Fox Valley Conference

Burlington Central

Coach: Julia Smagacz (fourth season)

Last season: 28-9, 13-5 FVC (third)

Top returners: Haidyn Schatz, sr., OH; Peyton Strout, sr., MB; Ainsley Wilson, jr., MB; Tiernan Naus, jr., S; Julia Johnson, sr., RS; Rukmini Gangavarapu, sr., RS/MB

Key newcomers: LaRaiya Cunningham-Duncan, so., OH; Keaton Campbell, jr., DS/L

Worth noting: The Rockets made a big jump in the FVC last year, jumping four spots after a seventh-place finish in 2023, while their 28 wins represented an eight-win improvement. Central beat Vernon Hills in the Class 3A Sycamore Regional final for the program’s first postseason title since 2014. ... Strout (Minnesota State University–Mankato commit) earned Northwest Herald All-Area honors and was second in the FVC in block

See Full Page