2024-25 Girls Volleyball Season Preview

 A new season of girls volleyball is upon us, and there are many intriguing storylines to be talked about, and more will certainly develop as the season progresses. Several traditionally strong programs will have new faces in leadership roles, both on the court and off. Several new coaches are taking over programs this year. We'll break things down by conference, providing an overview of how we THINK things will go (In sports, especially at the high school level, nothing is certain).

Cahokia (Illinois)

We feel that there are a few teams that could certainly challenge for a conference title, and potentially for some postseason hardware. Carlyle have had several strong seasons as of late, and we think that the Indians will continue that trend for this season as well. Their senior class has several talented players, including OH Lera Schmeink. Wesclin are the defending conference champions, and could certainly contend with their cross-county rivals for the conference crown. Sr. S Elena Wessel will be a key piece for the Warriors this season. Red Bud have a young, but fairly experienced group, and may be able to wreak havoc in the area, especially later in the season. DS/L Maria Murry will be one of the best sophomores in the area. Chester lost a fair bit of production from last season's 24 win team, but return enough to be competitive, including Jr. hitter Maggie Caby. We think that Sparta will improve this year, but how high in the standings they climb is an unanswered question at this point. Another senior-laden group, look for MB Erin Kempfer to be a main contributor for them. Okawville lost some key players from last year, but will still be a tough out come playoff time in 1A.  Look for MH Caroline Tepe to lead the Rockets this year.

Cahokia (Kaskaskia)

This division has been led by one team as of late, but we think that this will be one of the more competitive conferences in the area. Valmeyer lose 5 starters from last year's team, but long-time coach Karla Bivins has kept the Pirates as one of the strongest programs in our area for 1A. Sr. S Violet Krekel will be counted on heavily to keep the tradition going. Marissa-Coulterville have their eyes set on dethroning the reigning champs, and we think that is certainly possible. Their Sep. 3 matchup will be an early barometer for both teams. Hannah Krause and Annie Villareal will be leaders for the Meteors this season. Steeleville, who have been competitive in the conference for the past few seasons, will be a team that should not be overlooked this season. Their MB duo of Shaylee Ayers and Hannah Middendorf will help them push for potential playoff success. New Athens are a program that have had success in the past, and will look to re-capture some of that this season. MH Nora Hager and the Tucker duo of Lilly and Abigail will lead the Yellow Jackets this year. Dupo have a new coach, with Freeburg alumna Lily Dircks taking over for the Tigers this season. Sr. Allie Taylor will be a leader for them this year, and will help to improve the Tigers this year. Lebanon have some returning pieces, and will look to be competitive this year. Autumn Guyette is a name to watch for the Greyhounds.

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Cahokia (Mississippi)

It seems that just about every year a team from this league specifically makes a deep run, which points to the quality of programs that this conference has. The Breese Central Cougars, who year in and year out are one of THE teams to beat (in any class) in our area, will look to continue their success for this season as well. MB Peyton Benhoff will be a key piece for the team this year. Columbia have a young group, but a very talented one, and may be a team that could make a deep run this year (although 2A is always a very talented class). Jr. Kinley Jany and So. Claire Sandstrom will be ready to take on all and sundry this year. It will be a year of change for Freeburg, with many of their leaders from last year and their head coach having moved on. However, the program has been strong for many years, and we think that the Midgets will be a tough out for anyone this season. Salem had a nice run to end last year, winning a 3A regional. This year's Wildcat squad will look to replicate that this year, and with several players returning from last year's squad, including S Emma Gregg, that could be achievable this year. Roxana host one of the premier small-school tournaments of the year, and their performance in their own tournament will be a good gauge for the Shells this season. The Shells will be a battle-tested group come playoff time, which may prove beneficial. East Alton-Wood River will also open their season at the Roxana Tournament, and like their rivals, their performance there will provide a guide for how the rest of the season may go. OH Kenadie Romero is a name to watch for the Oilers this year.

