Must Watch Matches for Chicagoland High School Volleyball: Week 1
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After a long summer and lots of hard work, high school players everywhere are finally ready to head into their first week of matches. High schools all over Chicago have been using their summer camps to ensure a strong start…
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Continue ReadingAfter a long summer and lots of hard work, high school players everywhere are finally ready to head into their first week of matches. High schools all over Chicago have been using their summer camps to ensure a strong start to their season and this week is filled with nothing but competitive matches. To kick off the first week of matches, here are the top high school matches and players to watch during the opening week:
Match 1: Mother McAuley vs. Joliet Catholic on Tues. 8/23 at 6:30 pm
Both Mother McAuley and Joliet Catholic Academy finished among the top in the state tournament last season, and are certainly working to finish down at the Redbird Arena at the end of this season as well. Come playoff season, McAuley will be competing for a 4A state title and while Joliet Catholic will be competing for a 3A state title, until that point in the season, they both have filled their schedules will heavy competition in preparation for bringing home another trophy. Both schools graduated several seniors, but there are some notable players to keep an eye on when they are up against each other. Ellie White Ellie White 5'11" | OH Mother McAuley | 2024 State #34 Nation IL is a junior outside hitter for Mother McAuley but is more than capable to execute every aspect of the game. She recently committed to the University of Michigan but has her goal for this high school season to take care of first. For Joliet Catholic, Allie Wuestenfeld is an aggressive libero who is well aware of what it takes to be on a winning team and I am looking forward to seeing how her senior season unfolds.
Match 2: Bolingbrook High School vs. Hinsdale Central on Wed. 8/24 at 5:30 pm
Bolingbrook is going to be an exciting team to follow throughout this season. After having a historical season last year and playing well into the playoff season, they have a couple of players who are ready to come back and lead their team even further. Senior 6-rotation outside hitter, Madison Shroba is a leader in every way when she steps on the court and will show you just how much she loves the game. As a Lewis University commit, she is disciplined in her backcourt defense and uses her range of offensive shots to lead her team in kills. When you put Madison and Junior setter, Sarah Harvey, on the court together, Bolingbrook’s offense is unstoppable. Alexa Knapp is a senior setter who is one to keep an eye on for Hinsdale Central High School, as she is coming into her senior season ready to run the offense with her determined leadership and great IQ.
Match 3: Oak Park River Forest vs. Plainfield North on Fri. 8/26 at 6:00 pm
Oak Park is in for a big season ahead of them with the addition of a very athletic and aggressive setter, Kinsey Smith Kinsey Smith 5'10" | S Oak Park And River Forest | 2024 State IL who is a junior and as mentioned before, has a great offensive connection with Kansas commit, Grace Nelson Grace Nelson 6'1" | OH Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State #37 Nation IL . While both Smith and Nelson are fun to watch, there are two other leaders that I anticipate taking on a big role this season and on Friday night against Plainfield North. Phoebe Shorney is a 6’1″ outside hitter who is built to run the front row both as a point scorer with her high attack on the ball, but also as a blocker. Keria Kleidon is another threat to keep an eye on during Friday night’s match as she gets the job done as a backcourt defender and as a hitter with her heavy and aggressive arm swing. Lauren Jansen and Victoria Bouska will certainly put up an aggressive fight on the other side of the net as both outside hitter (Jansen) and middle blocker (Bouska) for Plainfield North. Victoria is a middle that you need to be on fast as a blocker because of her ability to execute behind the setter off of one foot with her heavy arm.