First games of the volleyball season are just mere days away. Here we take a look at our schools and what they anticipate for the upcoming season. Don’t see your school? Contact Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu to get your team on the site!

*All coaches were contacted multiple times for this article. Those responses are listed below.

School name: Alcott College Prep 

Last year’s record: 6-9

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):

Angela Kamp, OH, Captain, Senior (4 year varsity starter)

Alister Broadfoot, M, Senior

Viktoriia Babinska, S, Junior

Tess Arnold, RS, Junior 

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

Kiara Haynes, L, Senior

Ariana Harmon, OH, Senior

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Liza Babinska, S, Sophomore

Iryna Shovdra, OH, Sophomore

Kheilany Reyes, L, Freshman

Skye Burlingame, M, Senior

Karen Lopez, RS, Junior

Samiya Jordan, M, Junior

Coach’s season outlook: Our goal is to be top 3 in our conference. 

School name: Amundsen 

Last year’s record: 22-10, 8-1 in conference

Social media handle: @AmundsenVB

Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats/honors if available):

Ava Solomon Junior RS, 

Freja Brask Junior MH,

Zoe Brask CAPTAIN, Senior moved to OH, 

Zoie Bell CAPTAIN, Senior setter 

Molly Hammell Senior OH

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

Moira Wyatt, CAPTAIN, Senior Libero

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Sheane Finn is a Freshman OH on Varsity. 

Nyla Caraway is a Freshman setter on Varsity 

Sydney McHatten is a Freshman setter on Varsity 

Coach’s season outlook: 

We went 3 sets with Lincoln Park and lost by 2pts so we remain in the Red North Conference. I do believe that this is year we will win Conference! We have a number of returning players. We have a tall team and everyone plays club volleyball. It will be a fun group to watch!

School name: Aspira 

Last year’s record: 9-4

Starters returning:

Leila Calderon 

Rosalinda Fierro

Coach’s season outlook: Last year coming in 2nd with a lot of our players graduating so we are a young squad hoping to compete again this year!

School name: Clemente

Social media handle: @rccachicago

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):

• Jamaris Nguyen, middle hitter, senior
• Kayla Porrata, setter, senior
• Arina Koleiko, outside hitter, senior
• Talina Figueroa, defensive specialist, senior

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

• Mariana Cerpa, defensive specialist, senior

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

• Soraya Caillouet, outside hitter, junior
• J’maya McQuieter, middle hitter, senior (returning from an injury that sidelined her last year)
• Ciyandrea Riley-Davis, right side hitter, junior
• Ta’khari Robinson, defensive specialist, junior

Coach’s season outlook: This year, we have a talented group of starting seniors, such as Jamaris Nguyen and Kayla Porrata, and several players joining the varsity team as juniors, like Ciyandrea Riley-Davis and Soraya Caillouet. The Clemente Wildcats are looking forward to a competitive season. We are excited to be further developing our offensive options with a strong front row and perfecting our defense with a deep bench of ace passers. We have a few players who were unable to compete last year coming back for their senior season, like J’Maya McQuieter and Jania Norris. While we can’t mention everyone on the team, we are expecting this season to be successful with all the girls on the team!

School name:  Crane Medical Prep High School

Last year’s record: 4-10

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):

Taniya Reynolds-OPP (SO) 

Ariael Buckly – Setter (JR)

Ginger Morgan – Setter (SR)

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

Genette Bowers – MD (SO)

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Essence Hale – OH (Fr)

Shannon Breeze – Libero (FR)

Mariah Williams – DS  (SO)

Alicia Mitchell – Setter (FR)

Coach’s season outlook: To take last year’s season learn from it, adjust, and grow. To win more games this year than last year for sure!

School name: Dyett

Last year’s record: 3-6

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):

Keyana Sanderson, Outside Hitter, Senior

Raelynn Bosley, Outside Hitter, Senior

Casshay Bishop, Opposite Hitter, Junior

Endiyah Wilson, Opposite Hitter, Senior

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

Breyana Cox, Opposite Hitter, Senior

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Albelina Morales-Restituyo, Outside Hitter, Junior

Oluwatunmishe Fowowe, Middle Blocker, Junior

Coach’s season outlook: 

We have a solid team that has worked well together. With great communication and teamwork, we are destined to make a nice run this season. 

School: Hancock 

Starters returning (name, position):

Erin Gunnell – Setter

Jessica Ballasteros – Middle Hitter

Andrea Orellana – DS/Libero

Key reserves returning (name, position):

Tiffany Garcia – Setter

Isabella Morales – OH 

Ema Mora – RS

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Rebecca Love – Sophomore – OH 

Coach’s season outlook: The past three years we have been in third place in our conference, our goal this year is to win our Red South Conference. 

