Girls Volleyball Season Kicks Off: Key Storylines for 2025

URGENT UPDATE: The highly anticipated girls volleyball season begins Monday, bringing excitement and fresh developments across Kendall County. As teams gear up for another thrilling year, here are the top five storylines that fans should watch closely in 2025.

Oswego Volleyball Faces New Chapter
After an unprecedented run, the Oswego Panthers are now entering a rebuilding phase. The program made history over the last two seasons, achieving a record-breaking 32 wins in 2024, winning the first conference championship, and clinching back-to-back regional titles. However, the departure of standout seniors, including two-time Record Newspapers Player of the Year Sidney Hamaker, leaves a significant void. With only two players, Hannah Herrick and Maya Norlin, returning with varsity experience, the question looms: Can the next wave of Panthers maintain the new standard of excellence?

Can Newark Extend Dominance?
The Newark Norsemen are looking to keep their impressive streaks alive, having secured their 15th consecutive Little Ten Conference regular-season title and seventh straight regional championship last season. With junior setter Taylor Jeffers returning, Newark aims to fill the gaps left by graduated top hitters. Sophomore Rylie Carlson is expected to step up, making it challenging to bet against Newark’s established pedigree.

Tonya Grayson Returns, This Time at Parkview Christian
Former Newark head coach Tonya Grayson is back on the sidelines, now leading the Parkview Christian program. Grayson, who boasts an impressive record of 555 wins and multiple state titles, is now tasked with developing a youthful roster filled with 10 sophomores and 5 freshmen. Her proven track record makes Parkview a team to watch closely this season.

Plano and Sandwich on the Rise
Both Plano and Sandwich made strides last season, with Plano improving by five wins to reach a regional final, while Sandwich achieved a remarkable nine-win jump, marking their best performance since 2019 with 16 wins. As Sandwich welcomes new coach Shannon Stahl, and Plano sets its sights on potentially winning 20 matches this fall, their progress will be an exciting storyline to follow.

New Player of the Year Candidates Emerge
With Sidney Hamaker graduated, the race for the new Record Newspapers Player of the Year is wide open. Expect Hannah Herrick to step up as the go-to hitter for Oswego. Additionally, top talent is emerging at Oswego East with Ali Coy, a senior recruit for Austin Peay, and at Yorkville with Sophia Blank, a junior middle committed to Loyola. As Taylor Jeffers leads Newark, the competition for this season’s top player promises to be fierce.

As the season kicks off, fans can expect intense competition and compelling narratives as teams battle for supremacy in Kendall County. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage as we follow all the action!