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FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE
Fox Division
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Lisa Brunstrum, fifth season
Last year: 33-4 overall, 12-0 FVC Fox (first)
Top returners: Sydney Fleck, sr., DS; Brittany Lownds, sr., OH; Megan Kelly, so., MB; Sarah Kelly, sr., RS; Courtney Ward, sr., RS
Key newcomers: Olivia Doak, so., S; Emily Kelly, so., OH; Amanda Ricca, sr. OH; Josie Wynsma, sr., DS
Worth noting: The Tigers feel they have unfinished business after going undefeated over their first 30 matches of last season and going 3-4 in their final seven, including dropping a Class 4A regional final against Crystal Lake South. This team has much less uncertainty to start the season than that one did, with six returning seniors from last year's squad leading the way. Versatility will be a team strength, so don't be surprised to see some returners playing in different positions this season. "We play 14 matches in the first two weeks, so we're looking forward to experimenting and trying new things," Brunstrum said.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Jason Janczak, 10th season
Last year: 23-15 overall, 10-4 FVC Fox (third)
Top returners: Morgan Anderberg, jr., L; Allie Daul, sr., MH; Marie Gerbasi, sr., OH; Jackie Hamrick, sr., Opp.
Key newcomers: Nicole Cave, sr., MH; Lauren LaBeck, so., S; Amber Moser, fr., OH
Worth noting: The Rams will look to seniors Daul and Gerbasi to lead the program in a season when the roster includes players from all four classes. Janczak's squad has more height than he's accustomed to working with, so look for the Rams to be aggressive at the net with newcomer LaBeck setting up the team's hitters.
Grayslake North
Coach: Jim Sarver, second season
Last year: 10-21 overall, 3-9 FVC Fox (sixth)
Top returners: Kendall Buchman, sr., S/OH; Madison Helm, sr., S
Worth noting: The Knights will be looking to rebuild after losing nine seniors to graduation. Sarver, the second coach in school history, will look to improve on a sixth-place finish in his second year in charge.
Hampshire
Coach: Andrew Lindley, fourth season
Last year: 11-21 overall, 4-8 FVC Fox (fifth)
Top returners: Allie Peters, sr., DS; Olivia Magnussen, jr., OH; Maggie Seagren, so., OH/RS
Key newcomers: Hannah Dalby, sr., S; Stef Puczek, sr. MB; Louie Peralta, jr., M
Worth noting: The Whip-Purs graduated nine seniors last season, meaning this year's roster will be full of fresh faces. Versatility should be a strength, as the team has a number of players who can play multiple positions. Lindley expects the team to improve as the season wears on and players settle into their roles.
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Stefanie Otto, 19th season
Last year: 21-15 overall, 10-2 FVC Fox (second)
Top returners: MacKenzie Garis, so., S; Megan Ozga, sr., OH; Slone Salerno, sr., DS; Genesis Sheridan, so., MB; Savannah Sheridan, sr., Opp.; Kirsten Voel-Pel, sr., MB
Key newcomers: Emily Baudin, so., OH; Allie Cole, jr., MB; Erin McNeil, so., OH; Jayden Otto, fr., S
Worth noting: The Wolves managed to win 10 conference matches last year despite having a different lineup almost every match because of injuries. The team lost two strong middles in Ali Witt and Aubree Eggers – Cole, Voel-Pel and Genesis Sheridan are three candidates for those roles – but returned a lot of talent otherwise, and Otto expects the team to be stronger this season. "This is a really special group of girls because they really seem to care about each other," Otto said. "Even though they're competing, they also support each other, and I think that makes a big difference."
Woodstock
Coach: Meghan Mullaney, third season
Last year: 18-20 overall, 5-7 FVC Fox (fourth)
Top returners: Amanda Gelasi, sr., MH; Alex Muschong, jr., MH; Brecken Overly, sr., DS; Maddie Spear, so., OH; Brianna Weiss, sr., S; Georgia Wicker, jr., L
Key newcomers: Jocelyn Eisenmenger, so., OH/RS; Julia Langton, so. OH; Autumn Overly, so., S
Worth noting: The Blue Streaks' win total jumped 10 matches from Mullaney's first season to her second. Based on the increased commitment level she saw this summer, the coach is confident her team is ready to take another step forward this year. Gelasi and Muschong will bring experience up the middle, and Wicker will be the team's libero for a third year after recording 568 digs last season. Mullaney feels the team's depth will be an asset. "Last year I stuck with seven kids, and that was it," Mullaney said. "This year, I have a lot of talent, so I'm gonna maximize all the talent that I have."
