Move up ladder in sight for Hisdale Central on court

Updated: August 23, 2011 9:22PM

Hinsdale Central is looking to make an even bigger impact in one of the greater Chicago area’s best public-school girls volleyball conferences.

The West Suburban Silver produced last season’s IHSA Class 4A state champion (Lyons) and fourth-place team (York). Both teams return plenty of talented veterans, but the Red Devils feel like they have plenty of skilled players to challenge the league favorites.

With five returning starters, this could the be year for Hinsdale Central (26-12 overall last season, 3-3 conference).

“(On the conference) side, it’s a rough, frustrating issue. We always feel there are outstanding teams,” said Hinsdale Central coach Sheralynn Kellough. “We know we can beat anybody in a game, but that’s what makes it fun, too. You have to ready for that competition.”

The Red Devils could meet York in the final of the Benet Invitational on Saturday, but Hinsdale Central would have to beat loaded Benet in pool play Friday night. The next time Hinsdale Central would meet York is Oct. 18 in Hinsdale.

Hinsdale Central was scheduled to opens the season at Lemont on Wednesday, and will meet Lemont again in its second pool-play match at Benet on Friday. The Red Devils open tournament play against Stagg.

Kellough has one of the area’s top returning outside hitters back in 6-foot-1 senior Ally Davis, who will play at the University of Michigan, where former St. Francis standout Erin Virtue has joined Mark Rosen’s staff as an assistant coach. Davis had a minor knee injury in the preseason, but appears to be 100 percent for the season opener.

“It’s hard to believe as good as she was last year, she looks even better this year; her knowledge of the game, leadership on the court and she hits the ball hard,” Kellough said. “She’s an explosive player. It’s hard to describe and a lot of fun to watch.”

Meghan McDowell, a 6-2 junior who committed to the University of Virginia, has beat out senior Ellie Van Keirsbilck for the starting setter position. Kellough said there may be situations where the Red Devils will use two setters to take advantage of the left-handed McDowell’s hitting. Van Keirsbilck will likely start at defensive specialist when not setting.

McDowell mainly saw action as a right-side hitter last season, but was the setter for her club team — Aurora-based Sports Performance 16 Elite — in the offseason.

The Devils’ No. 2 outside hitter is 5-7 senior Katie Grabowski. Middle hitter Sanne Hillbrich, a 6-1 senior, returns after missing all of last season due to a broken leg. The other middles are 5-11 junior Lucy Crofton and 6-2 junior Dominique Millette.

The team’s top candidates at libero are Rachael Lenderman and Coco Bergdoll, who can also play outside hitter.

Hinsdale South defeated Central 25-23, 22-25, 25-18 in last year’s sectional semifinal. The District 86 schools will meet again in Hinsdale Oct. 20.

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