As predicted here and elsewhere late last summer, Lanark Eastland (1A), Freeburg (2A) and Joliet Catholic (3A) won state titles last weekend at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena. For all three teams, it was their second consecutive state title.

The only "surprise" was Cary-Grove, which rolled through favored Lyons in the Class 4A final.

Now it's time to peer in the crystal ball and look ahead to the 2010 season. Here's a look at some of the teams that should be among the best Chicagoland has to offer:

Lyons - Likely to be ranked No. 1 in Chicago and the state next year, the Lions bring back 6-0 sophomore Alexis Viliunas, 6-2 junior Jocelyn Birks,.sophomore defensive whiz Megan Miller and 5-10 sophomore Laura Williams. However, the Lions will need help in the middle.

York - Lauren Zerante will be missed, but junior setter Emily Iverson and sophomores Katie Gallagher, Caroline Rose and Morgan Semmelhack should ease the sting a little.

Marist - One day, Marist will beat Mother McAuley in the sectional. Perhaps next year? The Redhawks welcome back 5-10 junior Courtney Collins, libero Caroline Niedospial, 6-1 junior Katie Krasowski, setter Ashley Holder, 6-4 sophomore Lauren Zielinski and defensive specialist Molly Murphy.

Lemont - The Indians will probably find themselves in the same sectional with St. Francis and Joliet Catholic next year, but don't be surprised in they get past their private rivals behind 5-10 junior Courtney Keefe, 6-0 junior Danielle Susz, setter Vicki Wrobel and 5-6 sophomore Emily Brown.

Chicago Christian - Junior Madison Kamp boldly predicted a state title after Friday's quarterfinals. The Knights fell short, but with four Kamps - Madison, 5-11 sophomore Maggie, 5-11 junior Stacey and 5-10 junior Emily - in camp next year, they should contend again. Also back will be libero Celaine Haan and 6-foot middle Becky DeRuiter.

Sandburg - Jenny Buczek and Amanda Kijewski will give Sandburg an opportunity to win a lot of matches next year.

St. Francis - How do you replace Kelsey Robinson and Kristen Kelsay?

Joliet Catholic - How do you replace Annemarie Hickey, Alyssa Warren and Jen Murphy?

Benet - Juniors Lara Ontko, Ashley Veselik, Alyson Farm and Kaitlyn King and sophomores Meghan Haggerty and Jenna Jendryk should help Benet contend for a state title.

Hinsdale Central - Juniors Natalie Skiba and Jamie Netisingha, sophomore Ally Davis and some really tall JV kids could have the Red Devils back in the top 10 in 2010.

Cary-Grove - Can Colleen Smith make everyone forget Abbey Heredia? Can Kelly Lamberti be any better than she was against Lyons? Can Ashley Rosch keep blocking and can the Trojans keep rocking?

Providence - Six-foot-1 sophomore Nora Mitros can be a superstar, but without help from Elle Burchett, Katie McDonald, Katie Urchell and Alyssa Podwell, will the Celtics go very far?

Naperville Central - Just because.

St. Charles East - The talent will still be there in 2010. But can the Saints find their mojo?

West Chicago - 6-2 junior Emily Paschke and 5-9 sophomore Julia Conard are a good place to start for a team that came oh-so-close to a share of the DuPage Valley Conference title..

And finally, if we learned anything last weekend, nobody will beat Breese Mater Dei next year.

That's the way it should break down this weekend in Normal. Of course, that doesn't mean it will.

Lyons coach Joann Pyritz said Class 4A is too close to call.

"It will be very close," said Pyritz, who has taken four boys team to the state tournament (although the atmosphere at Hoffman Estates High School can hardly be compared to Redbird Arena) since last leading a girls team to state 20 years ago.

"It's obviously going to be a pressure-packed situation," she said. "We just want to make sure the team stays composed."

Lyons certainly has the talent to win the title, starting with 6-foot-2 junior Jocelyn Birks (340 kills), 6-0 sophomore setter Alexis Viliunas and 5-9 senior Maureen Stroka. But the rest of the field is equally gifted.

Quincy defeated very good Moline, Normal and Benet teams to earn its first state berth since 1999, and setter Hannah Kvitle and junior outside Brittany Houghton drew praise from Benet coach Brad Baker after the Blue Devils dispatched the Redwings in the supersectional.

Cary-Grove and Glenbrook South are no slouches, either. Cary-Grove defeated defending Class 4A champion St. Charles East not once but twice, and took down Mother McAuley at the Asics Challenge. Glenbrook South has 6-4 Ellen Chapman and Columbia-bound setter Colleen Brennan.

In the other classes, Joliet Catholic, Freeburg and Lanark Eastland have two big advantages over their rivals - talent and experience. All three are seeking their second consecutive state title.

Only time will tell whether Joliet Catholic won the state title last week in Wheaton or if there is a suitable challenger among Breese Mater Dei, Sycamore and Crystal Lake Central. A lot has been made of Mater Dei, but it lost twice to the same Althoff team Joliet Catholic embarrassed at the Mizuno Cup.

Crystal Lake Central has a budding superstar in 6-1 sophomore Amelia Anderson, but the Tigers also needed three sets to defeat the same Nazareth team that lost to Joliet Catholic 25-20, 25-7 in East Suburban Catholic Conference play.