Woodstock North
Coach: Greg Bruns, seventh season
Last year: 8-23 overall, 0-12 FVC Fox (seventh)
Top returners: Sarah Kopp, sr. OH; Samantha Kunke, sr., DS; Ariel Granat, sr., MB; Gwyn Truman, sr., RS
Key newcomers: Maddie Busch, jr., OH; Danielle Chamberlain, sr., S; Veronica Grover, jr., MB; Emily Haynes, jr., DS; Hannah Labude, so., OH
Worth noting: The Thunder don't have much club experience when compared to other teams in their conference, so Bruns expects the Thunder to improve as the season progresses as the players mesh and work out the kinks. Six seniors from last year's roster graduated, but Truman and Granat are both entering their third year on varsity, providing the team with some experience up front.
VALLEY DIVISION
Cary-Grove
Coach: Patty Langanis, 21st season
Last year: 30-8 overall, 9-1 FVC Valley (T-first)
Top returners: Erin Olson, sr., S; Allison Splitt, sr., MB; Sarah Graham, sr., OH; Allison Vasquez, jr. OH; Delaney Bayer, sr., L
Key newcomer: Rachel Rosch, sr., RS; Madison Katchen, jr., MB
Worth noting: Cary-Grove captured its first regional title since 2011 last season. The Trojans lost four senior leaders, including Abby Schebel (Union University) and Brianne Coffey (Rutgers), but return a lot of experienced players that should help them challenge for the FVC Valley title.
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Jorie Fontana, eighth season
Last year: 32-8 overall, 9-1 FVC Valley (T-first)
Top returner: Kendall Kilberger, sr., MB; Alex Janis, sr., DS; Mary Wille, sr., MH
Worth noting: Over the past two seasons, the Gators have won two regional titles, two sectional titles and one supersectional and qualified for the state finals. Crystal Lake South will be challenged to continue its run without a number of key pieces, most notably 2014 Northwest Herald Player of the Year Carly Nolan.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Chris Hopkins-Muehl, fourth season
Last Year: 24-13, 4-6 FVC Valley (fourth)
Key returners: Frankie Cavallaro, sr., S; Gina Pagano, sr., OH; Bre Novak, sr., OH
Key newcomer: Zoe Sitarz, so. L
Worth noting: The Chargers have been building for the past three seasons, winning 14 matches in 2012, 16 in 2013 and 24 last season. In 2014, they won the second-most matches in school history and finished one win away from the regional championship at Cary-Grove. With three-year captain Frankie Cavallaro entering her senior year, the Chargers are hopeful that they can get over the hump and win their first regional since 2010.
Huntley
Coach: Karen Naymola, fourth season
Last year: 24-14, 5-5 FVC Valley (third)
Top returners: Erin Erb, sr., OH; Alyson Dion, jr., OH; Sydney Holt, sr.; MB
Key newcomers: Sarah Zayas, fr., S; Julia Johnson, fr., OH; Riley Seibert, fr., DS;
Worth noting: The Red Raiders have promoted four freshmen to varsity, the most Naymola has had on her team. She believes the team has a good mix with the five seniors supplying the leadership. "That's going to not only help us this year, but for years to come."
Jacobs
Coach: Lisa Dwyer, 11th season
Last year: 17-20, 3-7 FVC Valley
Top returners: Bridget Wallenberger, sr., MB; Katie Mahoney, sr., OH; Paige Queffelec, sr., S; Kyla Fitzsimmons, sr., OH; Monet Charron, Sr., DS; Rachel Holstein, jr., MB
Key newcomer: Autumn Miller, so., OH; Danielle Cassidy, jr., DS; Katelyn Rainsford, jr., DS; Abby Piemonte, jr., DS
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles feature one of the best players in the area in Wallenberger. As her coach calls her, "The Wall" has committed to play at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next season and will be a key factor for the Golden Eagles this year.
McHenry
Coach: Lexi Disselhorst, first year
Last year: 11-21, 0-10 FVC Valley
Top returners: Alex Martens, sr., MH; Ava Pauly, jr., OH
Worth noting: First-year coach Disselhorst was a member of the 2005 D-III national championship team at Wisconsin-Whitewater. She will be looking to bring a winning culture to a team that finished winless in the FVC Valley last season.
