Marist, the reigning Class 4A state champ, will be pushed again by Mother McAuley and Lockport.
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Top 10 Teams
1. Marist (33-9)
Defending Class 4A state champions returns plenty of top-tier talent. Senior libero Elayna Davidson (Maryland), senior middle hitter Cassidy Cage (Mississippi State), senior right-side hitter Savanah Weathers (Davenport) and junior outsides Taylor Berg (Western Michigan) and Maggie Kurpeikis (Michigan) are back. Options are endless for sophomore setter Kelly Ryan.
2. Mother McAuley (33-5)
Senior Cayla Prohaska (Campbell) and junior sister Jayce learned to play middle last season for the Mighty Macs but both are back at their natural positions on the outside. Senior libero Lucy Maloney (Clemson) and junior setter Peyton Heatherly (Coastal Carolina) also return, while freshman middle Chyla Jukes could be an impact player right away.
3. Lincoln-Way East (32-6)
Defending SouthWest Suburban Conference champs return a ton of talent, including senior right-side hitter Alaina Pollard (Indiana) and senior setters Maggie Simon (Missouri-St. Louis) and Brooklyn Ritter (Southeast Missouri State). Sophomore outside Kolby Ross, a tournament MVP at the USA Volleyball nationals, tallied 200 kills last year for Griffins.
4. Lockport (36-6)
Porters took third in the state last year in Class 4A, their first trophy since 1996. Do they have enough firepower returning? Well, senior outside Bridget Ferriter, junior setters Natalie Bochantin and Malley Green and junior right-side hitter Hutsyn Timosciek are all back in the fold.
5. Providence (30-10)
Five starters, including four four-year starters, return from back-to-back supersectional teams. Senior outside Abbey Knight (Wright State) starred on international stage this summer. Senior setters Demi Carbone (Colby) and Delaney Purtill combined for 784 assists last year. Senior outside Cali Tierney is a threat on offense and defense.
6. Homewood-Flossmoor (27-8)
First-year coach Nate Nesbit will build around the return of 6-foot-3 senior middle Ihuoma Ozoh (Clemson), who had most her junior season wiped out by an injury. Kymora Scott (Wisconsin), a talented 6-3 senior outside, burst onto the scene last year.
7. Evergreen Park (29-8)
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Coach Brian Zofkie believes this is the Mustangs’ best team in 20 years. Senior setter Neve Hayes, a two-time USA Volleyball All-American and the South Suburban Red’s player of the year, could help prove him right. Senior outside Fiona Buchanan is another big-time presence.
8. Sandburg (16-21)
Last year was a rebuilding effort for the Eagles, and several players who took some lumps return and are now ready to push back. That includes senior libero Morgan Begley (Indiana-Indianapolis) and junior outside Bella Maras.
9. Lincoln-Way West (25-13)
Senior middle Lily Goyer (North Carolina-Wilmington), senior libero Sophia Rozga and senior outside Kara Stigter headline strong group of returnees for Warriors, while junior middle hitter Emma Novotny is back from injury. Sophomore libero Elena Mason is an AAU All-American.
10. Lemont (30-8)
It all starts with serving, and last season, senior libero Nora Miller (North Central College), senior setter Olivia Sarno and senior middle Colleen Arundel combined for 88 aces.
The 25 Players to Watch
- Morgan Begley, Sandburg, senior, libero.
- Natalie Bochantin, Lockport, junior, setter.
- Cassidy Cage, Marist, senior, middle hitter.
- Demi Carbone, Providence, senior, setter.
- Parker Crims, Shepard, senior, middle hitter.
- Elyana Davidson, Marist, senior, libero.
- Bridget Ferriter, Lockport, senior, outside hitter.
- Lily Goyer, Lincoln-Way West, senior middle hitter.
- Quinn Grevengoed, Chicago Christian, junior, outside hitter.
- Neve Hayes, Evergreen Park, senior, setter/outside hitter.
- Peyton Heatherly, Mother McAuley, junior, setter.
- Maryam Hussein, Oak Lawn, senior, middle hitter.
- Abbey Knight, Providence, senior, outside hitter.
- Maggie Kurpeikis, Marist, junior, outside hitter.
- Lucy Maloney, Mother McAuley, senior, libero.
- Aubrey Martinez, St. Laurence, junior, outside hitter.
- Elena Mason, Lincoln-Way West, sophomore, libero.
- Nora Miller, Lemont, senior, libero.
- Ihuoma Ozoh, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior middle hitter.
- Alaina Pollard, Lincoln-Way East, senior, outside hitter.
- Cayla Prohaska, Mother McAuley, senior, outside hitter.
- Kolby Ross, Lincoln-Way East, sophomore, outside hitter.
- Kymora Scott, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, outside hitter.
- Maggie Simon, Lincoln-Way East, senior. setter.
- Savanah Weathers, Marist, senior outside/right-side hitter.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.