Carmel sophomore Brailyn Albanese isn’t afraid of change on the volleyball court.

A setter on the junior varsity team last season, the 5-foot-10 Albanese has become the Corsairs’ jack-of-all-trades. She has played setter, right-side hitter, right-back defender and eventually outside hitter.

“I think it’s good that I’ve moved around because it gives me new opportunities, and I know I’m able to achieve new things,” she said. “I think I can handle it.”

Albanese certainly handled her role Thursday. She had two kills during a key sequence early in the third set, powering top-seeded Carmel to a 25-18, 13-25, 25-15 victory over fifth-seeded Wauconda in the Class 3A Vernon Hills Regional championship match.

“I was thinking I have to make a play for my team to win and to give it my all so we could come home with a victory,” Albanese said. “We were working together with positive energy.”

Albanese finished eight kills and four digs for the underclassmen-driven Corsairs (27-10), who will play second-seeded Crystal Lake Central (21-15) in a Carmel Sectional semifinal at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Sophomore setter Charlotte Shepherd had 27 assists, sophomore outside hitter Scarlett Olszowka had nine kills and three digs, freshman middle hitter Liv Johnson had five kills and four aces, and sophomore libero Beca Arreola had 15 digs.

Carmel’s Charlotte Shepherd (11) sends the ball over the net during the Class 3A Vernon Hills Regional championship match against Wauconda on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Brian O’Mahoney / News-Sun)

The Bulldogs (12-21) made a valiant effort but fell short. Carmel was clinging to an 11-8 lead in the third set before Albanese delivered two kills and Johnson, the daughter of former Illinois basketball standout Lucas Johnson, served four aces.

“Brailyn kick-started us in the third set, and we never looked back from that moment,” Carmel coach David Pazely said. “Brailyn is incredibly versatile and is always working to learn and improve. She can hit with power, but she also knows when and how to adjust and make the ball move to earn kills in multiple ways.

“She’s selfless and will do whatever it takes. She puts the needs of the team first. She’s a leader on and off the court.”

Pazely said Albanese also is an X-factor for the Corsairs, especially since sophomore middle hitter Peyton Teipel suffered an injury in the middle of the season.

“She allows us to be flexible with our lineups and make adjustments wherever needed,” Pazely said. “The team knows they can count on her to make plays, and she has embraced that role all season long.

“She has been a utility knife player and really stepped into her own as an outside hitter for us. When Peyton went down, Brailyn stepped up, and we shifted our lineup. She has been a difference-maker and a good terminator for us at outside hitter.”

Albanese’s versatility has impressed Carmel senior setter Suzy Trznadel.

“She’s willing to try anything,” Trznadel said. “She used to be a setter and now is an outside, and she just goes after it and is willing to swing and make mistakes.

“She tries hard every day. When you perfect one skill, it’s really hard to change and do something else. Brailyn has definitely adapted well and takes on any challenge and crushes it.”

Carmel’s Brailyn Albanese spikes the ball during the Class 3A Vernon Hills Regional championship match against Wauconda on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Brian O’Mahoney / News-Sun)

Shepherd has a long history with Albanese that dates back to their time playing together for the Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball Club as 11-year-olds. Shepherd has come to appreciate what Albanese can do.

“She knows how to put a ball down at the right time and has a very good court awareness when it comes to placing the ball,” Shepherd said. “Her energy and positivity on the court pick others up, and it has allowed us to win many close games.”

Albanese, who also runs the 400 meters and 800 meters in track, wants to win more.

“I’m definitely excited about my future because we have a lot of potential,” she said. “We’re definitely a little young, but we have a lot of talent and a lot of things to look forward to in the future.”

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/3a-volleyball-wauconda-carmel-brailyn-albanese/