Boys volleyball all-area team / DuPage County

Paulie Bischoff, Glenbard West

Bischoff, a 6-foot-3 sophomore setter moved right in as a starter and quickly became a major force, helping to lead the Hilltoppers to a third-place finish at state. "When he's on the floor the game flows," said Glenbard West coach Christine Giunta-Mayer. "He can do it all. He jumps out of the gym and he'd be outstanding at any position. He's just a natural who demands the opposition's attention. You'll be hearing a lot about him the next few years."

Jack Burton, Naperville Central

The high-flying 6-foot-4 junior outside hitter took his all-around game to a higher level this year. He registered more than 400 kills and he was all-tournament at the Wheaton Classic, the Brother Rice Invite and was named MVP at the Benet Invitational. He has a great jump-serve. "He's a smarter player this year," said Naperville Central coach Roger Strausberger. "He's picking his shots and he's able to adjust better. He's a true go-to guy."

Jon Chiczewski, Naperville Central

Chiczewski, a senior, has been an impact player for the Redhawks since his freshman year. At 6-foot-1 he has modest size for an outside hitter, but he makes great hand contact on the ball. He's a smart player who excels at passing and defense. He had 206 kills and passed at a 2.31 rate. "Jon is steady in pressure situations," coach Roger Strausberger said. "He provides stability and leadership for the younger guys. He's never frazzled." Chiczewski will attend Hope College.

Graham Clark, Wheaton North

This 6-foot-7 middle hitter is a three-year starter who averages about 10 kills and 3 blocks a match. He's mobile enough to be a threat at any position along the front line. He's the Falcons' main offensive weapon who has strength, quickness and great court vision. "Anything in Graham's hands is going down on the other side," said Wheaton North coach John Noe. "You can't power it through him." Clark will attend Marymount University in Virginia.

Alex Dickmann, Addison Trail

Everyone knows the ball is going to Dickmann, a high-jumping 6-foot-4 junior outside hitter, but nobody's figured out a way to stop him. He has all the shots and can see around the block. "Our team has done well in pressure situations," said Addison Trail coach Chad Grant, "and a lot of that is led by Alex, who is calm and collected and never loses his cool. His teammates look to him for leadership." This was his second year as team captain.

Pasquale Fiduccia, Glenbard North A versatile three-year starting setter, Fiduccia can deliver the perfect pass and he's a threat at the net. He had 457 assists and added 102 kills, 92 digs and 42 blocks. Fiduccia has the quickness and agility to make big plays everywhere on the court. He was all-tournament at both the Blackhawk and Addison Tail Invites. "Pasquale is a great competitor," said Glenbard North coach Dedra DeBenedetti. "He's an outstanding leader." Fiduccia will attend McKendree University.

Sterling Glover, Glenbard East

Glover is an outside hitter, who can do it all despite standing under 6-foot tall. The senior led the Rams with 245 kills and showed his ability as a defender with 144 digs. "Sterling is one of the most competitive players I've coached and an emotional leader on the floor," coach Marci Maier said. "This year he maximized his skills." Glover will attend Benedictine as a member of the Eagles' first-year program.

Jake Hafen, Naperville North

The 6-foot-3 Hafen moved from middle hitter to his natural outside hitting position as a senior and brought strength, confidence, athleticism and knowledge to the new position. His all-around game resulted in 217 kills, many from the back row, 27 aces, 29 blocks and 177 digs. "He does it all," said Naperville North coach Nate Bornancin. "He's our best passer, our most consistent server and a great defender." Hafen will attend Florida Gulf Coast.

John Hildebrand, WW South

Hildebrand, a 5-foot-11 junior, has quietly grown into one of the best liberos in the state. His anticipation and reactions are what separates him from many others at the position. He came up with more than 400 digs, served for 32 aces and passed at a 2.6 level. "John is a leader on the court," said Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier, "and he has the ability to make the hard play look easy."

Jeff Jendryk, St. Francis

Jendryk is probably the most dominating middle in the state. The 6-foot-8 third-year starter will play for NCAA champion Loyola next year. He can run every kind of set and hit from everywhere on the court. Jendryk led the Spartans in kills with 293. He contributed 126 blocks and 65 digs. He was all-tournament at Brother Rice and Benet. "Jeff is the kind of player who can take over a match," said St. Francis coach Mike Lynch.

