As Benet defends its East Suburban Catholic Conference title, Naperville Central and Naperville North will try to challenge Metea Valley in the DuPage Valley Conference.
BENET
The defending East Suburban Catholic Conference champion Redwings (40-2) have finished second in the state in Class 4A in each of the past three seasons, and their expectations remain high with four senior starters back. Those include three Big Ten commits: outside hitter Brooklynne Brass (Maryland), middle hitter Lynney Tarnow (Wisconsin) and setter Ellie Stiernagle (Northwestern).
Senior middle hitter Molly Welge (Marquette), senior outside hitter Sophia Chinetti (Rhode Island), senior libero Abby Lee (Emory) and senior outside hitter Grace Jermak are primed for big seasons.
METEA VALLEY
The Mustangs (28-9) bring back three starters from a team that won DuPage Valley Conference and 4A regional titles. Senior middle hitter Olivia Stewart (Eastern Michigan), senior setter Ashley Ward and senior libero Ava Guzaski were all-conference picks.
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Junior outside hitter Allyse King, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery, and junior middle hitter Raina Parekh have varsity experience. Senior Annie Burk and sophomores Katie Wagner and Ishana Harish have been competing for a starting spot at outside hitter.
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
First-year coach Eric Kaisling takes over for Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Brie Isaacson, who won 413 matches and two state titles over 18 seasons. The Redhawks (23-13) have three returning starters, including senior outside hitter Caroline Impey (Lewis).
Senior opposite hitter Sophia Svingen and junior middle blocker Annabelle Kritzer also are back, and junior setter Alexa Novak is the top newcomer.
“I am looking forward to being competitive,” Kaisling said.
NAPERVILLE NORTH
The Huskies (20-16) are looking to bounce back after a rare down season. First-year coach Nate Bornancin, who has led the boys volleyball team for 13 seasons, including to a state runner-up finish in 2011, has five returning starters. Leading the way is junior outside hitter Joelle Pye-Blacknard, who had a team-high 241 kills last season.
Also back are senior liberos Ennette Bednarz and Elle Smith, senior middle blocker Jessica Dickow and junior setter Grace Anderson.
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats (7-28) look to build after an injury-plagued season. Sophomore setter Tatum Kelly, who missed most of last season due to a hand injury, is a Division I prospect. She’s one of four returning starters. The others are senior middle blockers Ella Cole and Addison Frisby, who led the team in blocks, and sophomore setter Seanna Larbi, who led the team in assists.
The majority of the roster consists of sophomores.
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
Noel Soto, who has been the boys volleyball coach since 2015, takes over the program. Senior setter Olivia O’Hara, senior outside hitter Chloe Gollaher and junior middle hitter Kathryn Travis return as starters for the Warriors (19-17), who also welcome back senior libero Hailee Pietryk and junior middle hitter Anna Axelsen.
Sophomore outside hitter Zoe Kraslen, junior right-side hitter Addilyn Candrian and junior defensive specialist Alexa Alvarado headline the newcomers.
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Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.