Huskies battle tough conference

Updated: August 22, 2011 10:15PM

The top two teams in the West Suburban Silver each reached the Class 4A state semifinals last season.

That doesn’t leave much room for Oak Park-River Forest to move into the top. With defending state champion Lyons and fourth place York returning plenty of top talent, the Huskies are looking to establish their own identity.

OPRF (22-17 last season, 3-3 conference) has two returning starters in seniors Audrey Greffen, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter, and Haley Clark, a 6-0 right-side hitter.

“We’re a young team this year,” OPRF coach Don August said. “We have a lot of young players that saw significant club experience.”

Top setter Jillian Briner has graduated and is now playing for Northeastern in Boston. Briner’s replacement is sophomore Amy Schembari, who did not even play on the varsity last season. The Huskies lost to Lyons 25-10, 25-11 in last year’s sectional semifinal.

Schembari is one of four sophomores August has decided to place on the varsity this season, including middle Kiley Nelson, outside hitter Emma Dunne and middle Jenna Kurtzer. Schembari and Kurtzer will see the most playing time among the sophomores while Nelson and Dunne will come off the bench. At least three of the sophomores are 5-10.

August, a former college coach at Illinois-Chicago, is the closest thing to a year-round volleyball coach. He also coaches the OPRF boys in the spring and coaches girls at Julian Junior High in January and February. Many of this year’s varsity players played for August as sixth graders. August teaches at Julian in the morning and Brooks in the afternoon. The only month August takes off during the school year is December.

“[Amy] has steadily developed,” August said. “I have been watching her since the sixth grade. She has shown steady improvement since then.”

Depending on matchups, Schembari could share setting duties with senior Katy Ordach, a starter from the girls soccer team. OPRF’s other multiple sport players are Nelson (basketball), junior libero Ellie Herner (lacrosse) and Dunne (lacrosse).

The addition of Ordach on the floor would allow Schembari to get some hitting attempts. Oldach and senior outside hitter Erin Martin were named co-captains.

“{Playing] in the West Suburban Silver develops confidence in your game,” August said. “Our first hurdle is to [overcome] our nervousness. We’re definitely talented. I believe it helps and we’ll play up to our abilities.”

Lyons and York will be tough to beat. Lyons returns Illinois-bound setter Alexis Viliunas and York returns top outside hitter Caroline Rose.

OPRF opens the season at 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Ignatius and hosts Trinity at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Huskies host Lyons Sept. 6 and plays at York on Sept. 27.

The strongest and deepest position for the Huskies is at outside hitter with Dunne, Martin, Ashley Hamilton, Callie Fitzgerald, Anne Coogan and Alena Tourtelotte.

“[My challenge] is getting playing time for everybody. I’m excited about it,” August said.

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