School name: Juárez

Social media handle : @bjcavolleyball 

Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats/honors if available):

Kiera Shew- Outside Hitter, Senior

Kiana Shew- Outside hitter, Sophomore

Mariana Soto- Middle Blocker, Senior

Jasmine Vargas- Setter, Senior

Jasmine Reyes- Middle Blocker, Senior

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school, stats if available):

Cristal Espinoza- Middle/ Right Side, Sophomore 

Yaletsi Carrillo- OH/RS, Senior

Ariana Vargas- Libero, Junior 

Melissa Munoz- Right Side, Junior

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Elizabeth  Swiontek- OH/RS, Senior

Yelitza Hernandez- OH/RS, Senior

Tanya Miranda- RS/setter, Senior

Marisol Santos- setter, Sophomore

Genevieve Lopez- Libero, Freshmen

Coach’s season outlook: 

As we gear up for another exciting season of high school volleyball, the Juárez Lady Eagles are poised to make a strong impact on the court. With a blend of experienced upperclassmen and promising newcomers, the team is set to build on the successes of previous seasons and push for even greater achievements.

School name: Kennedy

Last year’s record: 12-8-2

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):

SR- Xitlali Lopez- S

SR- Karolina Carreon- Libero

SR- Paxson Krolak- OH/RS

SR- Bianca Arroyo- MH

JR- Mariana Ceron Sanchez- S/OH

JR- Madeleine Kurysz- OH

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

SR- Angelica Stasik- DS

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

FR- Kayle

Coaches Outlook:

We are a small but mighty team planning to be a formidable opponent to all teams we take on. We finished 2nd in the red south conference, so our goal is to finish 1st this year. We’re chasing the high of last years’ second regional championship for our program and look forward to what this season brings. On behalf of the Kennedy coaching staff and athletes, we wish all teams a successful season! 

School name: Lane Tech College Prep

Last year’s record: 21-14

Social media handle: https://www.instagram.com/lanetechgirlsvolleyball/

College commits: Mary Denny to UMASS Boston, Ellie Madrigal to Barry University, Maggie O’Brien to Quincy University

Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats):

Seniors:

Juliana Apezzato DS – 238 Receptions Last year.

Kasey Flynn – Middle –  40 Blocks Last Season

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):

Anya Moore – Setter – Senior

Amia Carreno – DS – Senior

Mia Djuric – RS – Senior

Samantha Jenkins – RS – 68 kills, – Senior

Alyssa Loverde – Setter 

Sophia Abdulla – Sophomore – Middle

Colette Heneghan – Sophomore – Outside Hitter

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Sophomores:

Lena Palus – Defender

Freshmen:

Sophia Polec – Middle

Janelle-Elise Ibeagha – Outside HItter

Coach’s season outlook: We have a lot of returners as well as new players that should help our team do well this season. We hope to improve our record of 21-14 this season. We had fun hosting the IHSA Regional playoffs and hope we can do it again next year.

School name: Northside College Prep

Last year’s record: 17-16

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):
Jr – Maia Khetani – OH (captain)
So – Caroline Wright – MB (captain)
Jr – Evy Chan – L/DS
Jr – Sezim Amirakulova – L/DS
Jr – Lily Fisher – S
Jr – Bridget Ward – OH
Sr – Payton Phoxay – Opp

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Fr – Jilliyn Yung – S

Coach’s season outlook: We ended middle of the pack for the Gold Super Conference last season.  We are looking to go over 500 in conference, take 1st at our Varsity Invite, and make a run at City and Regionals.  Very excited about this group!

School name: Walter Payton College Prep 

Last year’s record: 22-15 

Social media handle: paytongirlsvolleyball (Instagram) 

Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats/honors if available):

Marissa Mancine: Senior, Libero 

Cilia Conley: Senior, Middle Hitter 

Isa Hughes: Junior, Setter – holds the record the most assists in a single season with 405 at Payton 

Emily Sprenger: Junior, Middle Hitter – stands at the top of the conference in blocks from last season 

Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school, stats if available):

Anastasia Churyla: Sophomore, Middle Hitter 

Kate Murray: Sophomore, Outside Hitter 

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Eliana Snopek: Freshman, Outside Hitter

Charlotte Fumerton-Porter: Sophomore, Opposite Hitter

Coach’s season outlook: 

This year, the Payton Grizzlies have a tough and competing team. We are hoping to bounce back from a loss in the CPL SemiFinals match and hope to make it to the finals this year. We are hoping to compete and be back-to-back regional champions this year and chase a sectional final appearance or title in a tough class and sectional. We are carrying over our momentum from a spectacular season last fall and hoping to surpass our win goal this year by at least 4 games. Our goal is to minimize mistakes and serve line-to-line aggressively. We also hope to play tough defense against the big teams. If we can do all of that, we will surpass 22 wins and get a regional championship.

School name: Phoenix Military Academy

Last year’s record: 9-8

Social media handle: @pmavolleyball

Starters returning (name, position, year in school):

Liliana Gonzalez – Sr

Journi Easter – Sr

Allisson Castillo – Sr

Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):

Marisol Castro – Sr

Coach’s season outlook: With many of the sophomores from last year’s 8-1 winning JV season coming up to the varsity level I have high hopes for this year’s team. The Lady Firebirds have been hard at work this summer in the weight room 3x a week and attending Loyola University’s volleyball camp in July. Our fundamentals have improved over the summer so I am looking forward to seeing our program develop and take it to the next level in 2024 and in years to come!