Libertyville, Warren and Stevenson, who take the three top spots, will likely compete for the North Suburban Conference title.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Libertyville (30-10): The Wildcats were hit hard by graduation after tying for first place in the North Suburban Conference and winning a Class 4A sectional title last season. Promising junior middle hitter Avery Maddux, sophomore libero Charlie Fleegle and senior middle hitter Grace Coughlin are key returnees.
2. Warren (26-11): The Blue Devils have a solid mix of returning talent and promising newcomers to make a run at the NSC title. Senior outside hitters Lauren Schilz and Taylor Coombes, senior right-side hitter Allison Jiang and junior right-side/defensive specialist Madelyn Ide are joined by senior middle blocker Alyse Murphy-Spiteri, junior setter Lyla Christensen and sophomore middle blocker Shayla Ray.
3. Stevenson (31-8): Senior outside hitter Ava Wysocki, an Illinois recruit who had 153 kills and 77 blocks last season, is one of the top players in Lake County. The Patriots will build around her, with sophomore setter Ryler Bondad a key returnee.
4. Lakes (23-10): The Eagles will pursue their second straight Northern Lake County Conference title. Senior outside hitter Adey Martin and senior middle hitter Riley Bell-Nance are a strong duo for the Eagles.
5. Grayslake Central (21-12): The Rams will lean on junior setter Amelia Lacroix, junior libero Madalene Meckl and senior outside hitters Katelyn Marcelain and Mallory Wachter to attempt to win the NLCC title for the second time in three years.
6. Mundelein (20-13): The Mustangs have a senior-dominated group with several three-year varsity players. Senior outside hitter Allison Kampa, who had 138 kills last season; senior setter Norah Emso, who had 500 assists and 229 digs; senior libero Sarah Choi, who had 275 digs; and junior setter Bella Snow are key players.
7. Carmel (18-20): Nine players, including five whose careers are continuing in college, graduated. Defensive specialist Madi Johnson, outside hitter Heather Kintis, libero Molly Malzahn, middle hitter Lauren Olson and outside hitter Reese Wagner — all seniors — could make the Corsairs a strong defensive team.
8. Wauconda (13-20): The Bulldogs are looking to reach the top of the NLCC with a cohesive group. Senior libero Lilah Dudey, senior outside hitter Kaiya Denny, junior outside hitter Laci Smith and sophomore setter Avery Geoghan are among the top returnees.
9. Lake Zurich (15-17): Senior middle hitter Karen Rejent and sophomore setter Ella Elsen are the only two returnees for the Bears. Freshman setter Sage Olson and sophomore outside hitter Emerson Smith will play key roles.
10. Deerfield (29-9): The Warriors lost nine players to graduation after reaching a Class 3A sectional championship match last season and will build around senior middle hitter Uma Schulz, a Smith commit, and senior outside hitter Adi Zilberman.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Riley Bell-Nance, Lakes, senior, middle hitter
- Ryler Bondad, Stevenson, sophomore, setter
- Hadassah Brown, Waukegan, junior, outside hitter
- Kiersten Cieslinski, Vernon Hills, sophomore, outside hitter
- Taylor Coombes, Warren, senior, outside hitter
- Emma Crow, Antioch, senior, middle hitter
- Kaiya Denny, Wauconda, senior, outside hitter
- Lilah Dudey, Wauconda, senior, libero
- Norah Emso, Mundelein, senior, setter
- Charlie Fleegle, Libertyville, sophomore, libero
- Emily Hammond, Vernon Hills, senior, libero
- Allison Jiang, Warren, senior, right-side hitter
- Allison Kampa, Mundelein, senior, outside hitter
- Avery Maddux, Libertyville, junior, middle hitter
- Molly Malzahn, Carmel, senior, libero
- Adey Martin, Lakes, senior, outside hitter
- Madalene Meckl, Grayslake Central, junior, libero
- Lauren Olson, Carmel, senior, middle hitter
- Zendrea Pfau, Grant, sophomore, outside hitter
- Karen Rejent, Lake Zurich, senior, middle hitter
- Dunja Savic, Highland Park, junior, outside hitter
- Lauren Schilz, Warren, senior, outside hitter
- Uma Schulz, Deerfield, senior, middle hitter
- Bella Snow, Mundelein, junior, setter
- Ava Wysocki, Stevenson, senior, outside hitter
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