Chicago Christian coach James Garcia would like spoil the Freeburg celebration plan. The field may be tempted to overlook the Knights because of their 27-10 record, but playing St. Francis, Marist and Lockport should better prepare Chicago Christian than the last time it was in Normal.

"We need to focus on our game plan," Garcia said. "Sometimes the outside pressures and expectations get to some of the girls. It's our job as coaches to remind them to keep doing what they've done all season."

And the season is getting shorter every minute.

The two best Class 3A teams - and likely the two best teams regardless of class - in the state meet Thursday night in Wheaton when No. 1-ranked Joliet Catholic (37-1) squares off against No. 2 St. Francis (35-2).

Two years ago, the teams met in a supersectional at St. Francis. That year, the Spartans took advantage of a hobbled Kelly Murphy to advance to the state tournament where they eventually lost to Crystal Lake Central in the finals.

Last year, Joliet Catholic outlasted St. Francis in the Oswego supersectional, overcoming 20 kills by Kelsey Robinson to win 25-23, 25-27, 25-21. The Angels dominated the field in Bloomington, whipping Burlington Central 25-19, 25-14 in the finals.

This year, Joliet Catholic has not lost to an Illinois team, suffering its only loss to Assumption (Ky.) in the finals of the Asics Challenge at Mother McAuley. St. Francis has not lost since losing to Sandburg in the same tournament.

However, none of that will matter Thursday night.

What will it take for St. Francis to stop Joliet Catholic?

"We have to minimize our errors and not get rattled," St. Francis coach Peg Kopec said. "Everybody is going to get their kills. (Joliet Catholic's Annemarie) Hickey is going to get her kills. Kelsey (St. Francis' Robinson) is going to get her kills.

"Then what are you going to do?"

Well, the winner will keep playing. Probably until 8:00 p.m. next Saturday night when it hoists the Class 3A state championship trophy.

***

Other sectional championship matches of note feature defending Class 4A champion St. Charles East and York at Geneva; Evanston and Glenbrook South at Stevenson; and Mother McAuley and Sandburg at Eisenhower.

York started the season 1-4, but has won 23 of its last 27 including Tuesday's win over ninth-ranked Geneva. Mother McAuley was barely over .500 midway through the season, but has since won 16 of its last 17.

In Class 3A, St. Viator and 2007 state champion Crystal Lake Central collide at Vernon Hills while 2008 semifinalist Payton tries to keep its Bloomington dreams alive when it faces Nazareth in LaGrange Park.

Last weekend, Lockport, seeded seventh in the Lockport Class 4A sectional, defeated No. 3-ranked Lyons in the finals of the Lyons quad. Thursday, the Porters were knocked out of the state tournament with a 25-19, 25-21 loss to 10th-seeded Plainfield North.

Kylee Baker had 13 kills and Sarah Scott added seven in the Tigers' victory, their eighth straight.

"A few weeks ago we changed our offense, we changed our defense and there was a re-commitment by me and a re-commitment by the players," Plainfield North coach Kerri McCastland said. "They bought into it. We're better than we were yesterday."

Lockport had a brief early lead in Game 2, but could never sustain a consistent attack. Baker, Scott and 6-2 junior middle Kaisley Fisher, a Purdue recruit, kept the Porters on their heels most of the night.

However, the loss is more a testimonial to the depth of the Lockport sectional than a knock on the Porters, who got only limited play from star all-round player Dana Raber (felled by a high ankle sprain a few weeks ago).

That Plainfield North, 22-8 after the win, is a 10th seed speaks volumes to the inequity of the IHSA tournament, which is slanted toward "geographic representation" and makes regional losers out of teams that might be sectional champions somewhere else.

It's difficult to "sport a winning attitude" when fairness is tossed aside like a wet rag.

***

Lockport wasn't the only higher seed to go down Thursday. Among the more notable teams to fall victim to an upset were Bloom, a 25-23, 13-25, 25-22 loser to Andrew; Libertyville, a 25-14, 25-18 loser to Carmel; and Prospect, downed by Waukegan 25-10, 25-18.

Thursday also marked the end of Stephanie Holthus' high school career. Holthus, a Northwestern recruit and one of the best outside hitters in the state, and her Burlington Central teammates succumbed to Sycamore 25-13, 17-25, 25-23.

***

Looking for a good regional final Saturday?

How about Stagg and Providence at Lincoln-Way Central at 4:00 p.m.? Or Downers Grove North and Neuqua Valley at Neuqua Valley at 2:00 p.m.? Or Sycamore taking on Hampshire at Burlington Central at 7:00 p.m.? Geneva and Batavia at Addison Trail at 1:00 p.m.?

Or of you don't mind a little drive, how about Belleville Althoff and Breese Mater Dei hooking up at 1:30 p.m. at Centralia? Or you could head west and watch Moline and Quincy at 1:00 p.m. at Moline?

Or how about my personal favorite, Rebecca Gillen and the Monmouth-Roseville Titans taking on Sherrard at (Taylor Ridge) Rockridge Saturday at 1:00 p.m.?

***

Finally, the 2009 volleyball season came to a merciful end for Bridgeport Red Hill in a Class 2A regional semifinal Thursday in Grayville. The Salukis, owners of the longest losing streak in Illinois volleyball history, fell to Clay City 25-5, 25-7.

