Best Bets: IHSA 4A Teams and Players to Return Downstate
Instead of focusing on club volleyball for the moment, let’s look at high school teams and players in the 2020-2021 season that could dominate and return to the IHSA 4A. This is an “All things being equal” article, using the…
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Continue ReadingInstead of focusing on club volleyball for the moment, let’s look at high school teams and players in the 2020-2021 season that could dominate and return to the IHSA 4A. This is an “All things being equal” article, using the same sectional assignments from last year.
Teams to return to the IHSA Final Four: Benet, Fremd
Benet Academy: With all things being equal and roads being similar for all programs involved, no one will stop Benet to return to the state tournament. Their roster is too strong and talented. Look for a repeat state champion. Possible teams to watch: Minooka
Fremd: A year older and wiser, look for Fremd to push through their regions and super-sectional to return to the state tournament. Possible teams to watch; Libertyville, Glenbrook South
Surprise teams to watch: Mother Mc Auley, Huntley
Mother Mc Auley: Falling in the shadows of Marist for the past three seasons, this might be the year they return to the state finals. Marist graduates a big portion of their roster and should reload, but that is not a guarantee. Possible teams to watch; Marist, Sandburg.
Huntley: They are quietly gaining respect as they return key players to push Wheaton Warrenville South for their super-sectional title. Possible teams to watch; Downers Grove North, Wheaton Warrenville South.
Key Players to Watch:
Rian Baker Rian Baker 5'11" | S Fremd | 2022 State #143 Nation IL , 2022, S, Fremd, Sky High Adidas 16 Black
Having played on both the state high school and national club stage, Baker brings all the skills you want in a setter. Great hands, good court sense and an athletic ability to get the job done. Baker returns to the controls of the Fremd offense in 2020. She continues to be the starting setter for the 4A IHSA final four team. Her leadership skills develop as being the mainstay of the Sky High program.
This team’s quarterback is a sophomore, so watch out for aggressive sets and athletic plays. Also, be on a lookout for intangibles such as leadership and experience in big games to play a factor in this outcome. Rian has experience with 557 assists for the 2019 high school season.
Rylen Reid
Rylen
Reid
6'0" | OH
Fremd | 2022
State
#128
Nation
IL
, 2022, 6’0, OH, Fremd,
Sky High
Reid amassed 422 kills and 226 digs on the 2019 season. She was having a great club season and should carry that momentum over into high school come fall.
Izzy Segoviano, 2022, 5’6, L, Fremd, Sky High
Not just another libero with talent, Segoviano made key digs and passes to help Fremd climb their way up the Illinois volleyball ladder. Look for her passing to be paramount in their success come 2020-21.
Rachel Musienga, 2021, S, Benet, Adversity , Penn State
Easily one of the top setters in the state, Musienga can set the ball from anywhere on the court. In the IHSA State Championships, Rachel had 21 assists along with a match-high 3 service aces, added 4 kills, 5 digs, and 4 block assists in the win. Looking to take her skills to PSU in 2022, the Nittany Lions could have themselves a four-year starter.
Kyla Kenney
Kyla
Kenney
5'11" | S
Benet Academy | 2021
IL
2021, 5’10/DS-OH, Benet Academy,
Adversity
17 Adidas,
A great outside hitter with both offensive and defensive skill sets, Kenney is another Benet player that also plays in the Adversity program. In the 2019 Benet Academy season, Kenney had 236 kills 18 blocks, 26 aces 13 assists and 151 digs. She had a great run at the IHSA state playoffs semifinal and final, collecting seven and four kills, respectively.
Emma Konie
Emma
Konie
5'10" | S
Huntley | 2021
IL
, 2021, 5’10, OH, Huntley,
VC United
VBC, Uncommitted
Here’s a student-athlete that play’s above the net. When Konie is making her approach, she looks like she’s gliding. She runs multiple patterns of attack and they all seem to work, efficiently.
Allyson Panzloff, 2023, 5’11, RS, Huntley,
Sky High
, uncommitted
Only a freshman, Panzloff is the future of Huntley. In her first varsity season Allyson provided a much needed right side block, and also brings an ability to score when needed.
Gwen Wolkow, 2022, 6’0, RS, Downers Grove North
In 2019, Wolkow, a freshman, had 152 kills and 37 total blocks in 92 sets for DGN. She has become a trusted offensive threat, ready to become a leader in only her sophomore season.
Connie Lebel, 2021, OH, Mother McAuley, Michio
Part of the soul on the Mighty Macs team, she played in 87 sets and had 267 kills. Lebel will be the one to key on defensively as a six-position player. Not only are they focused on regionals but the Marist in their sites, one of the big challenges in their quest to reach states.