10 Attackers To Watch In 2024 From Illinois Class 3A

Illinois high school volleyball is "SO BACK". Matches are set for next week with plenty of teams looking to make a statement to start 2024. Today, we're taking a look at some of the attackers returning in Class 4A. Some have some accolades attached to their name, others are bound for a breakout season. Class 4A was won by St. Francis who is led by Wisconsin commit Addy Horner can do a little bit of everything from setting to attacking. Who is is going to be making a big mark this year in Class 4A? We have ten names to note!    [player_tooltip player_id='529838' first='Kalia' last='Kroth'] is a rising sophomore and one to watch out of the Class of 2027.  She had a huge club season for 1st Alliance 15 Gold where they were among the best in the country at the 15 Open level. She will be looking to build off of a big freshman campaign at De Paul College Prep where she was a starting six rotation outside as a freshman.  They advanced to the sectional semifinals before dropping a match against St. Ignatius.  Kroth is so explosive when she attacks.  She can hit a quick tempo to the pin and is also a lethal backrow attacker.  When she gets in gear, she is really tough to stop and has a huge impact on every part of the game.        St. Ignatius dopped a tough three set match in the Class 3A quarterfinals in 2023, but return a loaded roster where [player_tooltip player_id='490996' first='Marin' last='Thaxton'] will be a key piece to the puzzle.  The six rotation outside can do a little bit of everything from being able to serve receive, pass, and terminate.  She knows how to use all of her attacking angles to go line, cross, or use the block to her advantage.  St. Ignatius returns setters Audrey Scabes and Sydeny DeProfio who can also attack.  Other attackers who are going to give the other side of the net problems are [player_tooltip player_id='490997' first='Maggie' last='Rankin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='323939' first='Skylar' last='Greene']. Greene's leaping ability is just different where she can score from anywhere on the court.        As a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='491010' first='Avery' last='Boehm'] was named to 1st Team All State in Class 3A. She was the only sophomore on that list where she had a breakout season for Mascoutah where they advanced to the elite eight before falling to Lincoln.  The Indians finished 34-5 overall and went undefeated in the Mississippi Valley.  Boehm averaged over three kills per set and was able to score off multiple tempos to the outside and was a threat on the right side out of serve receive.  She played club volleyball at Blue Steel this past season and will be one to watch as a junior in 2024.        There is always a blizzard when playing Normal University with plenty of “Snow”.  [player_tooltip player_id='311324' first='Levyn' last='Snow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='311325' first='Laney' last='Snow'] are a sister duo who team up together for Normal University where they both averaged nearly three kills per set.  They were both 2nd Team All State as well.  Levyn has committed to play at Grace College in Indiana, an NAIA power.  She has the ability to score a lot of points with a heavy swing.  Plenty of these top athletes who prep at high schools in Normal play together and have had a lot of success in club volleyball at [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'].        [player_tooltip player_id='484764' first='Maizy' last='Agnello'] made a big impact as a freshman at Prairie Ridge, but I think her sophomore season could be huge in regards to statistics and their team record. They were fourth in the Fox Valley and has a strong presence of underclassmen making an impact.  Agnello averaged just under three kills per set and is the type of athlete who can score points in any rotation.  As a six rotation outside, she's not afraid to take a big swing.  She has an aggressive approach and violent arm swing that will give the other side of the net plenty of problems.       Kyle Swenson will be taking plenty of swings for Belvidere North this season.  They are looking to continue their success of a big 2023 where they had over 30 wins, won the NIC-10, and advanced to the super sectional. She has the ability to score on either pin and has been playing club volleyball for [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] out of Rockford.  She has verbally committed to play at the next level with in-state school in McKendree University, part of the GLVC (NCAA D2).         Lemont is ready for a big 2024 where they have plenty of weapons with setter [player_tooltip player_id='194575' first='April' last='Rice'] (Elon) and [player_tooltip player_id='288645' first='Keira' last='O'Donnell'] (Southern Miss).  One of their key attackers returning who has a violent arm swing is [player_tooltip player_id='396842' first='Sophia' last='Swiderski'].  There is no fear in her swing where she can score points on the outside or the right side.  She can paint the line where she can use the hands of the blockers or blast away.  There is experience and depth on this team where that will make for a lethal combination in 2024.        [player_tooltip player_id='288651' first='Kayla' last='Birmingham'] was so fun to watch this club season playing for 1st Alliance 17 Silver where she just has a hammer for an arm swing.  She is tough to defend with how she can attack out of serve receive to different parts of the net from different tempos.  This past summer she gave her verbal to play at UW-Green Bay, part of the Horizon League (NCAA D1) once her high school career concludes. She was a 1st Team All State outside hitter in 2023 where her team lost to St. Ignatius in the Super Sectional round.      Effingham is home to the Flaming Hearts and the Crossroads Classic Tournament with some top teams across Illinois and other bordering states. One of the top players to know from this program is Bella Austin. The senior attacker had nearly 300 kills on the season, averaging just over three kills per set. Dynamic would be an understatement when it comes to how Austin can score points. She is a six rotation outside hitter who can blast away with the best of them, but she can score from the backrow, off the hands, tips, rolls, and a variety of shots. Effingham will be looking for a big season once again with Austin and her attacking counterpart in Bria Beals and Sidney Donaldson who had a solid 2023 campaign.       Having a lefty who can play six rotations and score points from both pins is such a huge asset for any team. That is what [player_tooltip player_id='752937' first='Carly' last='Whitaker'] brings to the table for Morton who notched over 30 wins in 2023 and advanced to the state tournament.  Whitaker was named 1st Team All State and played club at Eastside out of the Peoria area this past year.  She has to be on the radar of plenty of college programs with her ability to score points in a high volume.  Another top attacker returns as well for Morton in Graci Junis who averaged over three kills per set as well.

Illinois high school volleyball is "SO BACK". Matches are set for next week with plenty of teams looking to make a statement to start 2024. Today, we're taking a look at some of the attackers returning in Class 4A. Some have some accolades attached to their name, others are bound for a breakout season. Class 4A was won by St. Francis who is led by Wisconsin commit Addy Horner can do a little bit of everything from setting to attacking. Who is is going to be making a big mark this year in Class 4A? We have ten names to note!