Red Hill has not won a volleyball match since October 7, 2002. The school's losing streak is somewhere near the century-and-a-half mark (it's hard to find reliable information on such things, but it was 147 in a row after a loss on October 21).

Red Hill is a school of 337 students in southeastern Illinois just across the border from Vincennes, Indiana. You would think they might find a few good volleyball players among the 170 or so girls in the school.

However, the school board, in its wisdom, apparently killed the middle school volleyball program a few years ago, leaving Red Hill's ballers well behind their peers in terms of experience, training and skill level.

If anybody needs a federal bailout, it's those folks.

Lyons coach Joann Pyritz earned her 600th career victory when the Lions defeated New Trier 20-25, 25-22, 25-19 in the quarterfinals of the Maine West Pumpkin Tournament.

Batavia coach Lori Trippi-Payne earned her 400th career win when the Bulldogs defeated Downers Grove South 25-17, 25-19 at Maine West.

If you took the top four coaches at the 24-team Maine West tournament and added their number of wins, you would come up with a staggering 2,700 victories..

Peg Kopec of St. Francis has more than 1,000, Hersey's Nancy Lill eclipsed the 700-mark this season, Pyritz has 600-plus and Trippi-Payne now has more than 400.

"If you hang around long enough, you're going to win a few matches," Pyritz said.

***

Lyons added to that coaching mark by defeating Hinsdale Central 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 on Tuesday in LaGrange. But if a team ever deserved a win based purely on hustle points, it was Hinsdale Central.

At least twice in the match, the Lyons players started celebrating points only to see the ball come back at them. The first was a save right in front of the Hinsdale Central bench, and the second was a remarkable dig off the floor.

The "up" official, perhaps not believing that anybody could have saved the second ball, blew the point over. But after a short conference with the "down" official, the point was replayed.

Hinsdale Central lost after squandering leads of 20-16 in Game 2 and 19-15 in Game 3, but the two teams could meet again in a Class 4A semifinal in Bloomington. That is, if Lyons can get past McAuley.

***

Just wondering, Part I: Hampshire vs. Burlington Central in a regional final? Whose brilliant idea was that?

***

Just wondering, Part II: Joliet Catholic vs. St. Francis in a sectional final? Whose brilliant idea was that?

***

Just wondering, Part III: After a Public League team had never reached the state semifinal in volleyball, could three-time defending city champion Payton make it back-to-back trips to Bloomington?

The Grizzlies would have to get past Nazareth, Riverside-Brookfield and Trinity in the sectional and most likely Crystal Lake Central in the supersectional. By the way, Crystal Lake Central coach Doug Blundy? More than 740 wins.

***

Just wondering, Part IV: Mother McAuley, what took you so long?

***

Joliet Catholic was ranked No. 9 in the country in last week's Prepvolleyball.com rankings. Other Illinois teams in the top 100 were No. 28 Lyons, No. 49 St. Francis, No. 52 Benet, No. 73 Moline, No. 75 St. Charles East, No. 78 Hinsdale Central and No. 99 Glenbrook South.

There should be a major shuffling among several of the Illinois teams after Lyons, Benet, Moline and Hinsdale Central all suffered losses.

Payton coach Joel Anderson peered into his crystal ball a couple of weeks ago and predicted that 5-foot-11 junior outside hitter Tyler Jones would be named the Player of the Year by Chicago Public League coaches.

Thursday, those coaches made Anderson look like Nostradamus.

Taylor, who led Jones College Prep team to the city semifinals and a 23-6 record, edged Whitney Young's Gillian Asque and Payton's Mari Faines to earn Player of the Year honors.

"Jones is the diamond in the rough that no one outside the city seems to know," Anderson said. "I haven't seen anyone as dominant as her. No one even close. That's why they have blown through their conference.

"The team is still lower level, but she definitely isn't," Anderson added. "She had 16 kills against us (in a regular-season match) and we put (6-foot-2 middle) Faines on her. She's fun to watch."

The rest of the First Team All-City included senior Gillian Asque of Whitney Young; junior Nora Banaszek of Payton; junior Mari Faines of Payton; junior Amanda Hedberg of Young; and sophomore Jenna Jacobson of Young.

Also, senior Megan Knapp of Lane Tech; sophomore Madisen Lenzini of Young; senior Courtney Olsen of Young; sophomore Michelle Schultz of Payton; senior Terri Taylor of Von Steuben; and senior Briana Vinson of Simeon.

Named to the Second Team All-City were: junior Christine Alvarado of Northside College Prep; senior Samantha Arce of Kelvyn Park; senior Hope Castillo of Brooks; junior Chelsea Cunningham of Young; junior Anna Fedele of Jones; and senior Heather Ksiazek of Lane Tech.

Also, sophomore Kathleen Kurtenback of Jones; junior Allie Mason of Payton; senior Renee Psenka of Northside College Prep; junior Maricella Rodriguez of Jones; senior Sandy Tran of Taft; and freshman Melina Villaber of Taft.

***

Louisville grabbed one of the biggest steals of the year when it lured Prairie Ridge setter/outside hitter Taylor Brauneis. The 5-foot-11 senior has led the Wolves to a 19-9 record by amassing 169 kills, 37 aces, 165 assists, 58 blocks and 103 digs.

"Taylor has become a great leader by encouraging her teammates and spending extra time at practice to work on different parts of her game," said Prairie Ridge coach Stefanie Otto.

