Impact Players To Know at The Crimson Classic

Opening weekend of the high school season is always exciting. Got a game? Got a chance. Every team is learning, teams are making statements, and every team walks away from these events with something new. While there are still plenty of question marks heading into the season, we do have some players we know who can make an impact of their teams. A lot of these athletes are coming off a big club season and this is their chance to show what improvements they have made in the offseason. Take a look at these athletes who can make an impact in what will be a loaded Crimson Classic put on by Plainfield North.    Marist heads to the Crimson Classic as the top seed and rightfully so, returning plenty of attackers and a well balanced, defensively sound team. One of the top middle blockers in the Class of 2026 suits up for the RedHawks in [player_tooltip player_id='325496' first='Cassidy' last='Cage'] who is a physical force at the net. She is the type of middle blocker who is going to make the other side of the net think twice about their swing. She had a big season for Sports Performance this past club season and will be heading to Mississippi State. Not only is she a presence defensively, but she can score with a variety and tempos and routes where teams will always have to know where she is.     St. Ignatius is looking for another really strong season in 2024 where they have multiple attackers who can terminate with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='323939' first='Skylar' last='Greene'] and [player_tooltip player_id='490996' first='Marin' last='Thaxton']. One of the setters who will do plenty of dishing is [player_tooltip player_id='249635' first='Audrey' last='Schabes']. I've seen Schabes since her freshman season where she has always shown great footwork and quick hands where she can hold the opposing middle to push the ball quickly to the outside. She will have plenty of options in 2024 where the Wolfpack bring a high powered attack. They will be in a Friday night bracket with OPRF, Plainfield East, and Lincoln Way West.     [player_tooltip player_id='288635' first='Jenna' last='Kolosta'] has always been part of the 1st Alliance Gold teams from the Class of 2025. She is a standout middle blocker for Lockport where they will look to make an impact at the Crimson Classic this weekend. Kolosta has a high IQ where she can read the other side of the net to close the block as well as get out in transition and find her setter to hammer a quick tempo. Lockport has a senior heavy roster where other senior contributors would be Samantha Bogdonaite, Emily McGraw, and Sadie Denk. A sophomore to keep tabs on would be [player_tooltip player_id='412536' first='Kyla' last='Mitchell'].     Petrides will be one the other side will have to identify where she is a very dynamic middle blocker. She is 6'2 with a high snap on her contact where she can run multiple tempos in front of the setter and can terminate off one foot with a slide. She is a major presence with her block with how high she can touch as well as getting pressed over the net. When she is in the front row, she makes a lot of positive things happen. Maine South will take on Bolingbrook in the opening round of the Crimson Classic.     Lincoln Way East is going to be one of the top teams in the state where they have plenty of options when it comes to score points. One athlete who is absolutely electric and just puts a hurt on the ball is [player_tooltip player_id='288626' first='Tamia' last='Maddox']. Maddox is committed to St. Louis University, part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. She has been a key player to [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] Volleyball Club where there will be plenty of their athletes at this tournament. Another exciting attacker for Lincoln Way East is [player_tooltip player_id='319759' first='Alaina' last='Pollard'] who is dominant in the middle and is a 2026 prospect who has given her verbal to Indiana.     Hinsdale Central will be a team to know at the Crimson Classic this weekend and one of their attackers who can score from the right side is [player_tooltip player_id='325507' first='Nora' last='Bergin']. Bergin is a 2026 pin attacker who is extremely dynamic, she's very fast to the ball where she can cause a lot of chaos on the other side of the net. The Red Devils are also paced by UIC commit [player_tooltip player_id='288653' first='Ava' last='Young'] who is one of the top senior liberos in the state. Their first match will be against LW Central.     Teams who take on Minooka will be seeing a whole lot of [player_tooltip player_id='323945' first='Brooklyn' last='Brass'] who will be taking swings from everywhere on the court. In 2023, Brass averaged 4.6 kills per set, hit .378, and averaged 3.5 digs per set. She also led the team in aces. Brass had a big club season for Sports Performance this past year where she was able to show her ability to defend and score at a high level. She will be heading to Maryland after high school, part of a strong core of athletes from Illinois in the Class of 2026 going to the Big Ten.     Kreutz is so back. She has a cannon for an arm, plays smash mouth volleyball where she isn't afraid to swing big and be aggressive. She will be a key senior leader for Loyola this season where she will see a high volume of swings. The Ramblers will look for her to score from the front and backrow. Kreutz will be ready. She had a strong club season for [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] 17 Adidas and will be a great pick up at the next level.     Normal University High will be no secret heading into the Crimson Classic this weekend. They have plenty of tradition and will have another high powered team in 2024. They are led by the Snow sisters, but another attacker the other side of the net needs to be aware of is [player_tooltip player_id='311320' first='Isabella' last='McKinney']. She has a huge left handed swing from the right side which really spreads the defense. She is electric and can score points in bunches. U-High lost in the sectional final last year and they will be looking to make it a couple more steps to Redbird Arena. They will take on Metamora in the opening round Friday night.     Burgdorf will be heading to the Crimson Classic where she can completely take over a match. She is so solid in serve receive and can pass to attack from anywhere. Her ability to score points is special. She can blast with the best of them cross court and down the line, but it is her shot making ability that sets her apart. The ability to change speeds, angles, and use the block to her advantage is what brings her to an elite level. She will be taking her game to Penn State following high school, continuing a Chicago pipeline to Happy Valley.

Opening weekend of the high school season is always exciting. Got a game? Got a chance. Every team is learning, teams are making statements, and every team walks away from these events with something new. While there are still plenty of question marks heading into the season, we do have some players we know who can make an impact of their teams. A lot of these athletes are coming off a big club season and this is their chance to show what improvements they have made in the offseason. Take a look at these athletes who can make an impact in what will be a loaded Crimson Classic put on by Plainfield North.