Girls Volleyball: Previewing Lyons Township, Nazareth and Fenwick

The start of the high school girls volleyball season initiates the drive toward Normal for the Class 2A and 3A state finals in November. Here’s the outlook for Fenwick, Lyons Township, Morton and Nazareth as they start their quest for the glory.

FENWICK FRIARS

Coach: Kathleen O'Laughlin

Conference: GCAC

Top players

Name year pos.

McKenzie Moorman sr. OH

Beau Vanderlaan, so. OH

Zaria Glover sr. RS

Outlook: The Friars, who were 20-15 last year, will rely heavily on Moorman, a four-year starter who has committed to South Carolina. Vanderlaan is already drawing interest from college recruiters. Glover is the third returning starter and freshman Elise Hennegan could contribute right away.

“We are looking to improve every practice this year,” O’Laughlin said. “We have a nice corps of returning players along with some new young talent. Blocking should be a strength for us. We will be led by McKenzie Moorman, who is an offensive threat both in the front and back row.”

LYONS TOWNSHIP LIONS

Coach: Jill Keeve

Conference: West Suburban Silver

Top players

Name year pos.

Patti Cesarni jr. OH

Camille Hurta sr. RS/OH

Courtney Branch sr. MB

Grace Quinn sr. S

Emma Hahn sr. S

Outlook: Keeve takes over for long-time coach Joann Pyritz, who retired after leading the Lions to state championships in 1989 and 2010. The transition should be fairly seamless as Keeve played and coached under Pyritz.

“We are looking to build on the conference and tournament places from last season,” Keeve said. “[This is an] athletic and dedicated group of young ladies ready to work hard and condition and be smart on the volleyball court. [The focus will be] starting and finishing each match strong to eliminate the lull in the middle of the match.”

NAZARETH ROADRUNNERS

Coach: Melissa Vandrey

Conference: East SuburbanCatholic

Top players

Name year pos.

Ella Sandt jr. S

Wren Decker sr. L

Izzy Decker so. OH

Danielle Wotycki jr. MH

Mary Kate Kelly sr. OH

Outlook: The Roadrunners were 14-21 last season, but they have five players entering their third varsity season. One of them is Sandt, an all-conference setter. Wotycki, Kelly and Wren Decker also are three-year varsity players.

“Nazareth is going to be significantly stronger than last season,” Vandrey said. “We endured a lot of injuries last year that allowed a lot of players to earn significant playing time. It also helped make our gym extremely competitive, which is going to allow us to be much more successful. Ella Sandt and Leilani Dodson will be one of the best, if not the best, setter/middle combos in the state. We are expecting big things this season.”