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With the girls volleyball season well underway, teams across the state are vying for berths in the state finals Nov. 14 and 15 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Here’s the outlook for Addison Trail, Glenbard East, Montini and Willowbrook:
Addison Trail Blazers
Coach: Dan Styler
Conference: West Suburban Gold
Top players
Jessica Mell jr. MH
Sarah Petrbok so. OH
Nicole Pudlo jr. MH
Outlook: There's young teams and then there's Addison Trail. The Blazers have just two seniors, and both are rotation players but not full-time starters.
“Our most primary lineups out there we have two juniors, four sophomores and a freshman,” coach Dan Styler said. “We are very, very young.”
Middle hitters Jessica Mell and Nicole Pudlo and outside hitter Sarah Petrbok are returners that are playing a big role in the attack so far. Seniors Mary Flores and Evi Mertiri also are varsity returners.
The Blazers are off to a 1-2 start, most recently falling against York 12-25, 25-21, 15-25.
“There’s a lot of the learning going on and a lot of it happens midmatch where we’re talking through plays and getting them to understand the mental aspect of what to read across the net and how to respond on our side,” Styler said. “It’s definitely a process, but we’re very optimistic that these girls are very coachable and they’re going to get light years better as the year progresses.”
Glenbard East Rams
Coach: Marci Maier
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
Top players
Sam Bell sr. S
Allison Farrell jr. OH
Sarah Murphy sr. MH
Jessie Spontak jr. L
Outlook: The Rams have eight returners back, leading to expectations that the team will improve upon last year's 15-22 record.
Star outside hitter Meghan Hanewall is now at Clemson, but the Rams should be able to compensate for her loss by strength in numbers.
“Last year, every ball was going to the outside to Meghan, especially without Sarah (Murphy) to help balance things out,” coach Marci Maier said. “This year, we’re a more balanced attack and we’re playing better defense.”
The Rams are off to a 5-2 start this season after beating West Aurora in the Upstate Eight Valley opener Tuesday. East also went 3-2 at the Metea Valley Invite to take third out of eight teams, the best finish in three years at the tournament.
Setter Sam Bell remains in control of the offense. Six-foot middle hitter Sarah Murphy is back after missing much of last season with an injury. Libero Jessie Spontak will lead the defense, and outside hitter Allison Farrell could have a big year after playing significant time on varsity last year.
Seniors Allison Achenbaugh (opposite hitter) and Viky Bozenovaite (defensive specialist) and juniors Emily Hamaker (middle/opposite hitter) and Sammie Sarles (outside hitter) also are returners. Junior outside hitter Elin Ream is a newcomer to watch.
“We’re already kind of ahead of where we were last year,” Maier said. “We’re hoping to improve on last year. We’re hoping to be in the top half of the Upstate Eight on our side.”
Montini Broncos
Coach: Steve Dowjotas
Conference: N/A
Top players
Mary Bowe sr. OH
Jordan Bruscianelli sr. OH
Gina Cappetta jr. S
Monica Loftus sr. OH
Mary Long sr. L
Outlook: The Broncos graduated a number of key seniors from last year's 30-4 team, but star outside hitter Monica Loftus is back.
Loftus, a senior committed to St. Louis University, was one of two Broncos to be named to the all-tournament team when Montini won the Blue and Gold Falcon Classic at Wheaton North for the second year in a row last weekend. Mary Bowe, another senior outside hitter, also was named all-tournament.
Right side hitter Jordan Bruscianelli and libero Mary Long join Loftus as team captains. Gina Cappetta takes over at setter full-time after seeing extensive time at the position last year.
The Suburban Christian Conference has dissolved, but Montini is still playing matches against former and future conference opponents St. Francis, Aurora Christian and Rosary until joining the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference next school year.
Willowbrook Warriors
Coach: Sue Bower
Conference: West Suburban Gold
Top players
Kelsey Linning sr. S
Olivia Pennebaker so. MB
Mia Railing sr. OH
K.J. Wangler sr. OH
Outlook: The Warriors bring back four returners – Kelsey Linnig, Olivia Pennebaker, Mia Railing and K.J. Wangler – who were key to the team last season.
Linnig dished out 300 assists last year. Railing tallied 111 kills as an outside hitter.
Junior Kelly Conley will step in at libero, replacing her sister Joanna Conley. Fellow juniors Maya Bullock and Kalyn Konrath are newcomers that could make an impact.
“The majority of our team this year are club players, and we look forward to having a very productive year,” coach Sue Bower said.