BIG NORTHERN CONFERENCE
Harvard
Coach: Megan Nolen, second season
Last year: 7-26 overall, 3-10 BNC East
Top returners: Sophie Stricker, sr., S; Ashlyn Stricker, jr., DS; Hannah Baird, so., MH
Worth noting: Last year was Harvard's first sub-500 season since 2009. The Hornets are looking to turn things around this year.
Johnsburg
Coach: Sue Feely, 13th season
Last year: 14-22 overall, 6-8 BNC East
Top returners: Abby Majercik, sr., S; Madisyn Zimay, sr., MH; Sam Guderley, sr., OH; Magdalena Montewska, sr., OH
Key newcomer: Meghan Cronin, jr., MH
Worth noting: Last season's roster featured only three seniors, yet the Skyhawks were able to capture their first Class 3A regional title since 2011.
Marengo
Coach: Meg Dobbertin, 10th season
Last year: 15-18, 4-10 BNC East
Top returners: Paetyn Borhart, sr., L; Allison Jasinski, sr., L; Nicole Johnston, sr., S/RS; Jaci Olson, sr., MB
Worth noting: Dobbertin has been thrilled by the fire her team has shown this summer, with players showing up early and staying late after practice to get more reps. The entire team has enrolled in a zero credit hour P.E. class to continue the weight lifting they did all summer, and with seven seniors returning, the team should not be lacking for leadership as it looks to improve its standing in the BNC East.
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Kaycee Kaywood, eighth season
Last year: 16-20 overall, 9-4 BNC East
Top returners: Bailey Dean, so., S; Jessie Duncan, sr., L; Addie Halverson, jr., OH; Celena Kanagin, sr., OH; Paige Liestner, so., MB;
Key newcomers: Kaitlyn Suhr, fr., RS
Worth noting: The Rockets lost to St. Francis in a Class 3A regional title match last year, snapping a streak of three straight regional titles. Kaywood expects the experienced team to compete with the top teams in the BNC East this year, riding the strength of an aggressive offense that will have multiple opportunities in each rotation.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
Marian Central
Coach: Laura Watling, seventh season
Last year: 27-11
Top returners: Norah Cetera, sr., MB; Lauren Hanlon, jr., RS; Alex Kaufmann, sr., L; Rachel Giustino, sr., OH; Sydney Nemtuda, jr., OH; McKayla Wuensch, jr., S/RS
Key newcomers: Brenna Koch, jr., OH; Rachel Noonan, jr., MB; Emily Radecki, jr., MB; Gabbie Rohde, jr., S; Megan Schwallie, jr., DS/OH
Worth noting: Before last season, Watling said she was working with some of the best talent to come through the program. After the Hurricanes rode that talent to a second straight Class 3A supersectional berth, the core of that team is returning, meaning another long playoff run could be in store. Veterans Giustino and Kaufmann will bring experience to the outside and back row, respectively, and Watling will have more height than she's used to with newcomers Noonan and Radecki. "A lot of the work for us is going to be realizing the opportunity we have and trying to capitalize on our height and our power with quick offense," Watling said. "A lot of it is just about the drive to maintain that high level of play."
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Alden-Hebron
Coach: Tessa Keating, first season
Last year: 4-14 overall, 3-6 NAC
Top returners: Tally Lalor, jr., MH; Zoee Lagerhausen,sr., RH
Key newcomer: Melanie Nielsen, fr., OH/ MH; Edeen Wanderer, fr., MH/OH
Worth noting: Keating said she believes this year's team has more potential than the Giants' 4-14 record from last season shows. "I have a lot of expectations for this team," Keating said. "They don't realize the talent they have."
Faith Lutheran
Coach: Ramon Borrero, second season
Last year: 13-11 overall
Top returners: Natalie Borman, jr., OH; Emily Largerquist, so., MH; Casandra Paiz, jr., S
Key newcomers: Gabby German, fr.,; Annette Weldon, so. S; Natalie Weldon, jr., S
Worth noting: Borrero, who has coached club teams at Sky High for several years, asked Faith Lutheran's administration to give him three seasons to make the program competitive. After finishing over .500 last season and losing only one senior to graduation, Borrero believes the team is on the right track. Several players played club volleyball for the first time last year, and the coach is confident the extra experience will be evident. The team's reception and ball control are much better, and setting will be key, with the Weldon sisters and Paiz handling the bulk of the work there.