With five college recruits in starting lineup, Marist begins in top spot of the rankings, but keep an eye on reigning Class 4A state champion Mother McAuley and upstart Homewood-Flossmoor.
Top 10 Teams
1. Marist (33-5): There isn’t a more experienced setting-hitting combo in the state than four-year starters Maddie Berry (Davenport) and Bella Bullington (Northwestern). Bullington is the East Suburban Catholic Conference’s defending player of the year. Cassidy Cage (Mississippi State), a 6-foot-2 junior, will be a wall in the middle. Added offense comes from senior outside hitter Sophia McKenzie (Loyola), while junior libero Elayna Davidson (Maryland) will again lead the defense.
2. Mother McAuley (37-5): Reigning Class 4A state champs took graduation hits, including one of the nation’s best in Ellie White, but won’t hurt for depth. Seniors Sydney Buchanan (Memphis) and Abbey Williams (Gannon) are tremendous one-two force on the outside, while 6-1 senior Mary Claire Deacy (Siena) continues to be force on the right. All will be targets for talented sophomore setter Peyton Heatherly. Junior Lucy Maloney (Clemson) steps into important libero role.
3. Lincoln-Way East (22-16): Griffins have four returning starters and figure to be frontrunner in tough SouthWest Suburban Conference. Junior setter Maggie Simon has a monster outside hitter to work with in senior Tamia Maddox (Saint Louis). On the right, 6-1 junior Alaina Pollard (Indiana) hits with power and blocks even better. Senior Kyndal James adds experience in the middle.
4. Lockport (29-10): Porters stand tall at net with wealth of returnees who went to Sweet 16 for first time in 20 seasons. Across the board it’s 6-1 junior outside Bridget Ferriter, 6-2 sophomore middle Kyla Mitchell and 5-11 senior right-side hitter Emily McGraw. Also, 6-3 senior Jenna Kolosta returns from injury that kept her out last season, looking to make big impact in middle.
5. Homewood-Flossmoor (25-8): Talented bunch could challenge program’s all-time record for wins (30). Senior outsides LaDonna Trantham (Cal State Bakersfield) and Frances Smith and junior middles Kymora Scott (Wisconsin) and 6-2 Ihuoma Ozoh (Clemson) give Vikings a terrific, four-pronged offense. It all revolves around senior setter Skylar Skinner, a three-year starter.
6. Joliet Catholic (22-14): Tears will flow when 11 seniors graduate, but until then, Angels should have fun and compete. Top returnee is outside hitter Ellie Blotnik, who was the offensive leader last season. Olivia Chovanec was right there with Blotnik in kills from the outside, while middle Heavenly Sarfo topped team in blocks.
7. Lincoln-Way West (29-9): Senior outside Caroline Smith (Drake) is marquee attraction for defending conference champs, but there’s definitely more on the floor. Smith is joined in front line by senior Elly Decker and junior Lily Goyer, while senior Laney Tuttle will anchor the defense.
8. Lemont (26-10): It was certainly a loss when key outside Keira O’Donnell (Southern Mississippi) transferred to Benet, but defending conference champs will still make noise at net. Senior April Rice is one of the Southland’s best at both hitting and setting, while senior outside hitter Sophia Swiderski gained valuable experience last season hitting from the right side.
9. St. Laurence (26-13): All-state outside hitter Kayla Birmingham is ready to roll for her senior season. She plays all six rotations. Senior libero Natalie Martinez led team in digs and serve receptions. Junior McKenna Rake is ready for breakout season in middle.
10. Oak Lawn (27-8): Junior setter Kasey Thompson is blessed. Why? Because seniors Sinead Conroy, Hailey Wierzgac, Amina Maali and Kaitlyn Berkery bring back 600 kills. Senior libero Emma McAuliffe leads defense.
The 25 Players to Watch
- Maddie Berry, Marist, senior, setter.
- Kayla Birmingham, St. Laurence, senior, outside hitter.
- Ellie Blotnik, Joliet Catholic, senior outside hitter.
- Sydney Buchanan, Mother McAuley, senior, outside hitter.
- Bella Bullington, Marist, senior, outside hitter.
- Olivia Chovanec, Joliet Catholic, senior, outside hitter.
- Sinead Conroy, Oak Lawn, senior, middle hitter/outside hitter.
- Elayna Davidson, Marist, junior, libero.
- Mary Claire Deacy, Mother McAuley, senior, right-side hitter.
- Bridget Ferriter, Lockport, junior, outside hitter.
- Quinn Grevengoed, Chicago Christian, sophomore, outside hitter.
- Peyton Heatherly, Mother McAuley, sophomore, setter.
- Abbey Knight, Providence, junior, outside hitter.
- Tamia Maddox, Lincoln-Way East, senior, outside hitter.
- Emily McGraw, Lockport, senior, right-side hitter.
- Kyla Mitchell, Lockport, sophomore, middle hitter.
- Alaina Pollard, Lincoln-Way East, junior, right-side hitter.
- April Rice, Lemont, senior, setter.
- Kymora Scott, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, middle hitter.
- Maggie Simon, Lincoln-Way East, junior, setter.
- Skylar Skinner, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, setter.
- Caroline Smith, Lincoln-Way West, senior, outside hitter.
- Ella Thompson, Lincoln-Way Central, sophomore, middle hitter.
- LaDonna Trantham, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, outside hitter.
- Abbey Williams, Mother McAuley, senior outside hitter.
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
