Willowbrook's varsity girls volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a straight-sets road win, defeating Walter Payton College Prep 2-0 in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 24.

Senior setter Melanie Marinier led the way. She posted 13 assists, 5 digs and a kill in the non-conference matchup, according to Willowbrook Athletics. Lily Rich added 2 digs, and Quintia Stallworth contributed a kill and 2 digs as the Warriors moved to 1-0 overall.

Head coach Irene Mason outlined her expectations for the season in a Suburban Life preview published Aug. 24. "We are going to grind hard, compete for every ball and go all out every single game," Mason said. "We will bring high energy and relentless defense into every match."

Mason, the 2023 American Volleyball Coaches Association Region Coach of the Year, returns a deep core of experienced players from a squad that went 20-16 overall and 4-2 in the West Suburban Gold last season, finishing third in conference.

Marinier, one of four key returning starters, posted 176 assists and 106 digs a year ago. She's joined by senior libero Tess Doyle, an all-conference selection who racked up 321 digs, 42 aces and 64 assists last season, along with senior middle blocker Maggie Hurley (155 kills, 38 blocks) and sophomore outside hitter Evelyn Lammers (164 kills, 78 digs).

Mason said defense will be the Warriors' strength this season, citing her returning starters' understanding of the game's speed as a reason for confidence.

Willowbrook travels to Elgin on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. for another non-conference test. The Warriors' home opener is Wednesday, Sept. 2, against Lyons at 4:30 p.m.