The 2025 girls volleyball season was truly special locally as both Oak Park and River Forest (Class 4A), Fenwick (3A), and Trinity (2A) each won sectional championships in the same year for the first time. With each school bringing back multiple returning players, the area could be in for another fun fall.
Here’s how OPRF, Fenwick, and Trinity look heading into the season:
OPRF
The Huskies had a sensational 2025 season in head coach Symone Speech’s debut, finishing 26-8 with the program’s first West Suburban Conference Silver Division title since 1992 and first sectional championship since 2014. While OPRF lost six players to graduation, Speech is optimistic about the team putting together another terrific campaign.
“Our biggest strengths are our depth and how connected this group is,” she said. “We have so many players who can step in and contribute, and they genuinely push one another to get better every single day.”
Senior outside/libero Devyn Kleidon, a four-year varsity player who is committed to the University of Idaho, agrees with Speech’s assessment.
“In practice every day, we’re working really hard, pushing each other, and it’s a lot of fun in the gym,” she said. “We’re really excited to get it going.”
Kleidon is one of nine returnees for OPRF. She had 179 kills and 178 digs in 2025.
Other notable returnees include senior outside Emmi Bozarth (257 kills, 193 digs, 57 aces, 16 blocks), senior setter Edie Carol (216 assists, 65 digs, 14 aces), senior middle Jaida Garland (80 kills, team-high 37 blocks), senior defensive specialist Mia Mahoney (27 aces), and junior middle Eva Truss.
The Huskies look forward to getting contributions from a pair of transfers: senior outside Anyiha Scott, a Howard University commit who comes from IMG Academy in Florida, and senior outside Bella Gray. The latter is a familiar name for local volleyball fans as Gray, a St. Louis University commit, comes in from East Avenue neighbor Fenwick, where last year she had 319 kills, 217 digs, 34 aces, and 24 blocks.
“We’re having so much fun with her. Bella’s loving it,” said Kleidon of Gray, one of her best friends. “We all connected so fast. It’s like a sisterhood, a family, and she’s going to help us.”
Repeating as conference champions and punching its state finals ticket for the first time are attainable goals for OPRF, provided the proper mindset is maintained.
“Of course, we would love to go all the way and compete for a state championship,” Speech said, “but more than anything, I want this group to finish the season feeling proud of the work they put in and the growth they experienced together.”
Fenwick
The Friars have shown steady progress in Tee Pimsarn’s three seasons as head coach. Last fall, they went 26-12 and won a sectional title for the first time since 2016. Pimsarn is eager for the program to take the next step: a trip to state. But he also knows there’s work to be done.
“I’ve done this long enough to know that every season is different and there are no guarantees, but we’re working on continuous improvement of our volleyball standards and culture,” he said.
Fenwick brings back six players, including top returnees in junior outside Emily Drumm, senior setters Hailey Bernahl and Sofia Grossman, junior pin hitter Maggie Hiller, and senior outside Jordan Rossi.
“We need experienced players like Emily, Hailey, Jordan, and Sofia to carry the momentum and standard of last year into this season,” Pimsarn said. “We told them what we did last season was great, but we have to move on and focus on this year. We’re looking forward to their leadership and how our younger players respond to the demands and expectations of a varsity player.”
Newcomers include freshman pin hitter Maeve Mulvihill, freshman outside Olivia Vanosky, sophomore setter Phoebe Baker, and junior middle Taylor Durham. While it likely will take some time for Fenwick to fully gel, Pimsarn hopes the Friars are at their best when the postseason arrives.
“We need everyone to peak in October and November, and I genuinely believe that anything before that is time we have to figure out what we have,” he said. “There’s a lot of volleyball to be played, along with growth, challenges, and improvement. This team will be a different team in October compared to August.”
Trinity
Coming off a 24-15 record and their first sectional title since 2008, with nine returning players, the Blazers are seeking their first-ever state finals trip.
Senior setter Maddie Trendel, junior outside Liv Trendel, and sophomore libero Kate Puttin are the leading returnees for second-year head coach Molly Puttin. Trinity’s other experienced players are juniors Nieve Clements, Maeve Corrigan and Millie Keith along with seniors Sophia Hadley, Anaya Henderson, and Taylor Long.
Trinity’s newcomers are freshmen Eden McGoey and Zoe Winners, and juniors Asia Alexander, Layla Hardison, and Maeve Leahy.
“The success of our season will be our team’s attitude,” Puttin said. “This is a great group of athletes that have such a great vibe. Team goal is to make it back to the supersectional. We’re looking for a positive attitude and good work ethic.”