Kyler Kotsakis, Glenbard West

If you're looking for a top team for next year, think about the Hilltoppers. Kotsakis is another outstanding member of the sophomore class and he stepped right in as a high-impact outside hitter putting down 234 kills and 68 blocks. The other team has to key on him because he can put the ball away from the front or back row. "He's one of the greatest competitors," said coach Christine Giunta-Mayer. "He just finds a way to win.

Quin Krisik, Lake Park

The captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team, Krisik, a 6-foot-1 senior, led the Lancers to fourth place at state. He's great at keeping all his hitters involved and communicating. Another coach on the floor and a fierce competitor, Krisik is also a great defender, passer, hitter and server. "Quin's everything you'd want in a setter," said Lake Park coach Tim Murphy. He distributed 803 assists and came up with 77 digs. He's headed for the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Garrett Metzger, Benet

In his three years as a starter the 6-foot-5 senior middle Metzger has become a team leader and a student of the game. An imposing presence at the net, he can read the sets and make adjustments quickly. He delivered 168 kills and 77 blocks. He has the speed to be a major factor all along front row. "Garrett is a quiet leader and a great teammate," said Benet coach Amy Van Eekeren. He'll attend St. Louis University.

Andrew Miller, Metea Valley

The Mustangs' senior setter is one of the best in Illinois with 810 assists. He also had 60 kills, more than 100 digs and 30 aces. His all-around game has been an inspiration to his young teammates. "Andrew always comes up with big plays both as a setter and hitter," said Metea coach John Aister. "And he can reach balls others can't. Without him I don't know where we'd be." Miller will attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Sean Moore, Lake Park

One of the best middles in Illinois, the 6-foot-5 Moore is fast, closes blocks consistently and also serves a strong hitting option. He finished the regular season with 210 kills, 97 blocks and 77 digs. "I've seen Sean do things that very few hitters do," coach Tim Murphy said. "He's great in transition, really fast. He takes pride in drawing the other team's middle, even if he doesn't get the kills." Moore will play club ball at Missouri.

Michael Simmons, Waubonsie Valley

Simmons, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, is a complete player, a true superstar. He missed most of his junior year to a knee injury but came out with a vengeance as a senior with 524 kills, about 15 a match. "He came back from the injury a smarter volleyball player," said Waubonsie coach Al Lagger. "There's nothing he can't do, and he's a consummate leader who makes everyone around him better." Simmons will play at Lewis University.

Mike Schmitt, Downers Grove South

Schmitt, a 6-foot-5 senior has worked hard to become a complete volleyball player. He's smart and he hits with a lot of power. He's the Mustangs kill leader with 306, and he came up with 134 digs. He also has a penchant for going on big service runs. "Mike's always positive, never down," coach Kurt Steuer said. "He's a team captain, a leader who always supports his teammates. Schmitt will attend Marquette.

Dominick Terry, Lake Park

This 6-foot-2 senior leaper is a high-energy player who feeds off the emotions of the game. He has all the shots and led the Lancers in kills with 222 while also coming up with 136 digs. A terrific athlete, Terry also played varsity football. "Dom is very demanding of himself and of his teammates," coach Tim Murphy said. "He plays hard all the time." Terry will play at Calumet College in Indiana.

Will Tischler, Downers Grove South

The 6-foot-7 junior outside hitter amazes his teammates with his leaping ability and his knack for getting the big kill, dig or serve. He has great court vision and he's become a smart hitter who knows how to vary his shots. Tischler was second on the Mustangs in kills with 271 and he's become relentless on defense with 155 digs, plus he's an aggressive server. "Will's potential is through the roof," said Mustangs coach Kurt Steuer.

Jared Wilcox, WW South

This was Wilcox's second year as a starter and first on the right side. The 6-foot-6 senior improved all aspects of his game this year, putting down 375 kills, while amassing 56 blocks, 160 digs and 33 aces. His increased quickness and foot speed have been impressive. "He's a stabilizing force out there," said Tigers coach Bill Schreier. "He's a smarter hitter and he relishes the role of go-to guy." Wilcox will play volleyball at McKendree College.