Girls volleyball season has returned! We asked our coaches to tell them more about their teams. Here’s what they had to say.
*Coaches were contacted multiple times for this exercise. Those responses are below. Don’t see your team? Email Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu.
School name: Alcott
Returning Players (name, class, position):
– Kheilany Reyes (Libero) Junior
– Sophie Alvarenga (Middle) Junior
– Maja Ventura (OH) Senior
– Uliana Adamchuk (OH) Junior
– Lenora Zendeli (RS) Senior
– Jacqueline Lopez – Rivera (Middle) Senior
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
– Kylie Brici (OH) Junior
– Genesis Pilco (RS) Junior
– Gabriella Kasp (RS) Junior
– Sophia Quevedo (Setter) Sophomore
– Anna Slobodian (Middle) Sophomore
– Milania Heredia (Middle) Sophomore
Games to watch:
– Von Steuben (9/10)
– Westinghouse (10/6) Senior Night
Coach’s season outlook:
This is our second consecutive season in the Red North Conference. Our goal is to qualify for city playoffs and continue playing in the Red North next year.
School name: Amundsen
Last year’s record: 14-21, 4-6 in conference
Social media handle: @AmundsenVB
Starters returning (name, position, year in school):
Sheane Finn, Junior, OH
Charley Sellers, Senior, OH
Sydney McHatten, Junior, Setter
Anyleslie Jimene,z Senior, DS
Kiera Hagerty, Senior, MH
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):
Sydney McHatten, Junior, Setter
Sherlyn Nieto, Senior, OH
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Harper Rasmussen, Junior, MH
Ruby Nelson, Sophomore, Setter
Annabelle Coates, Sophomore, RS
Natalie Tumbaga, Sophomore, Libero
Coach’s season outlook:
Last season’s step up to the Super Conference was a trial by fire, but it gave us invaluable experience. We’re returning this year fully equipped, sharper, and ready to make our mark. As this group continues to bond, their chemistry is forging a formidable team.
School name: Back of the Yards College Prep High School
Last season’s record: 7-16
Social media handle: @TheYardsVolley
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Alison Granat – Senior – Outside Hitter
Nathalie “NatRod” Rodriguez – Senior – Outside Hitter
Sofia “Cans” Cancino – Senior – Setter
Yaritza Ortiz – Senior – Defensive Specialist
Esmeralda Martinez – Junior – Defensive Specialist
Sofia “Wolf” Barragan – Sophomore – Right Side Attacker
Evelyn “Evil” Macias – Sophomore – Middle Attacker
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Madeline “Mads” Taylor – Freshmen – Right Side Attacker
Denise Guzman – Junior – Setter
Araceli Torres – Junior – Right Side Attacker
Ashley “Kachow” Lopez – Junior – Defensive Specialist
Dana Ramirez – Sophomore – Middle Attacker
Coach’s season outlook:
Coaches are really excited about this upcoming season. We have a lot of returning players finding strengths in new positions, all of which are showing great promise. This team is fun to watch and really comfortable holding each other accountable in the pursuit of one percent growth everyday.
School name: Roberto Clemente Community Academy (RCCA)
Last season’s record: 1-13
Social media handle (if comfortable sharing): @rccachicago on Instagram
Returning starters (name, class, position):
- Neriangeli Benavides, senior, setter
- Dania Osorio, senior, defensive specialist
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
- Brooklyn Caraballo, junior, middle hitter
- Katelyn Laramore, junior, setter
- Yamilet Aguirre, sophomore, setter/outside hitter
- Yarelia Aguirre, sophomore, outside hitter
Games to watch:
- Clemente vs. Instituto, local competitors on Western Avenue
Coach’s season outlook:
- We are excited to be welcoming some new additions to our team, as well as cheering on our rising juniors who made a big impact on the sophomore level last year. We graduated quite a few foundational seniors last year but have a great talent pool to draw on this season.
School name: Hubbard
Last season’s record: 16-8
Returning starters (name, class, position, stats and honors):
Mia Jauregui OH Senior Captain, 4-year varsity starter (225 career digs, 129 career kills, 102 career aces)
Eriana Santana Libero/DS Senior Captain 3-year varsity starter (194 career digs)
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Kimberly Ortega – Setter
Valeria Lucio – MB
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Lexani Garcia – Freshman, OH
Sara Doubleday – Freshman, Libero/Setter
Kimberly Hernandez – Junior, RS/OH
Arriana Vendegna – Sophomore, Setter
Coach’s season outlook: Hubbard got into the red conference 2 seasons ago, went from being 9th in conference one season, to being 4th in conference the following season. Our goal is to stay in the top 3 in conference and eventually winning the conference.
School name: Juarez High School
Social media handle: @bjcavolleyball
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Kiana Shew- Senior, OH
Crystal Espinoza- Senior, MB, OPP
Jazline Salgado- Junior, Setter
Anais Jaime-Junior, MB
Emily Resendiz- Senior, OH
Genevieve Lopez- Junior- Libero
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Stefania Condurache- Senior, OPP, OH
Marisol Santos- Senior, OPP
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Sitlali Garcia- Junior, DS
Sabrina Garcia-Junior, MB, OH
Krissy Velez-Junior, DS, OH
Mia Munoz-Junior, OH, OPP
Mariana Leyva Garcia- Junior, Setter
Games to watch:
Juarez vs Kelly 10/5
Juarez vs Solorio 9/21
Coach’s season outlook:
I am extremely excited for the upcoming volleyball season and the opportunities this group has in front of them. This season looks very promising, with returning players ready to take on new leadership roles and rising players coming out strong and showing great potential. We have already seen growth, energy, and a strong commitment to getting better each day. Our goal is to continue building team chemistry, developing our skills, and competing with confidence throughout the season. I am excited to see what this team can accomplish and believe we have a lot to look forward to this year!
