SouthtownStar girls volleyball preview

Updated: August 20, 2011 5:03PM

Over the past nine seasons, few schools have posted as many girls volleyball victories as Marist. Under coach Natalie Holder, the RedHawks never have had a losing season and won 27 or more matches in eight of them.

But they’ve never played on state finals weekend.

The carrot dangles.

“That would be a dream come true,” Marist junior Mallory Salis said. “I’ve won a national (club) championship (with 1st Alliance). Now it’s state. I don’t even know how to say how badly I want it. I couldn’t want it any more.”

She isn’t alone.

The RedHawks, who start the season as the SouthtownStar’s No. 1 team, have a handful of players back from a 2010 squad that won a school-record 37 matches. They also have several impressive newcomers.

Salis, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, was their top kill-producer with 258.

“Mallory is an old-school outside hitter,” Holder said. “And in an age when a majority of hitters only specialize at the net, Mal makes an impact during all six rotations.”

Salis, who is verbally committed to Ohio University, once again will get the ball from senior setter Ashley Holder, who last season led the area in assists (954) and was second on the team behind Caroline Niedospial in digs.

The RedHawks won’t have South Carolina-bound senior Lauren Zielinski, at least for a while. The 6-4 middle had right shoulder surgery on June 30 to repair a torn labrum. Her date to return to the court is unknown.

“We are sad for Lauren, but it’s like any athlete who gets injured in midseason. Someone else is ready to go,” Natalie Holder said. “That’s where we’re at with this. Fortunately, we have some great athletes.

“Rachel Dalton is a phenomenal middle and had a great offseason. Kirsten Ivkovic jumps out of the gym. And Lauren is the first one who is going to be there talking to them, pushing them.”

Senior Dana Loncar has the task of replacing Niedospial at libero. Two newcomers expected to make an impact are junior outside hitter Kelly Marcinek (a transfer from Marian Catholic) and junior right-side hitter Elyse Panick.

“I knew she had the potential, I just didn’t know if she was going to ‘connect the dots’ the way she needed to,” Holder said of Panick. “She is doing a great job — consistently. It’s good to see her living up to her potential.”

2. Mother McAuley (31-8)

Three-year varsity members abound on the Mighty Macs, starting with senior libero Bridget Powell, who was second in the area last season in digs (522). Senior Lizzy Scanlon and junior Sydney Phillips are both powerful hitters, while 6-foot senior Lauren Grady is back in the middle, senior Ryann Arundel at setter and senior Jackie Aird in the back row. Mother McAuley is seven years removed from its last state title, the longest drought in the history of the program.

3. Sandburg (29-9)

Nine graduated players seems like a lot, but Eagles coach David Vales isn’t too worried. Three key returnees are senior setter right-side hitter Kara Kentner, junior setter/right-side hitter Paige Bendell and 6-foot junior outside hitter Dakota Hampton. Kentner was a twin-threat for Sandburg last season with 400 assists and 160 kills. With a year’s varsity experience behind her, Hampton figures to be one of the dominant hitters in the Southland.

4. Chicago Christian (30-10)

The defending Class 2A state champion Knights no longer have versatile Madison Kamp, but they do have plenty of experience to build around in senior Celaine Haan (500 digs), senior middle Becky DeRuiter (265 kills), senior Maggie Kamp (207 kills), junior middle Emily Lindemulder (91 blocks), junior outside Sami Bruinius (130 digs) and sophomore setter Emily Workman (120 assists, 148 digs). Sophomore outside hitters Jessica Krygsheld and Anna Persenaire and sophomore middle Kiersten Merrick are among the newcomers to watch. “They all look hungrier than ever,” Chicago Christian coach James Garcia said.

5. Lincoln-Way East (24-13)

The Griffins should hit well behind strong-armed lefty senior Lauren Behrens and senior Makayla Weller, and block well with 6-3 senior middle Katie Allen. Two juniors who return with a full season of varsity experience are libero Dana Van Dyck and outside hitter Marissa DeGroot. Replacing graduated Katie Connolly at setter will likely be sophomore Taylor Nirchio, while sophomore Kayla Currier is in the running to start at middle. East coach Linda Vivona is in her 30th season in a head coaching career that includes stops at Lourdes and Queen of Peace.

6. Providence (21-16)

Senior Nora Mitros, a 6-foot force at the net, returns after an All-Area campaign in which she put down 164 kills and produced 45 solo blocks. The Class 4A sectional semifinalists have more height in 6-foot Alyssa Podwell and 5-11 Lacey Hill. Outside hitter Katie Urchell is a four-year varsity starter, while setter Krista Brakauskas was among the Southland leaders in assists (716). The Celtics, after losing Noelle Burchett to a knee injury, struggled to a 4-5 mark in the East Suburban Catholic Conference but found their stride in the postseason, winning a Class 4A regional and playing Marist tough.

7. Lincoln-Way North (22-12)

The Phoenix, which tied Andrew for the SouthWest Suburban Red title in 2010, have four returning starters, including All-Conference selection senior outside hitter Stephanie Pearson (196 kills). Junior Ashley Pickert (39 solo blocks) is a 6-foot middle, while 5-11 senior Hayley Wacker has the right side covered. Junior setter Jackie Billie (61 aces) is one of the area’s most lethal servers.

8. Lemont (27-10)

South Suburban Blue Player of the Year Courtney Keefe and setter Vicki Wrobel graduated, but the cupboard hardly is empty at Lemont, which ran the table at 13-0 last season in the South Suburban Blue. Senior outside hitter Emily Brown (169 kills) also is a solid server (165 points). Junior Megan Litaborski will take over the full-time setting duties, while Gabbie Alvarez and Lauren Donar are to step up as defensive specialists. Senior Katie Pellegrene can fill multiple roles as an outside hitter/back row defender.

9. Queen of Peace (20-11)

Senior Katie Rotkovich (204 kills, 37 solo blocks) returns at outside hitter to key a Queen of Peace team that is looking to win a sectional title for the first time since 2002. Rotkovich, right-side hitter Kaylynn Yerkes, middle Allyson Murray and libero Kristi Gierman (274 digs) are among nine seniors.

10. Lockport (22-15)

Porters coach Julia Hudson will be bringing a 32-year head coaching career to an end with a team featuring three-year starter Christina Wilson at setter (412 assists). Senior Anna Bryniarski, who had 40 solo blocks as a middle to go along with 80 kills, will move to the outside. She’s also a serious threat at the service line (32 aces). Junior Aubrey Ficek (30 solo blocks) should help fill the middle.

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