Libertyville begins the season at the top of the rankings but isn’t the only veteran team in Lake County.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Libertyville (26-13): The Wildcats are looking to take another step forward after losing to Huntley in a Class 4A sectional final last season. They’re deep and tall, led by senior middle hitter Avery Maddux (Navy), junior libero Charlie Fleegle (Illinois State), senior outside hitter Claire Evans and junior outside hitter Elle Knight. Evans and Knight combined for 408 kills.
2. Stevenson (22-16): The defending North Suburban Conference co-champion Patriots have four returning starters, including junior setter Ryler Bondad (601 assists, 170 digs, 49 aces) and junior outside hitter Abigail Inman (201 kills, 215 digs, 49 aces), both all-conference picks last season.
3. Warren (21-16): The Blue Devils, who shared the NSC title with Stevenson, are experienced at several key positions, sparking optimism for another strong season. Senior setter Lyla Christensen (588 assists, 63 aces), an all-conference pick last season, is the top returnee. Senior Karoline Yang and junior Shayla Ray were productive in the middle, and Ray is moving to the right side.
4. Vernon Hills (23-14): The Cougars return three starters, led by junior outside hitter Kiersten Cieslinski (Marshall), who had 215 kills, 26 blocks, 124 digs and 46 aces last season. Senior outside hitter Annabelle Smith and senior middle hitter Emma Isakhanian also return and are joined by a talented group of underclassmen.
5. Carmel (18-19): The Corsairs have a promising young core with junior middle hitter Kelsey Reim, sophomore setter Charlotte Shepherd, sophomore outside hitter Scarlett Olszowka and sophomore libero Rebeca Arreola. Freshman sensation Liv Johnson, the daughter of former Illinois basketball standout Lucas Johnson, is already considered an elite middle hitter.
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6. Mundelein (24-14): The Mustangs have a strong group of upperclassmen to make another run at a 4A regional title. Among the returnees are senior setter Bella Snow (382 assists, 102 kills, 176 digs), who was an all-conference pick last season, and senior middle hitter Sophia Mitry (100 kills, 38 blocks, 30 aces).
7. Waukegan (16-18): The Bulldogs are aiming high with senior outside hitter Hadassah Brown (198 kills, 219 digs, 45 aces), an all-conference pick last season. Junior outside hitter Alanna Turner (144 kills, 202 digs, 28 aces) and senior setter Happy Nguyen (437 assists, 146 digs, 28 aces) also return.
8. Grayslake Central (30-6): The defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Rams have a strong senior class that includes middle hitter Niah Mondesir, outside hitter Ella LaPorte and libero Madalene Meckl. Junior middle hitter Amiyah Miller is a player to watch.
9. Lake Zurich (14-18): Sophomore setter Sage Olson (139 assists, 152 kills, 123 digs, 36 aces) and junior outside hitter Emerson Smith (185 kills, 141 digs, 50 aces) were all-conference picks in the NSC last season, giving the Bears hope for a strong season. Junior setter Ella Elsen (391 assists, 114 digs, 36 aces) and senior middle hitter Greta Roscoe also are top returnees.
10. Lakes (21-15): The Eagles won a regional title last season and could be ready for another run with sophomore outside hitter Brynn Skinner, junior outside hitter Isabel Stauber and junior right-side hitter Ray Sundquist.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Ryler Bondad, Stevenson, junior, setter
- Hadassah Brown, Waukegan, senior, outside hitter
- Lyla Christensen, Warren, senior, setter
- Kiersten Cieslinski, Vernon Hills, junior, outside hitter
- Claire Evans, Libertyville, senior, outside hitter
- Charlie Fleegle, Libertyville, junior, libero
- Abbey Garcia, Deerfield, sophomore, outside hitter
- Mikayla Haskell, Antioch, senior, middle hitter
- Abigail Inman, Stevenson, junior, outside hitter
- Liv Johnson, Carmel, freshman, middle hitter
- Elle Knight, Libertyville, junior, outside hitter
- Ella LaPorte, Grayslake Central, senior, outside hitter
- Avery Maddux, Libertyville, senior, middle hitter
- Madalene Meckl, Grayslake Central, senior, libero
- Niah Mondesir, Grayslake Central, senior, middle hitter
- Sage Olson, Lake Zurich, sophomore, setter
- Shayla Ray, Warren, junior, right-side hitter
- Neda Savic, Highland Park, sophomore, outside hitter
- Kara Schubert, Grant, sophomore, middle hitter
- Charlotte Shepherd, Carmel, sophomore, setter
- Brynn Skinner, Lakes, sophomore, outside hitter
- Emerson Smith, Lake Zurich, junior, outside hitter
- Bella Snow, Mundelein, senior, setter
- Alanna Turner, Waukegan, junior, outside hitter
- Grace Watschke, Grayslake North, senior, outside hitter
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.