Class of 2012 boasts boatload of ability

Six Illinois sophomores have been named to the Prepvolleyball.com list of Top 79 Sophomores who played varsity for their high schools last season.

The Illinois sophomores are Crystal Lake Central’s Amelia Anderson, Hinsdale Central’s Ally Davis, Sam Epenesa of Edwardsville, Lake Zurich’s Amanda Orchard, Brooke Schulte of Breese Mater Dei and Alexis Viliunas of Lyons.

Anderson, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, helped to lead Crystal Lake Central to the Class 3A final four with 328 kills. Davis, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, had 230 kills and 113 blocks, both team highs, for one of the Chicago area’s best teams.

Orchard contributed 240 kills, 149 blocks and 201 digs for Lake Zurich, which reached the Class 4A Elite Eight in 2009. Six-foot- setter/outside hitter took Lyons all the way to the state championship game with 210 kills and 543 assists.

Named to the highest honorable mention team were Marist setter Ashley Holder, St. Charles East outside hitter Meghan Niski, Mother McAuley libero Bridget Powell and York outside hitter Caroline Rose.

Named elite honorable mention were Huntley libero Amy Dion, Cary-Grove middle blocker Ashley Rosch and Lyons outside hitter Laura Williams.

The high honorable mention list included Marian Central setter Abby Gilliland, Benet middle blocker Meghan Haggerty, Batavia setter Mary Nilles, York middle blocker Morgan Semmelhack, Plainfield Central outside hitter Taryn Trubich and Marist middle Lauren Zielinski.

St, Edward libero Katie Ayello, DeLaSalle rightside Arianna Hayden and St. Charles East libero Maisey Mulvey were named special mention, while 10 Chicago-area sophomores reaped honorable mention honors.

Named honorable mention were Klaudia Basierak (Grayslake Central), Sam Boesch (Huntley), Brittany Brown (Nazareth), Casey Durham (Evanston), Katie Gallagher (York), Jenna Jendryk (Benet), Megan Miller (Lyons), Nora Mitros (Providence), Heidi Sierks (Lake Forest) and Jessica Tulacka (Downers Grove North).

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Marist’s 6-1 senior outside hitter Molly Murphy has committed to attend Indiana State next fall, coach Natalie Holder announced recently. A first-team Chicago Sun-Times all-area selection, Murphy led Marist to the sectional semifinals with more than 230 kills and 220 digs.