Girls volleyball has had a great start this season, but they are hoping to rise up this season in the Wheaton’s classic on Sept. 20 after taking 22 place last season.

“We prepare everyday for the next day, so we just have to practice each day like if we had the top match the next day,” said Coach Pam MacPherson, “We will be competing with some of the top teams in state,Its always a great test to see how we can do midway through the season ” added MacPherson. “We are practicing hard and always going into games trying to win,” said senior captain Wali Deutsch.

Some of the schools the girls will have to be facing in the tournament will be Naperville North and Neuqua Valley high school. “We beat Neuqua Valley in summer league and Naperville Is always a strong team,” said MacPherson, “It all depends on how we show up,” she added.

“It’s a very tough tournament, its all the suburban schools which have the best volleyball out west,” a explained MacPherson. “I feel like if we all come together prepared we can beat any team,” said senior captain Aliana Alanguilan.

Strategically MacPherson is focusing both on offensive and defensively. The girls will also be heading into the tournament with a new line up switching from a 5-2 into a 6-2. “Right now we are trying to find a stronger block while still having a strong offense,” said MacPherson.

These non-conference games are about finding our rhythm and consistency, because conference is what matters to us,” explained MacPherson.

“We definitely need to focus on offensive and defensive options are,” added MacPhearson, “we also have to make sure that all of our players are ready to step in to fill in a role,” said MacPherson.

“Every single one of our 13 players is a key role player on our team,” explained MacPherson.

Some key players for this tournament and the season will be captains Tess Brieva, Wali Deutsch and Aliana Alanguilan also adding to this list will also be seven returning senior players, five who have been on varsity for three years.

“I think its a huge difference with last years with the comfort level and confidence level of the seniors,” explained MacPherson.

Last year the girls took 22 out of 24 schools last season, losing to Oak Park and River Forest then coming back and winning against Libertyville. “We were kind of a young team last year but I feel like now we are a lot stronger,” said Alanguilan.

“I definitely think we will improve from last season, we were younger last season,” said MacPherson, “We are definitely a more experienced team and i think we are ready to compete,” stated MacPherson who only graduated two seniors last season.

The girls are coming into the tournament from against Lake forest but losing against both Loyola Academy and Libertyville.