Twenty-one Illinois athletes were among the 337 sophomores recognized by PrepVolleyball.com for their accomplishments during the 2007 high school season.

The “Soph 79," the best of the crop, included Bartlett’s 5-foot-10 outside hitter Carly Sahagian and Hampshire’s 5-9 setter Kara Wehrs. Sahagian had 250 kills, 64 aces and 40 blocks, while Wehrs and her sister Amy, a highest honorable mention selection, led the Whip-purs to the Class 2A title game.

Joining Amy Wehrs on the highest honorable mention list were Plainfield North’s Kyle Baker, Burlington Central’s Stephanie Holthus and St. Francis’ Kelsey Robinson. Baker teamed with Amber Deweerdt to lead Plainfield North to 29 wins while Robinson had a team-high 298 kills for the Class 3A runner-up.

The Elite Honorable Mention list included 5-11 outside hitter Maggie Strus of Stagg, while Mother McAuley’s Jessica Faulk and Hersey’s Katie Lill were named to the High Honorable Mention roll.

Benet Academy’s Gina Finke and Brianne Riley, Joliet Catholic’s outstanding young outside hitter Annemarie Hickey, Sandburg’s Mary Kate Imrie and Deerfield’s 6-1 middle Taylor Stanfel were Honorable Mention selections, while McAuley’s Jessica Galotta was a Special Mention choice.

Other Illinois players among the top 337 sophomores in the nation are Belleville Althoff’s Carly Thomas, Normal’s Jackie Gerig, Bloomington’s Lauren Seyller, Waterloo’s Madison Dodd, Freeburg’s Samantha Kassing and Maggie Fitzgerald of (Champaign) St. Thomas More.