December 12, 2024
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Girls Volleyball: Record Newspapers 5 Players to Watch

By Joshua Welge

Newark sophomore setter Lauren Ulrich (14) sets the ball to a teammate during the Class 1A Serena Sectional semifinal game against Pearl City on Monday Nov. 1, 2021 at Serena. (Scott Anderson)

The girls volleyball season starts this week. Here are five players to watch in the Record Newspapers coverage area.

Sandwich's Claire Allen tries to tip the ball past Ottawa's Allie Snyder during a match in 2021 at Ottawa. (Tom Sistak)

Claire Allen, Sandwich, senior, outside hitter: Three-sport standout who medaled in shot put and discus at the state track meet last spring is Sandwich’s most dynamic hitter who had 170 kills and 30 blocks last season. With Audrey Rome graduated and now at UConn, Allen will clearly be Sandwich’s go-to hitter on the front row.

Oswego East's Vivian Campbell (17) plays the ball out of bounds during a volleyball match against Oswego at Oswego High School in Oswego on Thursday, Sep 16, 2021. (Sean King for Shaw Local)

Vivian Campbell, Oswego East, senior, setter/right side: Top returning starter for Wolves’ team that won 20 matches last season. Campbell had 270 assists, 135 digs and 50 aces as a junior and will lead Oswego East both setting and hitting this year.

KCR.102821.SPORTS.Yorkville volleyball Yorkville's Keelyn Muell (12) digs out a tough shot during a class 4A regional volleyball game against Naperville North at Yorkville High School on Thursday. (Steven Buyansky/Steven Buyansky for Shaw Media)

Keelyn Muell, Yorkville, senior, setter/right side: Muell was a big part of Yorkville’s team last year that won its first conference title since 2015 and first regional championship since 2007, with 221 kills, 34 aces and 103 digs. The core of that group has graduated, while Muell will lead the next edition of Foxes while playing both setter and right side, a dual role she is familiar with from club.

Westminster Christian at Yorkville Christian Volleyball Yorkville Christian's Nina Schuberth with the spike during volleyball game between Westminster Christian at Yorkville Christian. Oct 14. (Gary E Duncan Sr for Shaw Local)

Nina Schuberth, Yorkville Christian, senior, outside hitter: Southeast Missouri State commit led Mustangs to 28 wins in just the program’s third season with 334 assists, 165 kills and 97 aces. Older sister Zoe has graduated, but the bulk of that group remains led by Nina so big things are in store for Yorkville Christian.

Newark's Lauren Ulrich, (14) bumps the ball back to the Eastland side of the net in the Class 1A Sectional final game on Wednesday Nov. 3, 2021 in Serena. (Scott Anderson)

Lauren Ulrich, Newark, junior, setter: As good of a setter as there is in the area, Ulrich led Newark in assists last season while helping lead the Norsemen to 34 wins and a sectional title. The core group of Newark’s state title runs have now all graduated, leaving Ulrich to lead Newark into its next phase of success.