blocker; Clara O’Brien, Grant, senior, setter; Claire Parker, Carmel, senior, setter; Katelyn Rossini, Grant, senior, outside hitter; Lainey Russo, Lakes, senior, libero; Lauren Schilz, Warren, junior, outside hitter; Brynn Smith, Stevenson, senior, outside hitter; Isa Swiatkowski, Carmel, senior, libero; Mallory Wachter, Grayslake Central, junior, outside hitter; Josilyn Wadas, Mundelein, senior, middle hitter; Makayla Weissenberg, Deerfield, senior, outside hitter; Madison Wojdyla, Warren, senior, setter; Ava Wysocki, Stevenson, junior, outside hitter; Ruth Ziegler, Warren, senior, middle hitter.