The Nazareth Academy girls volleyball team surprised many by going from three victories in 2024 all the way to second in Class 3A in 2025. Even with seven returnees and key veterans, not much has really changed for the Roadrunners.
“Last year we were seeded fourth in our sectional. We were in the underdog mindset,” said senior Madeline Briscoe after Nazareth won the De La Salle Sectional Nov. 5. “This year is a little different with our seeding but we’ve talked as a team. We’ve wanted the same mindset, no matter who we play, to put that fire underneath us.”
The Roadrunners found that second wind – or flame – when it mattered most Monday to defeat Lemont 25-22, 12-25, 25-16 at the 3A Hinsdale South Super-Sectional and return to the state semifinals. Nazareth (27-13) plays Geneva (30-10) at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The third-place 3A match is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, followed by the final at 5 p.m.
Seniors Lexi Van Eekeren (10 kills, 10 assists, 4 blocks), Sadie Quinlan (6 kills, 8 digs, 18 serve receptions), Talia Surendran (9 kills) and Briscoe (17 assists, 10 digs), junior Tess Tortorello (10 digs, 21 serve receptions) and sophomores Elizabeth Mackenzie (5 blocks) and Ellie Warren (5 kills) contributed to the victory.
Nazareth coach Esai Velez said focused serving was important in winning the third set.
“Give credit to Lemont. We broke down in our serve and pass (in the second set). We started making (serving) errors,” Velez said. “We went less aggressive on our serve (in the third set) and what we tried to do was locate the ball better. The message was don’t worry about the ace. Let’s serve the ball where they move a little bit (defensively).”
Hawaii commit Van Eekeren, Quinlan, Surendran, Briscoe, Tortorello and Mackenzie played in last year’s 25-20, 25-20 state title loss to Normal’s University High.
The Roadrunners have won seven straight and 16 of their last 17 and earned the No. 1 sectional. They started 11-12 with most of their losses to powerful 4A opponents.
Nazareth’s Talia Surendran (21) raises up the plaque after the Roadrunners’ victory over Lemont during the Class 3A Hinsdale South Super-Sectional Championship match Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 in Darien, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Nazareth’s Lexi Van Eekeren (7) goes up for a kill attempt against Lemont during the Class 3A Hinsdale South Super-Sectional Championship match Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 in Darien, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Nazareth’s Emily Gravante (4) serves the ball against Lemont during the Class 3A Hinsdale South Super-Sectional Championship match Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 in Darien, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Nazareth’s Madeline Briscoe (8) returns the ball against Lemont during the Class 3A Hinsdale South Super-Sectional Championship match Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 in Darien, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“A bunch of us know what it’s like to get to state,” Briscoe said. “We lost the (title) game but now we are coming back with fire to win. We all know what it takes and are ready to apply it.”
Lyons Township volleyball
For LTHS seniors Taylor Carroll and Colleen Chambers, the Lions’ 25-20, 25-18 loss to Marist in the 4A Argo Sectional semifinals Nov. 3 was a tough finish in multiple ways.
While the Lions (31-7) saw the end after being one of the area’s best teams, the cousins probably will never be competitive teammates again.
Carroll (Xavier) and Chambers (Wisconsin-Platteville) will play college volleyball.
Lyons’ Shannon Carroll (12) returns the ball against Marist during a Class 4A Argo Sectional semifinal match Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Summit, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons’ Francesca Wolf (23) goes up for a kill attempt against Marist during a Class 4A Argo Sectional semifinal match Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Summit, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons’ Taylor Carroll (20) serves the ball against Marist during a Class 4A Argo Sectional semifinal match Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Summit, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons’ Julia Ahrens (33) passes the ball against Marist during a Class 4A Argo Sectional semifinal match Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Summit, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons’ Colleen Chambers (22) sets the ball against Marist during a Class 4A Argo Sectional semifinal match Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Summit, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“It’s definitely super-weird, like a strange feeling knowing we’re not playing (together),” Carroll said. “I’m looking forward to my sister (sophomore Shannon) and my other cousins playing.”
Carroll (3 kills, 5 digs, 18 service receptions), Chambers (10 assists, 6 digs), seniors Julia Ahrens (12 digs, 11 serve receptions) and Avery Lee (4 digs), juniors Ula Garbauskas (3 blocks) and Gabby Munoz (7 service receptions) and sophomore Olivia Pora (7 kills) led the Lions.
The Lions had 13 kills with five attack errors for the match and one service ace.
“We still tried and were true to our principles and stayed pretty calm under pressure but we didn’t play our best in this important game,” Chambers said. “That’s going to be a hard one (without Carroll). She’s just such a great player, makes everyone around her look so good and is easy to set. I’m very glad to have been able to share three years (on varsity) playing with her.”
The Lions reached 30 victories for the first time since 2023 and shared the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title with state semifinalist Oak Park and River Forest.
However, their sectional included Mother McAuley and Marist, who have been rated No. 1 and 2 in state most of the season. The Lions reached No. 3 at one point and were consistently among the top 10. Marist (33-5) lost in the sectional final to McAuley (36-4), which plays OPRF in the 4A semifinals.
“I did truly feel if we were going to get taken out, it was going to be against a Marist or McAuley,” LTHS coach Jill Bober said. “We didn’t execute as much as we needed to in order to win that (Marist) match. I’m so proud of the way that they played this entire season. Still proud of the way they played against Marist. But Marist executed so well. They probably played the best defense, serve receive we’ve seen (scouting them) all season.”
A four-year varsity player, Carroll passed 1,000 career kills and Chambers 2,000 assists in the two-set victory over Stagg Oct. 24. Ahrens passed 750 career digs the same day against Lockport.
Carroll, Chambers, Ahrens and Pora were All-WSC Silver selections.
“I’m definitely going to miss the girls,” Carroll said. “I have four more years of volleyball but LT volleyball, getting to play with my best friends and for my high school, especially with so many family members who have been there in the past, was a super, special experience for me.”