Brauneis stayed after a home match to work on her serving after missing several serves. A few days later, she served 11 consecutive points as Prairie Ridge rallied from a 20-13 deficit in a Mizuno Cup pool match against Plainfield South.

"She has self-control in all circumstances and very enjoyable to coach," Otto said. "She has all around talent in being a great hitter and setter."

***

Two Illinois products have helped Florida ascend to No. 6 in the national rankings. Former Joliet Catholic standout and Gatorade Player of the Year Kelly Murphy and 6-2 outside hitter Colleen Ward of Naperville North are driving the Gators to the top of the Southeastern Conference East Division standings.

Murphy recently turned in her nation-leading fourth triple-double with 12 kills, 25 assists and 17 digs in a victory over South Carolina. The 6-2 sophomore also ranks seventh in the league in assists per set (6.28) and ninth in hitting percentage (.325).

Ward ranks fifth in the SEC with 3.45 kills per set. She has recorded double-figure kills in 12 of 14 matches, including a match-high 18 kills in the victory over South Carolina.
Florida is 12-3 and 6-2 in the SEC after a three-set loss to LSU on October 11.

***
Neuqua Valley (21-8) suffered a major blow to its state tournament hopes when senior setter Sam Skryd tore a ligament in her left knee during the team's second match at the Mizuno Cup tournament.

Skryd jump-served an ace with her team leading 24-23 in the first game of its pool match with Oak Forest.

"Nobody saw it happen," Neuqua Valley coach Kelly Simon said. "Everybody was looking at the ace and then started celebrating on the floor."

Senior Beth Blackman stepped in for Skryd as the Wildcats finished the tournament 3-2, defeating Bloomington in the Gold Division consolation semifinals before losing to Geneva 22-25, 25-15, 25-15 for fifth place.

"Beth has set in club," Simon said. "It will just take some time to adjust to her. Sam runs a much faster offense."

***

After starting the season 2-5 with losses to Lyons, Benet, Sandburg, Glenbrook South and Hinsdale Central, York is now 21-8 and seeded third in its sectional behind St. Charles East and Geneva.

The Dukes are 7-1 in their last eight matches, losing to Benet 25-20, 22-25, 25-19 in the finals of the Redwings' tournament October 10 after knocking off Hinsdale Central 25-21, 25-14 in the semifinals.

Outside hitter Lauren Zerante is one of only three seniors on the roster. Sophomore middle hitter Morgan Semmelhack and sophomore outside hitter Caroline Rose both started as freshmen for coach Patty Iverson.

***

Congratulations to Hersey coach Nancy Lill, who registered her 700th career victory on September 29 when the Huskies defeated Buffalo Grove 25-15, 25-15. Lill joined seven other Illinois coaches with 700 victories.

Lill has also won 13 Mid-Suburban League division titles, five conference crowns, six supersectional titles and has led teams to a second, third and fourth-place finish at state. Katie Lill, Nancy's daughter, is the Huskies' leading attacker this fall.

Hersey (23-1) will get its first major test of the season at the Maine West Pumpkin Tournament this weekend. The Huskies are seeded fifth in a field that includes Lyons (25-1), Sandburg (25-4), St. Francis (26-2) and Evanston (24-4).

***

Joliet Catholic (26-1) will put its No. 1 ranking on the line this weekend at Glenbard East against Benet (24-2), St. Charles East (22-4), Crystal Lake South (21-4) and Lemont (21-6). Last year, Joliet Catholic handed Benet its only regular-season loss at this tournament.

***

Lyons' 6-2 junior outside hitter Jocelyn Birks recently verbally committed to play volleyball at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2011. Plainfield North's 6-2 junior Kaisley Fisher has verbally committed to Purdue.

Class 4A

At Geneva: Top-seeded St. Charles East flashed its 2008 championship form over the weekend at Mizuno, and should the Saints get past Bartlett in one semifinal, they would face either Geneva or York in the finals. Geneva lost to York last year in the sectional semifinals and have been pointing to the rematch all season. York upset Hinsdale Central at Benet last weekend, but Geneva showed its resiliency by overcome Game 1 losses to Lockport and Neuqua Valley to finish fifth at the Mizuno Cup.

At Huntley: Cary-Grove, which is getting great play from junior outside Kelly Lamberti and setter Abby Heredia, and Crystal Lake South led by Caitlin Schumacher, should meet in the finals. The wildcard is Rockton Hononegah. Elgin is the top seed at the Larkin regional.

At Evanston: Glenbrook South and Evanston should have no trouble advancing to the finals in a field from field that features 10 Chicago Public Schools. Ellen Chapman vs. Ali Gossen. Clash of the Titans? When was the last time New Trier wasn't mentioneed as a potential state threat from the North Shore? .

At Stevenson: Katie Lill and Hersey should advance from a foursome that includes Lake Forest, Lake Zurich and Libertyville. A lot of "L's" in this field.

At Lockport: The traditionally-strong west suburban field moves south down I-355. Benet and Hinsdale Central, which have met twice already this season, should play the rubber match in the finals if Downers Grove North and Naperville North don't get in the way.

At Eisenhower: Mother McAuley has made this field its personal playground through the years, but Sandburg looks to be the team to beat in 2009. Marist and McAuley would meet in the other semifinal with neighborhood bragging rights at stake.

