Edison's Entertainment Complex Female Athlete Of Month For Tigers: Madelyn Ohlau Will Be Senior Leader For Her Team

EDWARDSVILLE — Madelyn Ohlau, a four-year varsity player for the Edwardsville High School girls volleyball team, is preparing for her final season with the Tigers as the team opens Sept. 1, 2026, at Collinsville, aiming to build on last year’s 26-12 finish and contend in an expanded Southwestern Conference.

Ohlau, an outside hitter and defensive specialist, said during a preseason practice break that Edwardsville’s preparation has been encouraging.

“I think things have been going well,” Ohlau said. “Everyone has come to practice ready to play, and everyone has shown and given lots of energy and communication.”

Ohlau was a key contributor last season, serving 263 points and 68 aces. She also had 253 kills, 62 assists, 26 blocks, including two solo blocks, and 330 digs. Edwardsville’s season ended with a loss to Belleville East in the IHSA Class 4A sectional semifinal at O’Fallon.

Ohlau is an Edison's Entertainment Complex Female Athlete Of The Month.

As she enters her final high school season, Ohlau said she wants the Tigers to compete for a Southwestern Conference title and for each player to settle into a role.

“I hope we can come out as (Southwestern) conference champs,” Ohlau said. “I hope everyone can fulfill the role that they’re going to.”

The Southwestern Conference will have a different look this volleyball season with Granite City returning and Triad and Mascoutah joining the league. Ohlau said the additions will make the conference schedule more challenging.

“Mascoutah is always a very good program,” Ohlau said in analyzing the new teams, “and Triad and Granite City also come with lots of fire, too. So it’ll definitely be a difficult challenge.”

Ohlau said one of her goals is to be a dependable presence for Edwardsville on the court.

“My goal is just to be the leader on the court,” Ohlau said. “I want to be the person my teammates can rely on and bring the leadership role.”

The season also carries personal meaning for Ohlau, who said her time with the program has included playing for her mother, Heather, the Tigers' head coach, and alongside teammates she has known for several years.

“Yeah, definitely it will have special meaning,” Madelyn Ohlau said. “Especially with my mom (Heather) as the coach, and I have played with some other girls for three or more years. So, it’ll definitely be bittersweet.”

Madelyn said she is optimistic about what is ahead for herself and the Tigers.

“Yes, I definitely think good things are coming,” Ohlau said.

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