New season, new classification for two-time state volleyball runner-up Central Catholic

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) -- New season, new challenges for Central Catholic volleyball.

The Saints finished as state runner-up the last two seasons in class 2A. This year, they move up to class 3A.

"We play a competitive schedule. It will be different going into postseason, because it is new to us," said Central Catholic head coach Jenny Menendez. "When you're in a routine, you know what to expect from different programs and what they are going to do. But there's new venues for us (this year). All of that will be different."

The Saints will look different this year, too. Three-year starts like Josie Certa, Aubrey Fair and Rosie Krenz have graduated. But all-state outside hitter Kampbell Niephagen returns for her senior year.

She thinks her team is ready to make a run at getting to state for third straight year, even as a new team in 3A.

"I think we come into every practice with a grit that some teams don't have," said Niephagen, an Auburn recruit. "We put in s much work every day knowing that we have to be a step closer and step farther than other teams."

Central Catholic was just a couple of points form winning both the 2024 and 2025 state championships. The players say being that close to state titles has made the team hungry to finish the job at state this time around.

"I'd say we are hungry and we are also more comfortable," said senior setter Kendall Fair. "To be put in positions like that where games are hard and we know what it is to keep going."