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Sports

2011 Preview: Wheaton Warrenville South Girls Volleyball

Tigers ready to resume their winning ways this season.

Coach: Bill Schreier, 11th season (267-105)

2010 record: 16-20 overall, 6-8 in the DuPage Valley Conference (fifth place). Lost to St. Charles North in the regional semifinals.

Key players: Jessica Bossmann, jr. setter; Stephanie Budlong, jr. outside hitter; Kate Phalen, sr. outside hitter; Desirae Ranberg, sr. middle hitter; Krysta Watts, sr. right-side hitter.

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About the team

Schreier and the Tigers are confident last year’s 16-20 season—their first under-.500 season in Schreier’s previous 10 years as coach—is a one-time hiccup.

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“We have learned to win in various situations and have gained valuable experience through off-season playing, conditioning and winning,” Schreier said. “This team is definitely far from satisfied and ready to feast on teams (that are) looking past us.”

Wheaton Warrenville South came up empty in the “W” column during a 72-hour stretch when it competed at the Willowbrook Invitational last Saturday, and Tuesday against West Aurora--considered one of the DVC’s better teams. Nevertheless, the Tigers took the Blackhawks to three games before falling (winning the opening game 27-25) and went three games in the Willowbrook Invite title match with West Chicago—last year’s DVC champion which won 30 games.

Dominating the stat sheet for WWS vs. West Aurora are players who’ll form the core of this season’s squad. Phalen and Watts combined for 17 kills, and Bossmann dished out 27 assists.

All three are returning starters, with Phalen in the starting lineup for two of her four varsity seasons. Watts, meanwhile, has three years of starting experience under her belt. Phalen accumulated 231 kills, 190 digs and 44 aces last fall while Watts had 51 kills and 47 blocks. Bossmann compiled 278 assists.

“Once again, Kate should be a nice cornerstone for a good group of talented and hard-working players that want to achieve success at the highest level possible,” Schreier said. “The team has a bitter taste in their mouth from their regional loss last year and will play as a team with something to prove.”

Budlong and Ranberg also are returning starters who bring additional punch to the Tigers’ lineup. In 2010, Budlong recorded 155 digs and 132 kills.

A number of other players—some of whom played on the Tigers’ JV squad that placed third in the DVC—could figure into the mix as the season progresses. Talia Holtz, a sophomore right side hitter, racked up 275 kills at the JV level. Senior Rayanna Becker, along with juniors Sammy Granger and Kathy Mummath, all have varsity experience. Junior Lily Kelly and freshman Erin Staunton round out the team.

“We believe that last year was a learning year,” Schreier said. “We consider this year a reloading year and we have more depth than the team last year.”

The Tigers continued their DVC schedule at Naperville North Thursday night. Next Thursday, Sept. 15, they’ll host West Chicago, hoping to avenge their loss to the Wildcats at Willowbrook.

Sandwiched between the game with West Chicago is the two-day Wheaton Classic, hosted by WWS Sept. 14 and 17. The Classic involves 24 area teams, including Wheaton North and Wheaton Academy. Matches Sept. 14 will be held at WWS and Wheaton North; all matches Sept. 17 are at WWS.

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