1. Mother McAuley (39-3): Defending Class 4A state champions have a new setter but return big-time talent. It starts with Ellie White (Michigan), the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year. The senior outside hitter is joined at net by senior middle hitter Ellery Rees (Alabama), junior outside Sydney Buchanan and senior middle Keira Ohse. Senior libero Sam Falk (Loyola) leads defense.

2. Marist (32-7): Junior outside Bella Bullington (Northwestern) is far from the only standout for state powerhouse RedHawks. She’ll get most of her sets from seasoned junior Maddie Berry. Sophomore Elayna Davidson was one of their top defensive players last season. Seniors are led by right-side Jessica Kurpeikis (Green Bay), outside Katie Schoeberl and middle Hannah Hosty (Truman State).

3. Lockport (26-11): Porters should be a power in SouthWest Suburban Conference behind bevy of returning regulars. Seniors are paced by outside/libero Megan Consigny, setter Lainey Green, libero Payton Malinoski, middle Hailey Rak and outside Kylee Schurig. Junior middle Jenna Kolosta is a top blocker.

4. Lincoln-Way East (31-7): Griffins have ball of energy in senior libero Lexi Byas. Among top hitting targets for sophomore setter Maggie Simon are junior Tamia Maddox and senior Julia Chonarzewski. Sophomore Alaina Pollard and Illinois basketball recruit senior Hayven Smith will take care of the blocking.

5. Sandburg (22-16): Senior libero Reilly Chausse (Akron), one of area’s top defensive players, will anchor familiar roster for Eagles. Senior Keira Fitzgerald is back to set offense along with senior Maya Rihani. Senior outside Madi Mulhausen and senior middle Elise Sterling are top hitting duo.

6. Joliet Catholic (24-18): Angels, who have been moved up to 4A, have key pieces returning from last season’s 3A third-place finisher. They’ll be led by senior setter Jessica Horn and outside hitting duo of juniors Ellie Blotnik and Olivia Chovanec. Newcomer to watch is junior middle Heavenly Sarfo.

7. Lemont (26-13): Setting duo of senior Jessica Rimbo and junior April Rice is back. Almost all of starting lineup returns, including junior outside Keira O’Donnell (Southern Mississippi), senior middle Adyson DuVall and senior libero Riley Conry.

8. Lincoln-Way Central (27-10): What Knights lack in height they make up for in versatility, including setting/hitting combo of seniors Kiera King and Alyssa Teske. They combined for 735 assists and 392 kills. Junior middle Haley Podkul and junior outside Brooke Smid are newcomers expected to step right up.

9. De La Salle (29-9): Meteors are deep in experience, featuring senior outside Jennifer Falk and senior libero Maura Babuskow (St. Francis). Senior setter Giuliana Graczyk is an AAU All-American. Senior middle Marina Hosticka returns as leading blocker. Senior setter/outside Haley Chavez is healthy and ready.

10. Chicago Christian (31-9): Senior outside Nikki Swiney takes over leadership role as Knights plan long 2A playoff run. Junior libero Tegan Colyer not only plays tough defense but is top server. Junior right-side Chase Grevengoed is joined by freshman sister Quinn. Senior Aydee Moes returns at setter.

Maddie Berry, Marist, junior, setter; Kayla Birmingham, St. Laurence, junior, outside hitter; Evelyn Blacha, Reavis, senior, outside hitter; Bella Bullington, Marist, junior, outside hitter; Lexi Byas, Lincoln-Way East, senior, libero; Reilly Chausse, Sandburg, senior, libero; Olivia Chovanec, Joliet Catholic, junior, outside hitter; Tegan Colyer, Chicago Christian, junior, libero; Megan Consigny, Lockport, senior, outside hitter/libero; Elayna Davidson, Marist, sophomore, libero; Jennifer Falk, De La Salle, senior, outside hitter; Sam Falk, Mother McAuley, senior, libero; Lainey Green, Lockport, senior, setter; Jessica Horn, Joliet Catholic, senior, setter; Kiera King, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, setter/right-side hitter; Payton Mandac, Providence, senior, outside hitter; Keira O’Donnell, Lemont, junior, outside hitter; Ellery Rees, Mother McAuley, senior, middle hitter; Jessica Rimbo, Lemont, senior, setter; Caroline Smith, Lincoln-Way West, junior, outside hitter; Elise Sterling, Sandburg, senior, middle hitter; Nikki Swiney, Chicago Christian, senior, outside hitter; Alyssa Teske, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, setter/right-side hitter; LaDonna Trantham, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, right-side hitter; Ellie White, Mother McAuley, senior, outside hitter.