Girls volleyball: DuPage County all-area team
Tori Clifford
Glenbard West
The linchpin of the Hilltoppers' resurgence on the volleyball court is this four-year starter at libero. A dynamic defensive player who leads the 25-10 Hilltoppers in digs (326) and aces (51). She's part of four 20-win teams at Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers' 25 wins going into regionals are the most since the 1983 state championship team. “To go where we've gone the last four years, we wouldn't have done it without Tori,” coach Pete Mastandrea said. “She's brought us to where we dreamt to be.”
Julia Conard
West Chicago
Wildcats coach Kris Hasty said of her junior outside, “she speaks with her actions on the court.” There's a lot to shout about in West Chicago this fall. Conard has a team-best 142 kills and 146 digs, passing 2.24 for 28-7 DVC champions. Her strong jump serve netted 32 aces. She's committed to Illinois. Her value may be greatest in the back row. “Some balls that you don't think anybody's going to get to, she comes up with them,” Hasty said. “She's a fun player to watch.”
Ally Davis
Hinsdale Central
An explosive offensive force, this junior moved from middle to her club position of outside midway through the season. Hard to argue with the results, as the Red Devils ripped off nine-match win streak after Wheaton Classic. She recently committed to Michigan. Davis has an area-high 376 kills at a .374 percentage, 67 blocks and 84 digs. “She's a much more mature player, with her knowledge and ability to execute,” Hinsdale Central coach Sheralynn Kellough said. “It's awesome to see the power she brings to the position.”
Katie Gallagher
York
Gallagher's outstanding athleticism makes this junior setter a multi-dimensional threat. With tremendous vertical jump, she has blocked 4 or more balls in eight matches. Dukes coach Patty Iverson said “she puts up beautiful balls.” No setter duo in the area is better than Gallagher and Emily Iverson. “We are amazingly lucky to have two nice setters,” coach Iverson said. “Not only can Katie hit and of course set but she also plays great defense.”
Meghan Haggerty
Benet
This junior's move back to the middle from outside in lineup shuffle sparked a Benet surge that saw Redwings win 13 of last 14 matches. No coincidence. The Wisconsin recruit is one of the most physically dominant middles in the state, touching 10 feet, 3 inches and standing a solid 6-foot-2. Second on team in kills (221) and hitting percentage (.370) and first in blocks (76) and hitting .420 since her move back to the middle. “When you get her the ball in the right spot,” Benet coach Brad Baker said, “she's unstoppable.”
Emily Iverson
York
York coach Patty Iverson calls her senior setter the 31-4 Dukes' “rock.” “She's just consistent. She doesn't have unbelievable matches,” coach Iverson said, “but she doesn't ever have bad matches, either. Hitters can be comfortable knowing they are getting the same thing every day.” Iverson loves to hit and has 65 kills and 32 blocks to go with 173 digs, a team-best 420 aces and 30 aces. Iverson and Katie Gallagher make up an outstanding setter combo. Her mom, also the York coach, set collegiately for Northwestern.
Jenna Jendryk
Benet
Redwings coach Brad Baker thought this junior right-side's offense could be an X-factor going into season. No area hitter has been better of late. Jendryk was sensational at Mizuno Cup, putting down 21 kills in marathon semifinal win over St. Charles East and hasn't slowed down since. She has 189 kills on the season. “She always had a fast arm,” Baker said, “and over the last month she's developed a multitude of shots.” Jendryk committed to Virginia Tech, where she would hit in the front row and set in the back in a 6-2.
Taylor Kasal
Downers Grove North
The junior setter/right-side/outside can do a little bit of everything. The Trojans ran a 6-2 with Kasal and Jessie Tulacka opposite each other. Washington and Oregon are among the colleges interested in Kasal. Kasal has the ability to hit multiple shots. She's a team leader in kills (173) and assists (384). “She could play any position we needed her to,” Trojans coach Mark Wasik said. “An all-around athlete who knows how to lead a team.”
Kaitlyn King
Benet
The even-keeled senior has been the Redwings' setter last two seasons, running a 5-1 this fall. She's not overly tall but makes up for that with a quick release. King is a good decision-maker who puts ball in the right place. She committed to Maryland. King has 716 assists and 160 digs. “The best thing about Kaitlyn is her demeanor on the floor,” Benet coach Brad Baker said. “She never gets too high or too low. She has that confidence that we're going to get it done.”
Shealyn Kolosky
WW South
At 6-foot-2 this senior middle is a force to be reckoned with at the net. She has developed into a solid offensive option and added shots to the power she already possessed. Kolosky has put down 317 kills with 95 blocks and 35 aces. She's committed to Tennessee, ranked 83rd nationally by PrepVolleyball.com in the Class of 2011. Her older sister Mollie is a junior middle for Boston College. “Shealyn's biggest growth,” WW South coach Bill Schreier said, “has been in her ability to demand the ball at crunch time.”
Gina Madonia
St. Francis
The good-natured, level-headed senior showed perseverance throughout her St. Francis career, making a successful transition from setter to become one of the area's top liberos. Her oder sister Molly also played for St. Francis. Madonia leads the 28-7 Suburban Christian Blue champions with 293 digs. Also a top-notch server with 148 service points, 32 aces and just 7 service errors. “She's a little fireplug,” Spartans coach Peg Kopec said. “A very likeable young girl and very personable.”
