Sophia Youssef entered the 2025 season never playing middle before.

The 6-foot-1 Benet junior had only ever played setter, and never even thought about playing at middle heading into her first varsity season.

But with a chance to send the Redwings to their fourth consecutive trip to state with a win the Class 4A Bartlett supersectional, she fully embraced her role as a middle gladly, by becoming a wall.

“When I go up I always want to go get a block,” Youssef said. “That’s always my goal. I don’t want to get a touch, I want to shut them down.”

Youssef posted four blocks in the game, helping the Redwings pull away in both sets to secure a 25-15, 25-12 victory over New Trier to secure their spot in the Class 4A state semifinals for the fourth consecutive season Monday.

“I love getting

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