Few can forget the success of the Minooka girls volleyball program these past few years; their 2016 and 2017 IHSA state runner-up finishes go unparalleled in school history.

After losing 11 seniors, six of them being the starting rotation, and only four returning varsity players, most teams would be discouraged in the coming season. Team ’18, however, is taking this challenge in stride.

“Last year’s finish was very disappointing. We all worked so hard to make it to the state championship, and to come up short for the second year in a row was hard,” Bella Alessio, senior right-side, said. “This year, many people have been labeling us as a rebuilding team when actually we are just reloading.”

This fall season marks a number of firsts for the program. This year is the first time conference has moved to both JV and varsity, erasing a sophomore team from the equation and making tryouts all the more competitive. The senior class is also the first group to have head coach Carrie Prosek all four years in the program. Lastly, after losing so many seniors last season, the girls have a fresh new lineup consisting of five seniors, six juniors, and one sophomore.

Though the program is younger than it has been in previous years, the team will be under promising leadership from experienced senior captains: Bella Alessio, Nicole Kijowski, and Jamie DiBiase.

“It’s going to be a really great season,” said DiBiase, setter. “Everyone is getting along really well, and there is a lot of talent, so it’s very exciting.”

The team opens up the weekend of Aug. 24 with a tournament hosted at Plainfield North, and the first home game is Aug. 29 versus JCA.

“(It’s a) very athletic group who can play multiple positions which will benefit us throughout the season and will challenge other teams,” said Prosek.

Bella Alessio is expected to carry the offense from the right side and Kijowski will most likely have a huge impact on the defense from her libero position.

“We are focusing this year on defense and serve receive so that we are still able to run a faster offense,” said Bella Alessio.

The energy from last year’s journey has not dwindled in the off season. Girls volleyball is more fired up and ready to go than ever.

“(They’re a) great group of girls who work hard, (are) eager to play, and love to win,” Prosek said. “I am excited to see them play.”