Lyons Township High School senior girls volleyball player Maddie Richard welcomes the transition from key role player to experienced leader. After the Lions’ third consecutive 30-win season with a veteran lineup in 2023, Richard, senior Reagan Farnan, junior Kate Heatherly and sophomore Taylor Carroll are the lone returning starters.
“Last year, I kind of left that [leadership] job to seniors who had been on varsity for a few years,” said Richard, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter. “But this year I’ve tried to teach what it means to play at the varsity level and always be encouraging. You always have to give 100 percent in practice because that’s what is going to end up translating in the game.”
Numerous Lions are prepared to step up after last year’s 30-8 season (3-3 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division), which ended with a 26-24, 25-22 Class 4A Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinal loss to Willowbrook, who finished third in state.
Seniors Kate Badrov, Livia Metrik, Molly Ogden and Nina Wasz also are varsity returnees. Newcomers are juniors Molly Eskra, Madison Jones, Emma O’Brien, Anabelle Olson, Kate Potter and Corinne Yanzy and sophomores Julia Ahrens and Colleen Chambers.
Five 2024 graduates are now playing college volleyball, three at Division I schools and two at Division III. There could have been more.
“We do have a lot of newbies. While the names are looking a little bit different, I think the quality of play could be similar to what we’ve had in previous seasons,” LTHS coach Jill Bober said. “It’s a really fun challenge to see how the girls are meshing together, but stressful because we don’t have a consistent, comfortable lineup going into the season.”
For seniors like Badrov, a setter/right-side hitter who will play at Carthage College, this is their chance to excel.
“There are a lot of new names, but I think that each girl’s skill level contributes to one another,” Badrov said. “I’m really excited to be on the court this year and stepping into big shoes to fill.”
The Lions return offense. The 6-1 Carroll and Richard were third and fourth in kills last season with 150 and 136, respectively. Already impressive as a freshman, Carroll also was fourth with 42 blocks.
Chambers will be part of a one-setter or two-setter offense with Badrov. Chambers’ mother, Sheila, who also is Carroll’s aunt, is a former standout setter for the Lions and played at DePaul.
Farnan is the veteran of what should be another strong back row. Farnan was second last year with 252 service receptions and fifth with 113 digs.
Heatherly or Ahrens probably will play libero. Heatherly (10 digs) was promoted to varsity in mid-October and contributed throughout the postseason.
Metrik, Yanzy and Jones are among the middle hitters. Other outside hitters include Potter and O’Brien, a 6-1 Division I basketball recruit who has shown significant improvement.
“I’ve just seen everyone forming connections with each other. It shows a lot of promise for our team on and off the court,” Richard said.