Wheaton volleyball is poised for a big season with six returning varsity players from last season’s seven-win team.
“One of our biggest strengths heading into the season is the number of returning varsity players,” Wheaton head coach Cheyanne Gudgell said. “This group has already built strong chemistry on the court and understands how to support one another, both emotionally and strategically. That level of trust and cohesion gives us a solid foundation to build on.”
Nevaeh Crandall (middle hitter) and Jayci Park (outside attacker) return as the team’s two seniors. Crandall had 203 kills, 42 aces, 24 blocks, 413 digs and 665 receptions has season. Park contributed 105 kills, 45 aces, 404 digs and 478 receptions last season.
“Our two seniors, Nevaeh Crandall and Jayci Park are standout leaders on the court,” Gudgell said. “Both play all six rotations and are our go-to players in high-pressure moments. Last season, they led the team statistically in kills, digs, aces, and blocks, and we’ll continue to lean on their leadership and skill this year.”
Avery Schlessman (outside attacker) and Lily Walling (right side) return to the junior class. Schlessman had 67 kills, 22 aces, 255 digs and 432 receptions as a sophomore. Walling had 25 aces, 254 digs and 68 assists.
“These two athletes bring contagious energy and positivity to our team,” Gudgell said. “They’re mentally tough, hard-working, and highly knowledgeable about the game. Both played all six rotations last season and are poised to make an even bigger impact this year.”
Sophomore Morgan Crandall (middle hitter) and Ava Bui (libero) round out the returning varsity players. As a freshman, Morgan Crandall had 72 kills and 33 aces while Bui contributed 133 receptions and 233 digs.
“They made significant strides toward the end of last season and began to truly adjust to the varsity level,” Gudgell said. “With that experience under their belts, I expect them to start this season with greater confidence and contribute right away.”
Mallory Royer (junior outside hitter), Shayle Prewitt (junior setter), Lexi Krueger (sophomore setter), Yami Vazquez (sophomore outside hitter), Hallie Potarf (freshman setter/right side) and Sydney Walling (freshman defensive specialist) are newcomers to watch.
“We also have a solid group of athletes who may see varsity action this season,” Gudgell said. “They’ve shown great commitment during summer workouts and open gyms, and their growth as players over the past year has been impressive. I’m excited to see how they continue to develop and what they bring to the court.”
Developing a new hitter-setter connection will be critical for Wheaton.
“An area we’ll focus on this season is integrating a new setter into our varsity lineup,” Gudgell said. “We have three talented setters stepping into new roles, each bringing a unique style, personality, and tempo to the court. Building connections between them and our hitters will be key as we strengthen team dynamics and communication.”
Wheaton hosts a jamboree on Aug. 26 before opening the season on Sept. 2 at Sheldon.
“Our overarching goal this year is to compete for every single point,” Gudgell said. “We want to make our opponents earn every opportunity by staying aggressive, keeping the ball in play, and never giving up on a rally. Whether it’s going all out for a dig or finding a way to take a swing rather than sending a free ball, our expectation is to play with heart, hustle, and resilience.”