At St. Ignatius: Lyons gets the free pass to the supersectional from a field that includes nine Chicago Public League schools.

Class 3A

At Rochelle: Marian Central should get past Freeport and Hampshire should have little trouble with Geneseo to earn a date in the finals on November 5. Metamora, the top team in the Peoria area, and Bloomington, which placed a solid seventh at the Mizuno Cup behind Lauren Seyller, loom as potential supersectional opponents.

At Crete: Oak Forest, with Natalie Fiore towering over her teammates at 5-foot-11, are heavily favored against Rich Central, Illiana Christian and Evergreen Park. Oak Forest took a few lumps at Mizuno, losing to Rockford Guilford 26-24, 26-24 and Naperville Central in three games, but bounced back to beat Wheaton Warrenville South in straight sets to finish 15th.

At St. Francis: Can anyone stop Joliet Catholic? Kelsey Robinson and St. Francis will try, but it would take a superhuman effort to deny the Angels their second consecutive Class 3A title. Rosary and Lemont should have little trouble in their respective regionals but are heavy underdogs in the sectional semifinals. History? Last year, the Angels needed three games to beat the Spartans at the Oswego supersectional as Robinson put down 20 kills. In 2007, St. Francis won after Kelly Murphy was hobbled by an ankle injury.

At Nazareth: Defending sectional champion (Chicago) Payton has been plagued by injuries, but if healthy, don't be surprised to see Mari Faines and company punch another ticket to the supersectional. Nazareth has super setter Jill Paluch, but will it be enough?

At Vernon Hills: You have to like Crystal Lake Central and the Anderson non-twins, but Prairie Ridge, which falls from Class 4A, could be a factor. St. Viator is having a banner season and should meet Prairie Ridge in a semifinal.

Host Neuqua Valley and Hinsdale South are teaming up at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7 for a fundraiser, "Christine's Battle - Coming Together for Chris" to help defray the cost of a bone marrow transplant for Christine Federico.

Christine (Rehor) Federico was an outstanding volleyball player at Illinois State University during the early 1980s and is a member of the ISU Athletic Hall of Fame. She served as a volunteer coach at Neuqua and also coached at Sports Performance. Her daughter, Nikki, is a senior on the Neuqua Valley volleyball team.

Christine Federico has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare disease that affects 10,000-15,000 Americans each year and acts as an early stage of leukemia. There is no cure for the disease, but her friends and family are hoping that a bone marrow transplant will put the disease in remission.

Her present course of treatment consists of blood transfusions and chemotherapy, but a bone marrow transplant will give her the best chance for survival.

Neuqua Valley will be selling T-shirts and wristbands at the event as well as taking straight monetary donations to contribute to the Christine Federico MDS Fund. At the match, anyone who donates $5 or more will receive a signed Christine Federico mini volleyball. There will also be a raffle and a "split-the-pot."

People who cannot attend the event October 7 can go to the Great Lakes Volleyball Center from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11 for another fundraiser, the "Christine Federico Bean Bag Tournament."

The Great Lakes Center is located at 579 N. Oakhurst Drive in Aurora, just off New York Street. The entry fee is $50.00 per team (teams of 2) and the tournament will be a blind draw.

There will also be music, food and prizes, and a dunk tank featuring Sports Performance club coaches.

People who cannot make either event but would like to help can purchase personalized
livestrong bracelets by sending $5 to Robyn Horn, 547 Carriage Ridge Lane, Lemont, IL 60439. Specify size (man, woman, child) and quantity.

Whether you are a friend, a fan and somebody who just wants to lend a hand to somebody who has given so much to the volleyball community, your help is greatly needed.

For more information on how you can help, call Kelly Simon, Neuqua Valley head volleyball coach, at (630) 854-6356.

The columnist talked about how incidents like those involving Kanye West and Joe Wilson were symptomatic of society's increasing self-centeredness. Putting "me" above "we." "Self-importance" above "self-sacrifice."

This sense of entitlement pervades sports as well. Why else do some people feel the need to reward every student-athlete with a medal, a trophy, a "false" sense of achievement when in fact they have achieved nothing beyond what they are given.

How does this apply to high school volleyball in Illinois?

It has everything to do with the way the Illinois High School Association does business. It's disregard for competitiveness to the benefit of entitlement.

Not enough kids win trophies? Expand classes. Sponsor a state tournament where the best teams survive? Phooey. Create a system where kids who work hard to develop their skills are rewarded? Only if they are geographically correct.

Last week, the regional and sectional assignments for the Illinois High School Association girls state volleyball tournament were posted. As is the case with many other sports, if you're good and you know it, you probably won't get to show it.

Two of the most grievous injustices were committed in Class 3A where the two best downstate Illinois programs, Belleville Althoff and Breese Mater Dei, were assigned to the same five-team regional at Centralia, and the two best 3A programs anywhere, Joliet Catholic and St. Francis, were assigned to the same sectional in Wheaton.

Last year, Althoff and Mater Dei did not meet until the sectional - Mater Dei won 25-18, 23-25, 25-17 - and St. Francis and Joliet Catholic did not meet until the supersectional - JCA won 25-23, 25-27, 25-21.

But somebody felt that other players were "entitled" to regional or sectional titles.

