Through four seasons as a varsity starter, senior middle hitter Sofia Owens has seen significant changes within the Riverside Brookfield High School girls volleyball program.
“I’ve always been the youngest so it’s definitely a level change. I like being a senior,” the 6-foot-1 Owens said.
“Every year we’ve just gotten a lot better. (Third-year head coach Caitlin Staib-Lipinski) has brought our program to a new level, improving it every year. I think we can do really great things this year if we just have the drive to win.”
In Owens’ first three years, the Bulldogs finished first or shared the best record in Metro Suburban Conference play.
This season, the Bulldogs join the Upstate Eight Conference and play in the seven-team East Division with a roster of only 11 but eight returnees and five seniors.
“I’m really excited to have new competition. I’m just excited to see how we’ll do at a higher level,” Owens said.
The Bulldogs finished 19-15 in 2023, including a perfect 6-0 to win the four-team MSC in its final season.
Seeking their first regional title since 2016, the Bulldogs lost to Downers Grove North 23-25, 25-17, 25-16 in last year’s 4A Riverside Brookfield Regional semifinals.
“We’re coming into this conference ready to play and compete and we’re coming in as the underdog,” Staib-Lipinski said. “I feel like we’re ready to prove ourselves so I think having a senior class that’s been with me three years, they’re on the same page.”
Owens is a three-time All-MSC selection. Junior setter Claire Cameron joined Owens on the 2023 All-MSC team with graduated Annabel Krueger.
Senior Aimee DiBattista, junior Lucy Boyle and sophomore Mackenzie Sloger also are returning starters and seniors Elaina Harazin, Avery O’Shaughnessy and Tatiana Sanchez are varsity returnees. Newcomers are junior hitters Lily Mills and Kate Zobel and freshman Nina Johnsen.
Another highlight of joining the UEC is the addition of a sophomore level coached by Logan Wiseman.
“It’s nice to have a lot of returners. And five seniors, which is good for leadership,” Staib-Lipinski said.
“We take every game, every practice at a time. Also the main thing is having fun. When we’re having fun on the court, that’s when everything comes together.”
Last season, Owens had a team-high 170 kills with 48 service aces and 47 total blocks. She also led the Bulldogs in 2022 with 130 kills and as a freshman recorded 109 kills and a team-best 32 blocks.
Cameron had a team-high 373 assists in 2023 with 59 aces and 134 digs after 160 assists as a 2022 mid-season varsity call-up.
Outside hitters Boyle (133 kills, 107 digs, 269 serve receptions in 2023) and Sloger (107 kills, 57 aces) also were huge offensive contributors.
DiBattista (74 digs) will anchor the back-row defense with Sanchez and Johnsen. Sanchez and hitter Harazin played in about half of the sets last season.
With Krueger’s graduation, the Bulldogs will mainly use a one-setter offense with Cameron.
“Now I just feel a lot more comfortable on the court with my team. I grew with my hitters and connected better with them,” Cameron said. “I think we just need to stay locked in and know what we’re working for in a match.”
The Bulldogs are 3-3 with two three-set victories and losses. They finished 14th at the Plainfield North Invite Friday and Saturday with a 2-3 record, beating Maine South and Wheaton Warrenville South in three. They beat Timothy Christian 25-23, 13-25, 25-22 in the Aug. 28 opener.
Stat leaders have included Owens (40 kills, 8 blocks), Cameron (104 assists, 10 aces), Boyle (35 kills, 11 aces, 39 digs), Sloger (32 kills, 48 digs) and DiBattista (113 serve receptions).