School name: Kenwood Academy
Last season’s record: 14-16
Social media handle: Kenwood_Volleyball
Returning starters (name, class, position and honors):
Oh Jordyn Brogsdale ‘27 25-26 Coach’s Award
Oh Yona Lawal ‘28
Mb Aaliyah Northington ‘27
Alina McLachlan ‘28 25-26 MVP
S Madison Dean ‘27
Rs Kynnadee Carter ‘27
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Rs Naomi Hunter ‘27
Ds Trinity Cole ‘27
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Oh Savannah Jackson ‘29
Mb Kaniah Foster ‘29
S Carson Wood ‘30
Games to watch:
Sept 10th Vs Jones
Sept 15th @Whitney Young
Sept 24th Vs Walter Payton
Oct 6th Vs. Lane Tech
Coach’s season outlook:
Representing Bronco Volleyball in the best way possible! Leaving it all on the floor.
School name: Lane Tech
Last season’s record: 22-15
Social media handle: @LaneTechGirlsVolleyball
College commits: Sophia Polec (Junior) – Ohio State, Sophia Abdullah (Senior) – Colorado College
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Lena Palus, 5’5″, Senior, Libero
Amelie Patterson, 5’11”, Senior, Setter
Elizabeth Gary, 5’4″, Senior, DS
Colette Heneghan, 5’9″, Senior, Outside
Sophia Abdullah, 5’10”, Senior, Middle (Committed to Colorado College)
Sophia Polec, 6’1″, Junior, Middle (Committed to Ohio State)
Janelle-Elise Ibeagha, 5’8″, Junior, Outside
Elle Colgan, 5’11”, Junior, Outside
Newcomers (name, class, position):
Kathryn Lynn, 5’10”, Senior, Opposite
Kaleigh Hatchett, 5’11”, Junior, Middle
Simona Arsic, 6’0″, Junior, Middle/Pin
Abby Pierson, 5’8″, Junior, Opposite
Emma Archer, 5’11”, Sophomore, Setter
Natalia Klosowska, 5’7″, Sophomore, Outside
Zoe Burns, 5’11”, Freshman, Middle/Pin
Lauren Garvey, 5’4″, Freshman, Setter
Games to watch:
We play DePaul on Friday, September 11th, under the lights outside at their football stadium. I coached JV Girls at DePaul for last season, and this game environment was the coolest, so I am excited for the Lane girls to have this same opportunity to showcase the sport in a different way.
Potential storylines/feature story ideas:
Coach’s season outlook:
The talent in our gym is incredible, but talent will only take us so far. We’re building a new program foundation from the ground up, and working to establish a culture that will ultimately define the outcome of our season.
School name: Mather Rangers
Last season’s record: Conference 9-0, Overall 13-12
Returning starters (name, class, position, stats and honors):
Ana Paula Barcenas Asencio, Sr, OH, #12 in Illinois for Service Aces with 88 in only 47 sets and #2 in CPS in Fall 2025
Symiah Pillow, Sr., MB
Sahara Malcolm, Sr., Opp
Nestylen Caldera, Sr., L, OH
Alexis Bui, Sr., S
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Michelle Salinas, Sr., OH, L
Jessica Hernandez, Sr., Opp
Eny Castillo, Sr., S
Sofia Romero, Sr. DS
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Flavia Tucto, Fr., OH
Xeniah Malone, Jr., MB
Lillian LaFratta, Soph., S
Grace Uzeala, Jr., Opp
Fabiana Duque Rivas, Jr., L
Kyra Reyes, Jr., OH
Coach’s season outlook: Last season was our first winning season since the program added the new coach six years ago. After dominating the Green North with a record of 9-0, we have moved into a much more challenging division, the Red North. We hope to finish in the middle of the conference this year. What we lack in height, we make up for with defense, serving, and heart.
School name: Orr Academy
Last season’s record: 1-9
Returning non-starters:
Tyler Shipp, Jr
Heaven Townsel. Jr
Coach’s season outlook:
We’re a young team in the rebuilding stage. Our focus this season is on developing the fundamentals, building confidence, creating team chemistry, and establishing a strong volleyball culture.
We will compete, learn from every experience, and continue to get better.
School name: Washington High School
Last season’s record: 11-16
Social media handle: @gwhs_vb
Returning starters (name, class, position)
Annabelle Hernandez, Junior, Setter/Right Side
Ruby Martinez, Junior, Libero
Emmely Rodriguez, Senior M
Joscelyn Bautista, Senior RS
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Amarelis Padilla, Senior M
Alexa Mendoza, Senior, OH/DS
Merari Diaz, Senior, DS
Aubrey Davis, Junior, RS
Alexa Canchola, Junior DS
Cassandra Hernandez, Senior, OH
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Marlene Nevarez, Sophomore, OH
Catalina Villa, Sophomore, M
Annabella Quiroz, Junior, OH
Michelle Quiroz, Sophomore, Setter
Xiomara Trevizo, Sophomore, Libero
Games to watch:
- Amundsen
- Kenwood
- Hancock
Coach’s season outlook: We are a neighborhood school in the Chicago Public Schools Super Conference. We have a younger team this year with lots of ambition to maintain a high level of competition. Our goal is to improve our conference record from last year’s!