There are other injustices. The Class 4A sectionals featuring Marist, McAuley and Sandburg on the one hand and Hinsdale Central, Benet, Neuqua Valley, Locport and Naperville North on the other come to mind. But there are examples in the smaller classes as well.

Folks in the deep south are angered at the Class 2A Carlyle regional which features defending state champion Freeburg in a five-team field with Breese Central, Carlyle, Nashville and Trenton Wesclin.

The state volleyball tournament is a system which guarantees not that the best teams or the best players are showcased, but that the teams whose addresses fit the IHSA bill are rewarded.

In other words, the IHSA embraces "geographic entitlement."

The IHSA's Sue Hinrichsen, who supervises boys and girls volleyball and has resisted efforts to move the boys finals to a college site like St. Xavier, is retiring at the end of the school year. It may be time for coaches and athletic directors statewide to lobby her successor to address some of the issues hurting the sport, its players and fans.

Of course, it all begins with not the players, coaches, parents or athletic directors, it is up to the folks who really run high school sports in Illinois - the principals. And if you look at their voting records on IHSA referendums, they apparently care about as much about the issues that affect student-athletes as vultures do about where their next meal is coming from.

Someday, the IHSA will get it right. Meanwhile, the rest of us are only "entitled" to our opinions.

Mother McAuley's 26-24, 25-17 loss to St. Francis on September 17 left the Macs at 3-3 with a three consecutive losses to Sandburg, Marist and the Spartans. A short two seasons ago, the Macs started the season 2-3 with losses to Downers Grove South, Sandburg and Marist.

That year, Mother McAuley, led by Melissa Joyce and juniors Kelly Griffin and Catherine Wildner, bounced back to win 32 of its next 36 matches, advancing to the state championship game before falling to Naperville Central.

McAuley coach Jen DeJarld believes this team can achieve similar success.

"I'm really proud of the way the girls played against a high caliber team," she said after the loss to St. Francis. "They have some college-level hitters. We have some youth and inexperience."

Seniors Paulna Sambor and Jessica Galotta are McAley's only players with significant experience.

"But I'm really excited about where we're at right now," DeJarld said."I'm in a comfort zone with this group. We'll just build and grow from here."

DeJarld has reason to be excited about her young players. Sophomore setter Ryan Arundel had eight assists, four kills, a block and an ace against St. Francis. Junior Mary Kate Styler had a team-high five kills.

Junior middle Maddie McElroy played well off the bench. Junior setter Kailey Scott had three assists when McAuley went to a 6-2. And senior outside Jessica Falk is coming off a season where she spent most of the year on the bench because of injury.

"We flip in and out between a 6-2 and a 5-1," DeJarld said. "But we try not to do too many sophisticated things because we're young."

Here are the Chicago-area players who cracked the list between Nos. 30 and 100 (with comments by Prepvolleyball.com editor John Tawa):

95. Emani Sims, 5-foot-11 middle blocker, Glenbrook South (University of Miami)

Insanely athletic, Sims may not have prototypical size for a middle, but she more than makes up for it with a 10-foot-4 leap and blazing lateral speed. Because she contacts the ball from a point higher than most, she can do whatever she wants to as an attacker. Her quickness side to side is so extreme that she can move one direction and still close a block in the other. This combination should help Sims, who has committed to Miami, develop into a middle who is feared on both sides of the ball.

94. Annemarie Hickey, 5-foot-8 libero/outside hitter, Joliet Catholic (University of Wisconsin)

A favorite of college coaches, Hickey just knows how to play the game. Her best attribute is her competitive attitude and feisty "down and dirty" style of play. When you watch Hickey, you know she will do anything to win and it rubs off on those around her. Blessed with a hammer for an arm and the innate ability to score, Hickey impacts a game like someone six inches taller than she. Standing 5-8, that arm might not get much use out of the back row at Wisconsin, but Hickey will still impact the game on defense. She has a pure passing platform and plays all-out effort defense. Her feel for the game, her knowledge of the game, and her athleticism are excellent now and will only continue to improve.

44. Kara Wehrs, 5-foot-9 setter, Hampshire (University of Kansas)

Don't let her size fool you. Wehrs is a dynamic athlete who plays every phase at the highest level. As an attacker, she is explosive off the floor with a quick arm swing that is difficult to defend. At the net, she has developed into a dominant blocker who plays much bigger than her 5-9 frame would suggest. She plays like a libero defensively with the quickness and the athletic ability to pick up any ball. Wehrs' biggest upside, however, is as a setter, which is why she was recruited to Kansas. Having run a 6-2 for the majority of her young playing career, Wehrs has a tremendous ceiling that could allow her to develop into one of the most dynamic setters in the class. The Jayhawks will be counting on it when Wehrs and her twin sister, Amy, arrive in Lawrence in the fall.

32. Carly Sahagian, 6-foot outside hitter, Bartlett (University of Tennessee)

A very versatile athlete who can play both the left and right side, Sahagian has few weaknesses. She possesses excellent passing skills along with a very consistent jump serve and has developed into a much more physical player over the past year. Her best attributes may be intangibles in her game. Sahagian is nothing if not consistent, both in her play and court demeanor. Her ability to impact the game wit h her passing, attacking, serving will allow her to compete early for playing time at Tennessee, where she has committed.

