Top 10 Teams
1. St. Charles North (29-9): North Stars, who won ninth regional title under coach Lindsey Hawkins, will be led by a pair of standout outside hitters. Senior Katherine Scherer, a Maryland recruit, had 263 kills last season and sophomore Haley Burgdorf followed with 261. That’s a formidable one-two punch.
2. Metea Valley (26-9): Camille Morrison, a 6-foot-1 senior outside, had 243 kills last season. Her return gives boost to Mustangs, who will put up big block with 6-2 middles in sophomore Olivia Stewart and senior Anna Murphy. Junior Addison Torain (198 kills) moves to libero, while setters Kelly McGrath and Ashley Ward both return.
3. St. Charles East (33-9): Two seniors in setter Sarah Musial (571 assists) and defensive specialist Maya Lopez (127 digs) are the top returnees from a team that graduated nine seniors after finishing fourth in the state in Class 4A. Former assistant Kate McCullagh takes over for retired coach Jennie Kull.
4. Bartlett (22-9): Senior outside hitters Jaden Lindstrom and Macy Medendorp lead six returning starters for Hawks, who established a program single-season record for wins last season and won conference title.
5. Oswego (18-18): Gary Mosley, a former assistant with the program, takes over for Julie Zeck, who stepped down due to her family’s move to Tennessee. The trio of 6-1 junior outside Sidney Hamaker, 6-0 middle Riley Borrowman and 6-0 outside Mia Jurkovic give Panthers big-time height.
6. Oswego East (27-7): Wolves won first conference and regional titles in program history and set record for wins but graduated eight seniors. Junior middle Ava Stiller and senior libero Grace Milas return to lead young team that will include four sophomores.
7. Kaneland (30-7): Senior libero Mia Vassallo, the conference MVP, had 351 digs as Knights reached sectional final and lost in three games to Class 3A state champion St. Francis. Outside hitter Rosie Karl and middle Sophie Knazur, both 5-10 seniors, also return.
8. Dundee-Crown (21-12): Senior middle hitter Audrey Prusko (221 kills, 50 blocks) packs the power in front row to lead Chargers, whose five returnees include senior twins in setter Courtney Komperda and libero Sydney Komperda.
9. Newark (32-6): Senior setter Lauren Ulrich and senior outside hitter Kiara Wesseh had 399 assists and 256 kills, respectively, to lead Little Ten Conference powerhouse to sectional final for fifth straight year. Norsemen bring back nine seniors.
10. West Aurora (10-22): Junior outside hitter Maureen Pokryfke, in her third varsity season, and senior libero Brooke Wisniewski lead way. Blackhawks add pair of 6-footers in junior outside Sara Tarr, who returns from injury, and junior middle Taylor Baratta.
The 25 Players to Watch
Ashley Arceo, Burlington Central, senior, setter; Jazmine Binion, South Elgin, senior, outside hitter; Riley Borrowman, Oswego, senior, middle blocker/opposite; Haley Burgdorf, St. Charles North, sophomore, outside hitter; Naomi Dowd, Waubonsie Valley, junior, right side; Leah Freesemann, Burlington Central, junior, outside hitter; Sidney Hamaker, Oswego, junior, outside hitter; ILY Hunt, Hinckley-Big Rock, senior, outside hitter; Rosie Karl, Kaneland, senior, outside hitter; Jaden Lindstrom, Bartlett, senior, outside hitter; Clare McEniry, Rosary, junior, outside hitter; Asia Mitchell, Waubonsie Valley, junior, libero; Camille Morrison, Metea Valley, senior, outside hitter; Anna Murphy, Metea Valley, senior, middle hitter; Sarah Musial, St. Charles East, senior, setter; Maureen Pokryfke, West Aurora, junior, outside hitter; Charlotte Potvin, Geneva, senior, middle hitter; Audrey Prusko, Dundee-Crown, senior, middle hitter; Katherine Scherer, St. Charles North, senior, outside hitter; Lauren Ulrich, Newark, senior, setter; Mia Vassallo, Kaneland, senior, libero; Ashley Ward, Metea Valley, sophomore, setter; Kiara Wesseh, Newark, senior, outside hitter; Brooke Wisniewski, West Aurora, senior, libero; Charlee Young, Yorkville, junior, outside hitter.
