Amboy
Coach: Nicole Jones (4th season)
2025 record: 10-19-4, 3-9 NUIC
Top returners: Morgan Kreiser, sr., S; Maddie Althaus, sr., OH; Lili Leffelman, sr., MB; Aubrey Wells, sr., MB; Callan Christoffersen, sr., DS
Key varsity newcomers: Teagan Payne, jr., L; Addi Blaine, jr., OH; Alexa McKendry, sr., OH; Lexi Davis, sr., DS; Faith Fenwick, jr., OPP
Worth noting: Jones says the team has a solid returning group of upperclassmen and some freshmen to balance things out.
“Our team has talent and we have some good options,” she said. “If the players work together and our leaders step up, this season will be one for the record books. We have big goals and we will accomplish them together as a team!”
Bureau Valley
Coach: Saige Oleson (4th season)
2025 record: 15-17, 8-4 LTC (4th)
Top returners: Libby Endress, sr., S; Mya Shipp, jr., M; Brynley Doty, jr., OH; Leah Birdsley, jr., S; Elise House, jr., M; Brooke Helms, jr., DS
Key varsity newcomers: Sierrah Taylor, sr., OH; Kiara Dye, jr., DS
Worth noting: Oleson is looking forward to seeing how the seniors continue to lead and the juniors improve.
“We are going into every day with the mindset of being better than yesterday. Better people, better volleyball players, better teammates and better students,” she said. “We are looking to be competitive inside the LTC again this year, but also making a statement this season with a strong non-conference schedule as well. The girls are ready to get this season started with a lot of personal and team focused goals to keep us motivated in the coming months.”
Dixon
Coach: Bunyan Cocar (14th season)
2025 record: 22-10, 8-1 BNC (1st)
Top returner: Rayven Mowery, jr., OH
Key varsity newcomers: Abby Hicks, sr., OH; Maddy Scully, sr., S; Ellen Cole, jr., S; Katie Simpson, sr., OPP; Payton Cox, jr., MB
Worth noting: Cocar says it will basically be a new team this season after graduating so many contributors.
“This year we are starting over with new players at five of six positions. Lots of learning to do, but I’m excited for the possibilities,” he said. “Every year is a new challenge whether we return a lot of kids or very few. This year we may have new kids playing, but we will still grow and develop and become the best versions of ourselves.”
Eastland
Coach: Katie Krogman-Grobe (2nd season)
2025 record: 27-11, 11-1 NUIC South
Top returners: Keara Kaus, jr., S; Jade Hammer, so., OH; Emerson Mlakar, so., MH
Key varsity newcomers: Amelia Ernst, sr., L; Rory Preston, sr., OH; Kiera Higley, jr., MH; Makenna Blair, jr., RS; Hayden Joens, jr., DS
Worth noting: The Cougars shared the conference title with Fulton last season. Kaus is chasing 2,000 career assists as a junior. Eastland lost a number of key seniors to graduation, including All-State pick and NUIC MVP Trixie Carroll.
“We are looking to fill a lot of holes and develop new leaders as we are a much younger team than last year,” Krogman-Grobe said.
Erie-Prophetstown
Coach: Rachel Bramm (2nd season)
2025 record: 32-5, 12-0 TRAC (1st)
Top returners: Alaina Frank, jr., OH; Kayler Pritchard, sr., MB; Ellah Brooks, sr., DS/L
Key varsity newcomers: Lia Milem, so., S; Ava Johnson, so., OH/OPP; Emma Anderson, so., DL/L
Worth noting: The Panthers graduated 11 seniors, including four all-area players. Bramm says team goals include finding an identity as a young team and continuing their tradition of success.
“We will look a lot different this year, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity to surprise people this season with a new generation of volleyball talent,” Bramm said.
Forreston
Coach: Shannon Williams (12th season)
2025 record: 2-26-2, 0-12
Top returners: Bree Schneiderman, sr., OH; Drue Behrends, sr., MH; Jenna Alexander, sr., OH; Cara Pals, jr., MH; Hannah Vinnedge, jr., DS
Key varsity newcomer: Paityn Williams, fr., S
Worth noting: Coach Williams says a team goal is to finish in the top three of the conference. “Coming off a losing season, we are trying to rebuild confidence and an expectation to win,” she said.
Fulton
Coach: Stacy Germann (32nd season)
2025 record: 29-9, 11-1 NUIC
Top returners: Chloe Wilkin, jr., MH/RH; Brianne Brennan, jr., S; Kerby Germann, so., OH; Iris Williams, sr., MH/RH; Averi Bush, sr., OH; Peighton Stretton, sr., DS; Zoe Kunau, sr., S
Key varsity newcomers: Ella Folk, jr., OH/RH; Jordan Brechon, jr., MH/RH; Lexi Horne, jr., DS; Nora Kingery, jr., MH/RH; Sara Hodge, jr., RH; Wrenn Coffey, jr., DS
Worth noting: The Steamers return five starters from last year’s co-NUIC champions. Wilkin is a Southern Illinois University recruit. Germann was an IVCA All-State second-team pick as a freshman, and Bush was an All-State honorable mention.
“Blocking will be a force for us,” coach Germann said. “We are returning a good nucleus and they possess a strong-willed hunger. This crew has great game knowledge and has spent countless hours in the gym during the season and off-season. This will put them ahead of the game while their skill level will increase with every game experience.”