31. Stephanie Holthus, 5-foot-11 outside hitter/libero, Burlington Central (Northwestern)

It wasn't too long ago that many coaches wondered if Holthus could play on the outside in the Big Ten. Was she big enough? Was she physical enough? Wonder no more. The only thing Northwestern and head coach Keylor Chan are left to ponder is how soon she can arrive on campus. After a stellar junior season (525 kills, 294 digs and 75 aces) in which Holthus led Burlington Central to the IHSA state finals, this fiery competitor has answered the questions in resounding fashion. While her skill set internationally might be best suited as a libero, she will make an impact immediately at Northwestern as an outside. Holthus is a six-rotation player with the ball control and defense of a prototypical L2 and the high-flying scoring ability of an L1. Throw in a wicked jump serve and outstanding blocking ability and Holthus has the complete package.

This year, faced with a much more challenging schedule which includes home-and-home series with St. Francis, Rosary and Marian Central Catholic and an appearance at the Rich East tournament where Mother McAuley, Lyons and Lemont lie in wait, Chicago Christian could have a hard time matching its win total of two years ago.

But a return visit to Bloomington is not out of the question.

The Knights (7-1) gave St. Francis all it could handle Wednesday in Palos Heights before losing 25-19, 25-22. Chicago Christian led 16-11 in game 2, forcing a St. Francis timeout, before the Spartans rallied to hand coach Peg Kopec her 1,000th win at the Wheaton school.

Kopec was certainly impressed by her school's new conference foe.

"I thought Chicago Christian did very well," she said. "They are a very strong team."

Two Knights are back from that 2007 team that reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history, 6-1 junior setter Madison Kamp and 6-1 senior outside Kirsten Harms, and there's plenty of talent surrounding the two holdovers.

Five-foot-11 junior Stacey Kamp shared team honors with Harms with six kills against St. Francis. Five-foot-11 senior Lauren Madden and 6-0 senior middle Carron VanGroningen also contributed against St. Francis.

With 10 players 5-11 or taller, height will never be in short supply at Chicago Christian. Libero Celaine Haan is only a sophomore, but she held her own against the strong serving of St. Francis.

"We heard a lot about St. Francis, and I couldn't be more proud of the way the girls played," Chicago Christian coach James Garcia said.

"Our depth is our strength," said Benet coach Brad Baker, who watched his team defeat visiting York 25-19, 25-20 Wednesday behind 6-foot-2 sophomore middle Meghan Haggerty (seven kills, two blocks), senior Gina Finke (six kills) and junior Lara Ontko (six kills).

"They know that if they struggle, there is someone else ready to go," he said.

Baker ran nine players in and out of Wednesday's match. There were times you could not tell who was coming or going. There were also times (no thanks to Benet's dark uniforms and darker numbers) it was difficult to tell who was setting and who was hitting.

But that confusion is part of Baker's plan.

"We don't want our opponents to know where the ball is going," he said. "Last year, it was going to go to Ari (Mankus), Natalie (Patzin) or Jess (Jendryk). This year, our goal is for our opponents not to know where the ball is going to be set."

Eight different players registered kills for Benet (2-0) against York. At least three were credited with an assist. Junior Ashley Veselik led the way with 16 assists and senior libero Brianne Riley, who recently committed to Kansas, had eight digs. Ontko, who had six kills, was rarely mentioned by Baker before the season.

"You can only talk about so many kids," he said. "Nobody would believe you if you said you had six kids who can pound the ball until you see it for yourself."

Benet will be on display again this weekend at Willowbrook when the Redwings face Hinsdale Central and Wheaton Warrenville South.

Meanwhile, the road doesn't get any easier for York. On the heels of back-to-back losses to Glenbrook South and Benet, the Dukes continue their "Top 10 Tour" Friday at Lyons where they will play the host Lions, Sandburg and Lake Forest.

"We won't know what to do with ourselves after this weekend," said York coach Patty Iverson, alluding to a schedule that can't get any more difficult.

Iverson said that part of her team's struggles Wednesday can be attributed to doubt that invariably creeps into the mind of a young hitter when the opponent turns up the pressure.

"Instead of hitting the ball, they were just making shots," she said. "They started doubting themselves."

Wednesday's match was not without its bright spots, however.

Five-foot-6 sophomore Caroline Rose dominated a stretch of the first set to give the Dukes a 9-4 lead, and York trimmed a 18-13 deficit to 20-18 in the second set. Sophomore Morgan Semmelhack and junior Claire Grabinski also were bigger factors in the second set.

"We did some good things," Iverson said. "There were times we had four sophomores on the floor at the same time. We're still playing with our lineup. We'll get there."

"Yeah, it's scary," said Baarstad, who had 10 kills Tuesday to lead the Trojans (2-0) to a 25-22, 27-25 victory over visiting Naperville Central. "But we work really well together on the court. If we continue to do the things were supposed to do, the sky's the limit."

Four of Downers North's top eight players are either sophomores or juniors including junior middle hitters Alexa Loufman (four kills) and Gina Gammonley and sophomore outsides Jessie Tulacka (five kills, two blocks, ace) and Taylor Kasal.

The only seniors other than the 6-foot Baarstad to play extensively Tuesday were defensive specialist Maureen Eggert, libero Robyn Eggert and setter Sam Marek.

"We were young last year," said Downers Grove North coach Mark Wasik. "We're young again this year. But we're also a year older."

