Must Watch Matches for Chicagoland High School Volleyball: Week 3
As we work our way into week three of high school volleyball seasons for teams all over the state, players and coaches are starting to gauge where certain pieces of their puzzle will fall when building the most potent lineup…
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Continue ReadingAs we work our way into week three of high school volleyball seasons for teams all over the state, players and coaches are starting to gauge where certain pieces of their puzzle will fall when building the most potent lineup possible. Here are the top three teams and matches you are going to want to watch to see exactly how they are making those pieces fit and ultimately leading to their success:
Match 1: Lockport High School v. Minooka High School on Tues. 9/6 at 4:30 pm
Lockport has started off very strong with their season, only dropping two losses of their eight matches played. Lockport has a very strong front row that is a huge piece of their success and will help lead them throughout the rest of the season. Senior outside hitters, Aleksa Simkus and Grace Juergens took hold of Lockport’s offense last week with their consistency along the front row no matter the pin they were on. Their strategic play shows their mature understanding of their role as offensive producers. Jenna Kolosta, a sophomore middle blocker, plays with more confidence than most sophomores would, and that confidence bleeds into all aspects of her play. She has a quick aggressive arm swing that gets on the set fast, beating any defenders that are caught moving on Jenna’s contact with the ball. Junior outside hitter at Minooka, Makenzie Brass puts the power in Minooka’s offense and will put some big numbers on the board at this match.
Match 2: Glenbard West High School v. York Community High School on Tues. 9/6 at 5:30 pm
Both Glenbard West and York are two of the three teams tied for first so far for the West Suburban Conference so the match tonight will be a battle. Piper Barber is a Junior libero who’s quick defensive moves keep the ball alive and rallies going for York. She runs the back court and her serve receive consistency keeps the the offense running in system. With the back court covered by Barber, their athleticism doesn’t stop there. Amalia Toliopoulos, a freshman outside hitter, is a natural athlete who’s fast arm swing and aggressiveness make her unstoppable. Her height might make opponents underestimate her, however that won’t last long once you see just how high she can touch and how quick she gets on the ball. Marin Johnson Marin Johnson 6'2" | MB Glenbard West | 2024 State IL , a junior outside hitter from Glenbard West is going to be the big offensive producer for Glenbard West tonight with her heavy swings in the front row and big block lineup at the net.
Match 3: New Trier v. Loyola Academy on Thurs. 9/8 at 6:00 pm
To make this weeks schedule even more fun, New Trier and Loyola Academy are going to battle it out on Thursday. New Trier has two heavy hitters in the front row both standing at 6’1″, putting up big blocks and great hitting numbers against their opponents thus far. Emma McHatten is an outside hitter that swings at a very high contact and puts away a heavy ball. Ana Vetter Ana Vetter RS New Trier | 2024 State #158 Nation IL , another pin hitter for New Trier, is a weapon whether she is on the outside of right side pin, giving defenders no choice but to get behind her ball fast if they want to keep the ball alive. Loyola Academy’s offense is equally as strong as New Trier’s with the way Julia York and Gabby Charlier run the offense with consistency in their quick release to their hitter. Their abilities do not stop there, both setters are aggressive in the front row and takes swings as right front attackers. Julia York, is a 6′ setter who is only a sophomore, but her play and setting decisions does not make her seem like a sophomore when you watch her. She releases at a high full extension with a very neutral body position, making any blocker trying to read her immediately regret it.