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Gateway Metro

This league has provided some entertaining and exciting matchups in its short existence, and we think that that trend will continue this season. Althoff strike us as a team on a mission this year, with enough returning talent to make a push for a Regional title in a tough 2A field. Gabby Orlet will be one of the best setters in the area, and a talented junior class will look to continue the tradition of success that the Crusaders have had. Father McGivney will be a solid squad again, and will look to avenge an early playoff exit at the hands of Gibault. The junior duo of Mia Lieberman and Grace Nesbit will be leaders for the Griffins, who could possibly make a push for a 1A Regional title this season. Marquette will be a competitive unit this year, with S Rose Brangenberg penciled in as a name to watch for the Explorers this year.  We were unfortunately unable to find any information on Christ Our Rock, but the Silver Stallions have traditionally been a solid program, and we as such will assume similar results for them this year. Maryville Christian have the potential to make a big jump, with most of their production coming from underclassmen last year. Sophomore Ella Harrison will be a player to watch for the Lions. 

Metro-East Lutheran have a fairly young group this year, but a fairly tough schedule will hone the Knights into a team that certainly can not be overlooked. MH Avery Simaytis looks to be a main cog for MEL this year.

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Independents/Non-Area Conferences

The lone team in our coverage area in a conference predominantly comprised of teams outside it, the Comanches of Cahokia have a few returning players from last year's regional semifinalist squad. DS Synia Forest will anchor the back row for the Comanches, while the offensive attack will be led by Jermaira Ewing. Gibault will be looking to push for a 1A regional title this year, with the Grohmann duo of Kamille and Karmon leading the way for the Hawks. Granite City will look to continue the slow positive growth of the past few years, with setter Brooke Drennan striking us as the name to watch in southwestern Madison County this year. Just down Route 203, the Madison Trojans will look to field a competitive squad this year. S Amiya Gregory is a name to watch for Madison this year. For the first time in the 49-year history of the program, there will not be a Rakers coaching at Mater Dei. Former assistant Cortney Walker takes the helm for the defending state champion Knights, and the expectations still remain high for the program. MB Alyssa Koerkenmeier looks to continue her stellar athletic career, and help lead the Knights to another strong season.

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Mississippi Valley

The MVC is always a rock fight, and volleyball will be no exception to the rule. We think Mascoutah are the team to beat, even with a new coach in charge, with Brooke Kloess moving over from Freeburg. Avery Boehm is the player to watch, but there is certainly more than just her. Another deep run in the playoffs is certainly achievable. Triad are a team with the right balance of experience and young talent to be a tough team to beat. Senior Ellie Bugger and Sophomore Grace Parker exemplify the dichotomy for the Knights. Waterloo are led by a strong group of juniors and sophomores, but senior Emerson Horvath will be leader for Coach Crawford and the Bulldogs this year. Civic Memorial have a very experienced group this year, but if they can make it one step further and win a regional remains to be seen. The back row will be a strength for the Eagles this year. Highland graduated most of their contributors, but have traditionally been a solid program, and we think they will still be a competitive volleyball team. Jersey should improve, with plenty of returners back the Panthers should take a step forward, led by MH Meredith Gray. 

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Southwestern

There are a few questions regarding the SWC, and what the answers to those questions are remains to be seen. Can Edwardsville continue their reign of dominance with plenty of returners back? Will Belleville West build on last season's impressive post-season run, with key pieces back in Adela Gagen and J'La Sparks? Where will O'Fallon fit in, with some key pieces gone from last year? We do think the Panthers will be strong once again, with Sophia Waitukaitis leading the way. Belleville East lost most of their main contributors, but utilized more depth than perhaps any other team in the area. Will last year's varsity experience help them in new roles? Collinsville return nearly their entire roster from a regional finalist team last year. Avery Johnson will be another high-level sophomore to look out for. There are some changes in personnel for Alton this year, but we think the Redbirds will still be solid. East St. Louis return a few pieces from last year's team, and we think that the Flyerettes will be an improved team this year. 

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Thank you for reading our volleyball preview, everyone! We look to forward to getting out to some games this season.