Melissa Nava
Hinsdale South
The Hornets sure loved having this athletic junior middle back on the floor. After missing all of last season with a back injury, Nava returned to put down 174 kills hitting over .500 with 52 blocks, 29 digs and 17 aces for 29-6 Hornets. UIC is among the schools interested in Nava. “She's one of the hardest-working kids in the gym and one of the most motivated kids I know to become a better player,” Hornets coach Lisa Martinez said. “She has a genuine love for the game.”
Jamie Netisingha
Hinsdale Central
A fabulous volleyball technician, this senior libero's leadership shines in her ability to instruct and coach girls around her. A hard-working defender who “passes nails” gets better and better, she's committed to Cincinnati. “She knows the game so well,” Hinsdale coach Sheralynn Kellough said, “and explains it to teammates in such a humble way.”
Lara Ontko
Benet
It is difficult to find an outside in DuPage County who hits the ball harder than this Redwings senior. This six-rotation player who attacks out of the back row has matured into an elite all-around talent. She committed to Mississippi and was the MVP at Autumnfest for the 29-6 Redwings. She has a team-leading 245 kills with 221 digs and 51 aces. “At multiple times she takes over matches because she is so dynamic,” Benet coach Brad Baker said. “Sometimes it doesn't matter if someone is standing there. When she gets to it, it's a point.”
Emily Paschke
West Chicago
The senior middle “has improved immensely,” in the words of Wildcats coach Kris Hasty. Indeed the 6-foot-2 Paschke is a force in the middle. She put down 131 kills with 45 blocks for Wildcats team that won its first 26 matches and won the DVC championship for the first time since 1979. Paschke and fellow middle Kathy Fletcher make a great 1-2 punch in the middle. Paschke committed to Northern Illinois. “Physically she came in a lot stronger,” Hasty said. “She has made a commitment to volleyball in the last couple years, and it shows.”
Danielle Romeo
Hinsdale South
Always boasting impressive raw talent, this senior outside has taken her game to another level this fall. She has 241 kills with 145 digs, 37 blocks and 32 aces for 29-6 Hornets. Romeo is committed to Pepperdine. “Danielle has done a complete 180 since joining the Hornet volleyball program,” Hinsdale South coach Lisa Martinez said. “She has grown into a tremendous leader and more importantly a terrific teammate.”
Caroline Rose
York
The Dukes' 5-foot-6 dymano makes the most out of every inch she has. An explosive leaper, this junior outside has 293 kills and 303 digs with 22 blocks and 15 aces for 31-4 Dukes. “People that watch our team compliment me that we play with a lot of heart,” York coach Patty Iverson said, “and Caroline is one of the big reasons for that. She has a passion for playing volleyball and is a real go-getter. She does a lot of things well for us.”
Natalia Skiba
Hinsdale Central
A dynamic all-around talent. A libero for her Sports Performance club team, the 5-foot-9 senior fits in at outside for Hinsdale Central. Ultra-competitive and a creative offensive talent with phenomenal ball control. She is committed to Northeastern. “I've never seen a kid that could read an opponent's offense so well,” Hinsdale coach Sheralynn Kellough said. “We joke on the bench that she reads the opponent's offense before the opponent knows what they're going to do.”
Martha Stewart
Waubonsie Valley
The senior outside emerged as the Warriors' go-to hitter in her third varsity season. Sound work ethic and natural athleticism combines with volleyball smarts to make a well-rounded player who is committed to James Madison. Stewart has put down 308 kills at a .304 percentage with 123 digs, 39 aces and 27 blocks for 25-10 Upstate Eight Valley champs. “She plays club like everybody else,” Warriors coach Kristen Stuart said, “but with her work ethic she makes strides you don't always see other club players make.”
Meg Vonderhaar
St. Francis
The All-Area captain is this senior outside ranked 48th nationally in the Class of 2011, according to PrepVolleyball.com. The four-year starter committed to Notre Dame and Player of the Year in Suburban Christian Conference. Member of Sports Performance 18 Elite team that won the AAU national championship last summer. She put down 341 kills with 41 blocks, 197 digs and 59 aces. “Watching how she takes charge of that team, and puts them on her shoulders is impressive,” Joliet Catholic coach Chris Scheibe said. “She comes from a long tradition of big shoes to fill and I think she's done a good job of it.”
Honorable Mention
Vanessa Abenante, Lisle, Jr.; Katie Battle, Naperville Central, Sr.; Payton Bayless, West Chicago, Jr.; Jessica Boddy, Metea Valley, Jr.; Brigid Campbell, Neuqua Valley, Sr.; Mariah Carpio, Glenbard East, Sr.; Alyson Farm, Benet, Sr.; Jessie Fiala, Naperville North, Sr.; Kathy Fletcher, West Chicago, Sr.; Jill Galovic, Waubonsie Valley, Sr.; Colleen Manion, Immaculate Conception, Sr.; Katarina Milojevic, Hinsdale Central, Sr.; Kelly Reinke, St. Francis, Sr.; Caleigh Ryan, Glenbard West, So.; Morgan Semmelhack, York, Jr.; Ally Simmons, Waubonsie Valley, Sr.; Megan Tompkins, Neuqua Valley, Sr.; Jane Trzaska, Glenbard South, So.; Jessie Tulacka, Downers Grove North, Jr.; Daiva Wise, St. Francis, Jr.