Two Illinois players are among the 36 nominees for National Junior of the Year, which will be announced no later than January 30 by Prepvolleyball.com.
Ellen Chapman, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter from Glenbrook South, was a dominant player for the Titans in 2009 and a key reason they made it to the state final four for only the second time in history. Chapman finished with 463 kills and was a top digger as well. The Wisconsin recruit is a top 50 national recruit in her class.
Six-foot outside hitter Kelly Lamberti from Cary-Grove, who led the Trojans to an upset over Lyons in the Class 4A title match, was named the Area Player of the Year by the Northwest Herald and first team all-state by the Champaign News-Gazette. Lamberti shattered school records for kills in a season (402) and a career as well as season aces (99).
Six-foot setter/outside hitter Alexis Viliunas of Lyons is among the nominees for National Sophomore of the Year. Viliunas, who was named second team all-area by the Sun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette, led Lyons to a 37-5 record and second place in the Illinois 4A tournament with 210 kills and 543 assists.
Among the 26 nominees for National Freshman of the Year is Erienne Barry, a 5-10 setter from St. Charles East. Barry took the Saints within one win of the state final four while amassing 674 assists and 102 digs for the Saints. She was named first team all-area by the Kane County Chronicle.
Also nominated for National Freshman of the Year was Katie Roustio, a 6-1 outside hitter from O’Fallon. Roustio was a big factor in O’Fallon’s 29-9 mark and run to the sectional finals. A three-sport standout, Roustio amassed 310 kills and 318 blocks, both second on her team, while adding 59 total blocks and 29 aces.