Tulacka lived up to her billing as one of the best sophomores in the state with her performance against Naperville Central. This came on the heels of her effort Monday against Marian Catholic when Wasik called her "the best player on the court."

"Jessie's very good," Baarstad said. "She's got a lot of potential. She's actually a setter, but having her play outside really helps. She's unbelievable."

Still, it was Baarstad who rallied the Trojans from a 23-19 deficit in the second set against Central with a pair of kills down the line that forced a tie at 24-all.

Meanwhile, Naperville Central coach Brie Isaacson learned a lot about her young team, which returns only one starter (middle hitter Nicole Sarby) from last year's 33-5 sectional runner-up.

"We played so many balls that were out," Isaacson said. "We made it a lot harder on ourselves. Not playing yesterday hurt. We struggled working out the kinks that you usually work out in your first match.

"But we played some good defense," she added. "All of our pin hitters are juniors. Only Chloe (Lupina) was on varsity last year and she did not play a lot. We have a week off now. We'll go back in the gym. We need a little more time to work it out."

Central's future may be in its freshman class, led by opposite Alysia Baznik, who is up on varsity but did not play Tuesday. Five freshman are up on Central's junior varsity team.

Another player to watch for the Redhawks is 6-foot-2 sophomore middle Emma Donahue, who gave Central a lift defensively in the second set.

Prepvolleyball.com editor John Tawa differed with the Chicago Sun-Times rankings, flip-flopping Joliet Catholic and St. Charles East. The two schools could settle the issue on the court when they meet October 17 at Glenbard East's Autumnfest.

Here is what Tawa had to say about the five Illinois schools (preceded by national ranking):

8. Joliet Catholic
Last year's record: 39-3; 2008 final ranking: 13

The Angels, a surprise winner of the Illinois 3A title in 2008, should repeat in 2009 behind a lineup that returns virtually intact. Leading the way is 5-8 senior OH Annemarie Hickey, whom the Chicago Sun-Times' Phil Brozynski calls "inch-for-inch and pound-for-pound the toughest player in the state." Also back for JCA are 5-9 senior outside Alyssa Warren, 6-0 senior middle Claire Randich and 6-1 junior middle Lainey Wyman. Senior Jennifer Murphy, sister of budding Florida Gator star Kelly Murphy, will get the call at setter while Stephanie Keca returns at libero.

19. St. Charles East
Last year's record: 38-4; 2008 final ranking: 14

The defending Illinois 4A champs graduated two big-time contributors, setter Laura Homann and middle Haley Streich, but should be formidable again in 2009 behind senior setter/hitter Jacqui Seidel, a Ball State recruit, and the talented Niski sisters, Caroline and Meghan, who are as good in the back row as they are on attack. Feisty libero Maisey Mulvey returns to anchor what should be a very strong passing team, while 6-2 Olivia Desormey and 5-10 Samantha Szarmach add to the firepower for coach Jennie Kull.

29. St. Francis
Last year's record: 38-4; 2008 final ranking: 38

If outside hitters Kelsey Robinson and Meg Vonderhaar stay healthy, the Spartans will win a lot of matches in 2009 simply by hoisting the ball to the pin and letting their 6-1 smackers bang away. Senior setter Kristen Kelsay, she of the wonderful hands and SPVB 18 Elite pedigree, will be doing the hoisting this fall. Vonderhaar currently is nursing a severe ankle sprain that may slow her early in the season, which may be a blessing for coach Peg Kopec, who is nearing 1,000 career wins, because it will give the venerable coach a chance to develop some promising younger players. One such player is sophomore middle Daiva Wise, who is a nice blocker and has emerged as the surprise of training camp. Cassie Rio, Gabrielle Zito, Gina Madonia and Katie Parisi are four more Spartans who should contribute to the cause in '09.

62. Mother McAuley
Last year's record: 39-3; 2008 final ranking: 17

"Rebuilding" is not part of the vernacular at Mother McAuley. But the Mighty Macs have some work to do after losing Chicago Sun-Times player of the Year Desiree Aramburu, Kelly Griffin, Catherine Wildner, Sue Hayes, Allie Gardner and three others to graduation. Coach Jen DeJarld will rely on four seniors to lead the attack. Two, MB Jess Galotta and OH Jessica Falk, are three-year starters. MB Paulina Sambor and OH Ellen Carberry will start for their second year. DeJarld also expects big things from junior Mary Kate Styler. The biggest question will come at setter, where either junior Kailey Scott or sophomore lefty Ryann Arundel will get the nod.

71. Lyons Township
Last year's record: 28-12; 2008 final ranking: 346

Lyons was a young team just starting to find itself in 2008. This year, watch the Lions roar. Eight key contributors return for coach Joann Pyritz, including sophomore setter Alexis Viliunas and OH Laura Williams, two key cogs in the Lions 15-1 team that was ranked first nationally for much of the club season. Senior middles Katie Bazzoni and Tiffany Vasquez should give Lyons an advantage at the net over most teams in Illinois, while on the right, junior Erin Juley, who also is a capable setter, has already accepted a Division I scholarship offer to Long Beach State. With Jamie Lundstrom returning to anchor the back row and Maureen Stroka, Jocelyn Birks, Megan Miller, Julia Karas and Ashley Bleck also back, look for Lyons to easily eclipse 30 wins in 2009 and make a run at the Illinois 4A title.
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