Even though her team’s overall record might suggest otherwise, junior outside hitter Bella Maras said this has been a fun season for Sandburg.

Last year, the Eagles struggled to a rare losing record. The preseason hopes were for a big turnaround. While that hasn’t happened, the 6-foot Maras is still enjoying the experience.

“This season has definitely been a wild card,” Maras said, recognizing the ups and downs Sandburg has gone through. “But it has been a fun season. All the girls get along really well.”

All was well again Tuesday night as the host Eagles rolled to a 25-12, 25-6 victory over Richards in a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal match in Orland Park.

Maras led Sandburg (13-22) with 10 kills, while Aubrey Deverick added six. Ava Troy and Ellery Dyra each had five. Marilena Karbo also unleased a service run of 16 straight points in the second game for the Eagles, who ended up with a mammoth 29-7 advantage in kills.

Richards (13-19) jumped out a 5-0 lead in the first game as Mia Albon recorded three aces and Peyton Craan chalked up two kills, but Sandburg recovered and dominated the rest of the way.

Sandburg’s Bella Maras (9) goes up for a kill against Richards during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal match in Orland Park on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

The Eagles play at 6 p.m. Thursday in the regional final against defending state champion Marist (30-5), which beat Bloom 25-5, 25-6 behind six kills from Maeve Gill, five kills from Evelyn Slattery and 12 assists from Kelly Ryan.

Maras, meanwhile, has been a menace in a good way for Sandburg since coach David Vales made the switch and allowed her to play in the back row.

“We had to figure out a way to keep her in,” Vales said of Maras. “Sometimes, an outside needs to feel the flow of the game. When you throw them in and throw them out, there’s no rhythm.

“There’s something about staying in the game. For Bella, it translated into a better offense. Her hitting percentage has gone higher and she has become that weapon we’ve been looking for.”

Sandburg’s Marilena Karbo (1) sets the ball against Richards during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal match in Orland Park on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Maras got into volleyball in eighth grade at Century Junior High when a friend talked her into playing. A basketball player, she started enjoying volleyball more and dropped the other sport.

“I got kind of got a late start, but volleyball has been a really fun experience,” Maras said. “And it’s not as aggressive as basketball.”

Troy has noticed a big change this season in Maras from last fall, when Maras was a sophomore getting her first taste of the varsity level.

“Bella is a really great player,” Troy said. “She’s a great hitter and great at back row, too. I feel like she’s very consistent with her hits this year and she continues to grow.

Sandburg’s Ava Troy (16) splits the block of Richards’ Phalyn Dyson (5) and Emily Chavosky (7) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal match in Orland Park on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“I’m excited to see how she will grow for the next season, too.”

Vales confirmed that hard work went into Maras’ improvement.

“She’s done everything every year I’ve known her since eighth grade,” Vales said. “She goes to everything she can in the summer. She plays club. She has lessons with a coach. She plays beach.

“Anytime we have anything, she’s here and working hard. After putting that work in, you are starting to see that pay off.”

Sandburg’s Bella Maras (9) goes up for the block against Richards during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal match in Orland Park on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Some of the power Maras displays has been a result of rigorous weight lifting.

“I did a lot of training,” she said. “I did training to get my vertical up. During the offseason, I lifted three times a week for strength. But during the season, I just do vertical training.”

While Marist figures to be a tall task Thursday, the Eagles are ready to give it a shot. The win over Richards helps, giving them a boost of confidence.

“We’ve been trying our best and really working hard in practice,” Maras said. “This was a pretty big win and we were confident going into the game. We worked really hard in the gym to win this.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/28/bella-maras-sandburg-richards-ihsa-girls-volleyball/