Milledgeville
Coach: Kurt Folk (10th season)
2025 record: 29-7, 8-4 NUIC
Top returners: Kennedy Livengood, jr., OH; Lexis Grenoble, jr., S; Claire Ottens, jr., MB; Ava Dodson, so., OH
Key varsity newcomers: Jozlynn Castro, sr., OPP; Elaina Pilgrim, jr., DS; Kallie Schryver, fr., Utility; Alexa Hutchison, fr., MB
Worth noting: The Missiles lost six seniors to graduation, including first-team all-conference pick Kendra Kingsby. However, they return four experienced players, including Livengood, who had 278 kills and 230 digs as an all-conference first-team selection.
“The team is young and will continue to grow and progress as the season wears on,” Folk said. “It is possible the team you see in August will be completely different from the team that finishes in October.”
Morrison
Coach: Jill DeRycke (3rd season)
2025 record: 13-20-3, 3-9 NUIC
Top returners: Elle Milnes, sr., OH; Claire DeRycke, sr., L; Bricelyn Osborn, sr., S; Sophie Damhoff, jr., M; Halle Schaefer, so., M
Key varsity newcomers: Caitlin Renkes, jr., DS; Kinley White, jr., OH; Eve Milnes, os., M/OPP
Worth noting: Coach DeRycke says the team is ready to show what it has been building over the last two seasons.
“The coaching staff has been working hard on changing the culture of Morrison volleyball,” she said. “The team has been training hard over the summer, where they have developed a great team chemistry. Our numbers continue to hold, which is a great thing to see in high school sports. The team has a strong mindset and is ready to achieve some goals they have set for themselves.”
Oregon
Coach: Farrell Tremble (7th season)
2025 record: 5-21, 3-5 BNC (7th)
Top returners: Izzy Berg, jr., MH; Lola Schwarz, jr., OH; Shaylee Davis, sr., OH; Cassie Krup, sr., RS
Worth noting: Berg provides the Hawks with blocking and also has a high kill rate. Oregon also returns both of its outside hitters from last season in Davis and Schwarz. The Hawks are looking to make progress after a down season last year; they finished with their first losing record since 2013.
Newman
Coach: Debbi Kelly (31st season)
2025 record: 18-19, 6-4 TRAC (6th)
Top returners: Bella Lanning, jr., OH; Brooklyn Smith, sr., S; Lauren McClain, jr., OH/S; Kennedy Shippert, sr., MH/OH; Amaya Gomez, sr., L; Ruby Burger, jr., MH
Key varsity newcomers: Gianna Vance, jr., DS; Aubrey Devine, jr., MH; Kate VonHolten, so., OH
Worth noting: The Comets got back on track last season after winning 16 more games, including a three-set win over second-seeded Sherrard in the regional semifinals before falling to Princeton. Kelly says team goals include winning the conference. Lanning and McClain are both two-year starters.
Polo
Coach: Emily Meinert (2nd season)
2025 record: 20-11-2, 6-6 NUIC
Top returners: Reese Mekeel, jr., MB; Brylee Laskowski, jr., S; Hadley Hillison, sr., L
Key varsity newcomers: Sam Gray, jr., MB; Macie Mandrell, jr., OPP: Lexi Christen, fr., S
Worth noting: The team will look to gain experience after graduating six seniors.
“This season is all about building chemistry and coming together as a cohesive unit,” Meinert said. “We aim to stay competitive in every game, maximize run production by creating opportunities for our hitters, and finish the season with a winning record.”
Rock Falls
Coach: Jolene Bickett (3rd season)
2025 record: 21-15, 6-3 BNC (5th)
Top returners: Kaltrina Lecaj, sr., OH; Miley Bickett, jr., S; Isela Valdivia, sr., L; Taylor Segneri, sr., OH
Key varsity newcomers: Julia Renner, sr., MB; Alivia Heald, so., MB; Madi Eikenberry, so., OPP
Worth noting: The team graduated a lot of height but is quick on offense and defense, according to Bickett. She thinks the team can surprise.
“The girls are not afraid to run down balls,” she said. “They will do anything to keep the ball from hitting the floor. The team may lack size overall, however we react and jump really well.”
Sterling
Coach: Dale Dykeman (16th season)
2025 record: 19-16, 5-9 Big 6 (5th)
Top returners: Nia Harris, sr., OH; Kasey Weeks, sr., MH; Megan Stutzke, sr., MH; Sydney Giffin, sr., OH; Grace Springman, jr., DS/L
Key varsity newcomer: Kendall Barajas, jr., OH;
Worth noting: The Golden Warriors have a good amount of returning experience, including five starters and two players committed to play at the next level. Weeks is a Heartland College commit and Harris is a Roosevelt University commit.
“One of our major focuses for the season will be consistency,” Dykeman said. “Being able to play with tempo and aggressiveness when we can, while at the same time not making too many unforced errors.”
West Carroll
Coach: Dita Wilcox (2nd season)
2025 record: 9-23, 3-9 NUIC
Top returners: Claire Handel, so., OH; Courtney Knop, jr., OH; Avery Mangler, sr., MH; Laikyn Lawerence, sr., RS/MH; Maddie Reifsteck, sr., DS
Key varsity newcomers: Giuliana Wilcox, so., S; Asia LaShelle, jr., MH; RS; Breanna Edwards, jr., MH/RS
Worth noting: Coach Wilcox says the team has a strong core returning with increased experience and confidence. The program is building momentum after improved off-season participation. She says team goals include competing in the top half of the conference and having a more aggressive tempo on offense.
“I’m excited about the direction of the program and the work ethic of this group,” she added.
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