September 12, 2024
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The Herald-News volleyball preview: 5 to watch in 2024

By Rob Oesterle
Joliet West's Julia Adams (9) sets the ball against Lincoln-Way West during a class 4A Oswego Sectional semifinal match at Oswego High School on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

Joliet West's Julia Adams (9) sets the ball against Lincoln-Way West during a class 4A Oswego Sectional semifinal match at Oswego High School on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (Sean King for Shaw Local News)

Julia Adams, Joliet West, so., S

The Tigers set a school record for wins last season and advanced to a Class 4A supersectional before losing to Willowbrook. Adams was a big reason why. She amassed 547 assists and had 33 aces. Although the Tigers lost the firepower of the graduated Ava Grevengoed and Gabby Piazza, Adams will not lack for targets with Texas Tech commit Faith Jordan and Eastern Michigan commit Lina Govoni in the lineup.

Joliet Catholic’s Ellie Blotnik goes for the kill against Providence on Thursday, Sept. 14, in Joliet.

Joliet Catholic Academy’s Ellie Blotnik. (Gary Middendorf/Gary Middendorf)

Ellie Blotnik, Joliet Catholic Academy, sr., OH

Blotnik led the Angels with 215 kills last season in their first year competing in Class 4A. She was also a key figure in the 2022 team that finished third in the state in Class 3A. Paired with fellow senior Olivia Chovanec, Blotnik will be a central figure in JCA’s fortunes this season.

Providence’s Abbey Knight stretches for the shot against Lemont in the Class 3A Providence Sectional semifinal on Monday.

Providence’s Abbey Knight (Gary Middendorf - gmiddendorf@shawmedia.com/Gary Middendorf)

Abbey Knight, Providence Catholic, jr., OH

Knight helped the Celtics win their eighth straight regional championship last season, first sectional crown since 2001 and first Girls Catholic Athletic Conference title in school history, finishing with a team-high 334 kills and being named GCAC White Player of the Year. Along with classmates Demi Carbone, Delaney Purtill and Cali Tierney, Knight forms the core of a team that should make a lot of noise the next two seasons.

Minooka's Kendall Kozak sets the ball during a conference game against Romeoville on Tuesday, Oct. 03, 2023, at Minooka. (Dean Reid for Shaw Local News Network)

Minooka's Kendall Kozak (Dean Reid for Shaw Local News Ne/Dean Reid)

Kendall Kozak, Minooka, jr., S/RS: Kozak had 180 kills, 171 digs, 55 blocks, 383 assists and 18 aces for the Indians, who won a regional title last season, and was named All-Southwest Prairie Conference.

Lockport’s Jenna Kolosta hits a shot against Joliet West in the Class 4A Oswego Sectional championship on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 in Oswego.

Lockport’s Jenna Kolosta (Gary Middendorf/Gary Middendorf)

Jenna Kolosta, Lockport, sr., OH: Kolosta, a 6-3 presence at the net, missed most of last season with an injury, but the Porters still reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004. She will team with 6-foot-2 sophomore Kyla Mitchell, 6-1 junior Bridget Ferriter and 5-11 Emily McGraw to give Lockport a height advantage over most teams.

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