Niles West Sports Roundup: Girls Volleyball Seeks to Repeat Record Season

Girls Volleyball: Coming off the best season in school history last year, Niles West is setting the bar even higher. The Wolves won a school record 23 games and advanced to the sectional title match for the first time, losing to New Trier in a thrilling three-set match.

Still, this year’s team wants more, including another shot at the Trevians, who also took home last season’s conference title.

It won’t be easy after losing eight seniors, including two all-conference starters. But coach Stacy Metoyer is confident, and it’s a direct result of an evolution in Niles West’s volleyball program over the past 10 years.

“My first year, I had nobody playing club, not one,” said Metoyer, who is in her eighth year as the varsity head coach. “Through the years, volleyball has become a bigger sport; girls have become more dedicated, and we’ve pushed it to them and they’ve been on board it.”

Now, Metoyer says a number of girls are playing year-round, participating on local travel teams and the incoming freshmen play in the summer league. One example is sophomore Olivia Rusek, who is moving to outside hitter after playing in the middle last season. Along with Milena Zalloni, Rusek is expected to provide a lot of the offense for the Wolves.

“Both of them are tall, can jump high and put the ball down,” Metoyer said. “Both girls will be big for us this year.”

Niles West had its first match of the season last week, defeating Maine West 25-18, 25-14. Senior libero Molly Kleppin, who is another returning starter, had eight digs in the victory.

Glenbrook South and New Trier are expected to be two of the better teams in the Central Suburban League (CSL) South, but Metoyer says the Wolves have the talent to finish in the top three in the conference and potentially capture the school’s first sectional title.

“The girls that have entered the team and the girls that are returners have really stepped up their play, they’re a very talented group,” Metoyer said.

Boys Soccer: Niles West was ranked No. 8 coming into the season by the Chicago Tribune, and beat Barrington 1-0 in its season opener. The Wolves fell in their second game of the season to Lake Park 3-0 on Aug. 25.   

Boys Golf: Niles West fell in its first two dual matches against CSL opponents. The Wolves lost 155-167 to Deerfield on Aug. 23 and were nipped by Highland Park 157-162 two days later. Niles West’s Hester Lee was a medalist in the Highland Park dual match, shooting 38 to tie for the low round over nine holes.

SCOREBOARD

Football:

Aug. 26 - Niles 49, Westinghouse 20

Girls Tennis:

Aug. 24 - Vernon Hills 6, Niles West 1