We’re two weeks into the 2024 fall sports season, which means The News-Gazette is ready to highlight the teams starting to separate themselves from the pack. Here is the first volleyball poll of the season, courtesy preps coordinator Zach Piatt:

1. Westville

Record: 10-0

The Tigers return just about everybody from a team that won 30 matches last year, and they’re already a third of the way there just a couple weeks into the season as the last area unbeaten remaining. Fresh off her team winning a Tiger Slam Tournament championship, Ella Miller looks to be a force offensively, as do Madelyn Doggett and Maddie Appl. And Lainey Wichtowski is back to her N-G All-Area First-Team setter ways. Westville fell just short of a Class 2A regional title last year, and it’s ready for that and then some.

2. Mahomet-Seymour

Record: 7-1

No Avery Allen, no problem. The Bulldogs have spent their first few matches proving they’re still one of the state’s best after the departure of Allen, the two-time N-G Player of the Year who’s now playing beach volleyball at Boise State. Having two more Division I recruits on the court — Lily Bosworth has committed to Michigan State, and Ellie Barker is heading to Butler — helps with that. Their lone loss was from a miraculous comeback by Champaign Central, but M-S bounced back to win the Centennial Invite.

3. St. Thomas More

Record: 8-1

Just another successful start to what’s shaping up to be another successful season for the Sabers. They were a young team that clicked at the right time last year and came one set away from the Class 2A state finals. Now, they have one of the most dynamic offenses around with Addie Kerr dishing out countless assists to the Monahan sisters, Shannon and Cassidy. After starting 8-0, the Sabers’ only loss was to Mahomet-Seymour in the Centennial Invite championship. If they keep playing like this, however, they’ll win plenty of hardware later.

4. LeRoy

Record: 7-1

The Panthers have only lost three sets all season, largely thanks to the efforts of talents like Laila Carr, Natalie Loy and Ella Menenga. The first weekend of the season, they won the Ridgeview Invite for the first time in dominating fashion, and they only look to be getting better. LeRoy has some of the best girls’ sports teams in the area — winning regional volleyball, basketball and softball titles last year — and it’s off to a hot start.

5. Cissna Park

Record: 7-1

The Timberwolves had one of the best seasons in school history in 2023, winning a program-record 37 matches and placing fourth at the Class 1A state finals. Their talented core of then-sophomores are now juniors — led by Addison Lucht, Sophie Duis and Josie Neukomm — and they’ve returned with valuable experience and the highest of expectations. You’re going to be seeing a lot of success from Cissna Park the next couple years as long as that group sticks together.

6. Champaign Central

Record: 4-5

Bridget Cassady is the returning leader from a solid Maroons team that made a Class 3A regional championship appearance, and she’s done nothing but continue to lead this season. New addition Sienna Zapparoli from Italy has proven to be a strong piece, but the Maroons have leaned heavily on Cassady in big moments through their competitive early schedule, like a three-set comeback win over rival Mahomet-Seymour on the road.

7. Monticello

Record: 8-3

The Sages are off to a solid start to the 2024 campaign, which hasn’t been a shock considering do-it-all senior Sierrah Downey’s numbers to this point. She’s flirted with triple-doubles all season, and she nearly averaged one throughout Monticello’s runner-up showing at the Mattoon Invitational, tallying 48 kills, 58 assists and 59 digs in five matches. The Sages will be a team to watch if Downey and company can keep this up.

8. Watseka

Record: 8-3

The Warriors had yet another 20-plus-win season under coach Krista Pufahl in 2023, winning their second Class 2A regional title in three years, and if the first 10 matches are any indication, 2024 will be no different. Lauren Tegtmeyer has been the go-to offensive weapon, with Christa Holohan, Ella Smith and Noelle Schroeder turning in complementary performances. They just took third at the Manteno Invite and would love to replicate their 2014 run to state.

9. Unity

Record: 7-5

The Rockets made a statement in their first two matches of the season, beating Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin and taking LeRoy down to the wire in a three-set thriller. Five of their matches have gone to three sets, and they’ve competed with just about everyone they’ve played. Jillian Schlittler looks to be the team’s stat sheet stuffer, with Shelby Smith providing a quality second option, Lauren Shaw distributing and Chloey Duitsman holding down the defense.

10. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

Record: 6-3

The Falcons have played eight matches, and they’ve all resulted in sweeps. Good thing they’ve been on the winning side of most of them. It’s been a welcomed change of pace for the Falcons, who won just seven matches in 2023 and five in 2022. They’ve already split those win totals on the back of standout Sophia Ray, and they have no plans of stopping. If the Falcons can keep this pace, they’ll be well on their way to GCMS’ second winning season since 2000.