The Springfield area’s first volleyball matches open on Monday.
None may be more intriguing than Taylorville’s jaunt to Rochester in a showdown between two programs routinely bristling with talent.
Here’s a breakdown of the area’s top players for the 2023 season, listed in no particular order.
More:Meet the SJ-R volleyball players of the year and all-area team
Ruth Becker, Springfield High
The senior outside hitter just may tout the biggest arm in the area. She amassed 252 kills, 319 digs and 44 blocks to lead the Senators to a third straight 20-win season (not counting the COVID-19 season) and their first City title since 2014. SHS will also turn to senior outside hitter Alix Bibb, who shifts over from defensive specialist.
Natalie Alexander, Chatham Glenwood
The senior middle hitter drummed up 153 kills and 52 blocks. Other seniors include Becca Riggle (185 digs), Mariah Musser (161 assists) and Elise Barnard. The Titans will also summon sophom*ore Mya Marshall (117 kills) in addition to a robust class of freshmen that went undefeated at 30-0 and won the Illinois Elementary School Association state title in 8-4A. The newcomers include Reagan Littrell, Alexis Neumann and Morgan Wiezorek.
Ava Hillyer, Sacred Heart-Griffin
The junior setter dished up 590 assists,173 digs, 49 aces, 43 kills and 25 blocks. Fellow junior hitters Macie Rolf (195 kills, 250 digs) and Josie Mack (108 kills, 52 blocks) also return to the floor.
Sydney McAfee, Pleasant Plains
The senior outside hitter tallied 277 kills and 228 digs and will lead the front row following the departures of standouts Lauren Buxton and Peyton Bergschneider.
Paige Weatherford, Pleasant Plains
The senior libero produced 285 digs to help fuel the Cardinals to the Class 2A super sectionals for a second consecutive season.
Jazmin Seaton-Hobson, Raymond-Lincolnwood
The junior outside hitter manufactured 102 kills and 104 digs and is expected to assume a larger role alongside fellow juniors Morgan Cowdrey (setter) and Kierstyn Denney (right-side hitter). Libero Taryn Millburg hails as the only senior in the lineup.
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Kloe Froebe, Lincoln
The Colorado State University women’s basketball commit also shares the volleyball floor with fellow senior hoops teammate Becca Heitzig. Froebe, a senior outside hitter, totaled 294 kills and 246 digs en route to the team’s first regional title since 2014 in Class 3A. Heitzig, The State Journal-Register’s reigning Female Athlete of the Year, returns for both volleyball and cross country this fall after piling up 365 digs as a libero.
Peyton Sasse, Lincoln
The junior hitter was a tour de force with 320 kills. Fellow senior hitter Alyssa Company netted 117 kills and77 blocks.
Charlotte Beatty, Rochester
The senior setter will help command the offense. She compiled 336 assists, 218 digs and 131 kills to help propel the Rockets to a third straight Class 3A regional title.
Ellie Gegen, Rochester
The senior hitter furnished 213 kills, 89 digs and 40 aces and returns with the most kills on the team following the graduation of Emma Dixon.
Areonna Craine, Southeast
The senior setter dialed up 683 assists, 244 digs and 55 aces. Senior outside hitter Jayla Davis flourished with 245 kills, 266 digs and 56 aces, along with junior middle hitter Diamond Walker (80 kills, 53 block). Transfer Araya Garrison joins the team.
More:Why Williamsville volleyball and its junior hitter will be on everyone’s radar this season
Britni Walters, Williamsville
The junior outside hitter helped carry the Bullets to the Sangamo Conference and Class 2A regional titles with 325 kills and 275 digs.
Riley Holliday, Williamsville
The junior setter galvanized the offense with 628 assists, 144 digs and 55 aces. She already has more than 1,000 career assists.
Addie Stadsholt, Athens
The versatile junior can contribute in a number of ways. She totaled 195 kills, 135 digs, 84 assists and 45 blocks for the Warriors. Fellow juniors Karsyn Jacoby (213 kills, 266 digs, 33 aces and 22 blocks) and Isabella Link (145 kills, 232 digs, 32 aces and 16 blocks) proved to be just as prolific, along with senior Kenna Celitti (157 kills, 45 blocks and 28 aces).
Mazie Fleming, Taylorville
The junior middle hitter registered 168 kills and 69 blocks to help the Tornadoes punch their first-ever ticket to the state finals in Class 3A.
Robyn Odugbesan, Taylorville
The sophom*ore middle hitter ignited on arrival with 181 kills and 51 blocks.
Ainsley Johnson, Calvary
The sophom*ore middle hitter helped fuel the Saints to their best season in program history with 141 kills, 79 digs and 36 blocks. She was named the SJ-R’s Small School Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year this past spring. Senior setter Izabella Larson is the only other returning starter with 370 assists. The Saints finished 17-7 overall last fall.
Grace Davis, Mount Pulaski
The senior middle hitter provided 197 kills and 239 digs. Sophom*ore middle hitter Alyson Murphy returns as another starter.
Reaghan Jonas, Nokomis
The senior middle hitter will lead a young group after producing 62 kills and 76 blocks. Junior setter/right-side hitter Becca Hill contributed 88 kills, 82 digs and 106 assists.
Reese Megginson, Auburn
The junior outside hitter sparked the Trojans with 118 kills and 121 digs, along with senior outside hitter Madi Neighbors, who poured in 166 kills and 51 digs. Senior setter Sydney Rabideau directed the offense with 422 assists.
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Phoebe Cochran, Lutheran
The junior outside hitter will help usher in a new chapter. The Crusaders rolled to a second straight state finals appearance in Class 1A but graduated almost close to their entire roster. Junior twins Meena and Piper Taylor will step into the fold, along with juniors Reese Reavis and Clara Bruner, and sophom*ore Leah Grussenmeyer.
Kylie Lucykow, Staunton
The senior libero led the Bulldogs to a third straight South Central Conference title with 362 digs, 37 assists and 24 aces.
Contact Bill Welt: 788-1545,bill.welt@sj-r.com,Twitter.com/BillWelt
