Boys volleyball: Lake County all-area team
Chris Akers LibertyvilleIt's another year as an all-conference selection for this talented volleyball player. Akers clearly enjoys volleyball. His Libertyville team made strides this spring and he was a major reason. A year ago, Akers excelled as a defensive player. This season, he did it all for the Wildcats. His kills total hit 230 this season and he had 213 digs. His serving was tough with 33 aces, and he was effective at the net with 37 blocks.
Nate Amos Lake ZurichYes, the Bears pulled off some upsets to make it to the sectional in Antioch this spring. And give some of the credit to man in the middle, Nate Amos. The junior hits the ball straight down. "Most high school teams do not utilize their middle hitters as often as their outsides, but that would not be the case with Lake Zurich,'' said Lake Zurich coach Lesly Ravenscraft. Amos averaged 7 kills, as well as 4-5 blocks. Late in the season he had a game in which he poured in 13 kills. "What is so special about Nate is that he can read the defense and knows when he should go for the swinging kill or the tip kill,'' Ravenscraft said. Ravenscraft watched her junior star get triple blocked in a regional title battle with Palatine. "And he still couldn't be stopped,'' she said. "He is a leader on the court, and he always plays to win. I cannot wait to see what he does for us next year."
Jared Bennett Vernon HillsThose who spotted Bennett's jump serve at the state tournament had to be impressed. Bennett has that down to a science. "His serve percentage improved dramatically through the year," said Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry, "so that the misses didn't negate the aces." Consequently, his rocket serve put him in the school record book with 53 aces. Bennett proved valuable for this second-place finisher at the state tournament. He can clearly hit the ball hard.
"Jared is versatile enough to play any hitter position,'' Curry said. "But he's also our best setter, so we split his time between the two, and he embraced them both, making huge strides in his understanding of the offense through working with coach (Charles)Mann, and improved his blocking to complement his already impressive hitting arm." For this special campaign, Bennett had 469 assists, 215 kills, 59 blocks and 170 digs.
Dylan DeBoer Vernon Hills
The acknowledged team leader, DeBoer had a terrific senior season. He's the captain of the Daily Herald's all-area team for Lake County. Now in the Vernon Hills record book for most kills in a match (24 in the state win over O'Fallon), DeBoer leaves quite the legacy behind him. "He led us all year, even when he wasn't leading us for a match here or there in kills or digs or aces,'' said Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry. "Then he was at his best in wins over Hersey and Barrington. Then he single-handedly carried us over O'Fallon. He was still great vs. Sandburg, even though he was sick. He's a fighter." His totals from this year were 304 kills, 197 digs, 51 aces and 35 blocks. He averaged over 3 kills per set. Curry noted only 11 players in the school's storied past have done that. His digs total for a career (479) are sixth in school history.
Peter Feely LibertyvilleYes, they welcomed this tall fellow from basketball to this spring sport. Pete Feely, as he's known in the volleyball world, brings a big blocking presence to the Libertyville squad. This hoopster found a home in the middle for the Wildcats and produced exactly what the team needed from him. Namely, blocking. Yes, he hit the century mark in blocks with exactly 100 to go with 118 kills and a strong hitting percentage of .416. OK, so the senior wasn't called to play much defense but at least he was consistent. His junior season he had 14 digs and hit that mark again this spring. For his career with the Cats, Feely finished with 194 blocks.
Anthony Fiore MundeleinTalk about making a change for the benefit of the team. This senior was a right side hitter a year ago. Fiore also knew the Mustangs lost a setter to graduation, so he took a chance. "He trained as a setter during club season,'' said Mundelein coach George Dressen. "He stepped up and ran a 5-1 offense." This captain just missed out on 500 assists this spring before finishing at 498. No. 13 for the Mustangs did not prove to be bad luck. Having this setter in the lineup led to a potent offense for Mundelein this spring.
Ian Flatley AntiochThis junior has made his presence known. Sure, the Sequoits struggled collectively, but it's wise to pay attention to this player. First of all, Flatley is concerned about his play on the defensive side of the ball. He rang up a team-high 199 digs this spring. He also led his young team in serve reception with 274. He was also the only member of Antioch to average in double figures in that category (10.5). Flatley will be back next year and should be able to help revive the Antioch program next year.
Colton Jewell LakesYes, he gave up that good weather in Florida to move up North to help this volleyball squad. Actually, the Lakes setter plays three sports at the high school. It was another successful campaign for the Eagles setter. Of course, it helps to be a 6-foot-3 setter who can also put the ball away. Now the question comes up. Will Jewell say so long to cold weather when he graduates? There is talk of some Florida schools in the picture for his future services. Stay tuned.
Jesse Kesner StevensonBefore this hitter heads out to the University of Southern California, it's worth noting he had a very strong senior season. Yes, he and Grant Maleski regularly led the Patriots with producing hitting efforts - such as Maleski 14 kills and Kesner 12 kills.This Adversity Club player helped the Patriots reach the 20-win mark. In his final match in a Stevenson uniform, the Pats (21-16) fell to Deerfield as Kesner popped in 5 kills
Jake Langlie (MundeleinAnthony Fiore, Mundelein's setter, clearly found a liking to setting this senior up for success. Langlie was named MVP of the season for the Mustangs. "He's kind of quiet,'' said Mundelein coach George Dressen. "He leads by example. He pretty much led us in everything. Like serve receive and digs." His kill total was 248 which is plenty for a team that didn't chalk up that many wins.
Grant Maleski StevensonWhat a sophomore season for Maleski. This spring his 352 kills accounted for 40 percent of the Pats' total in that category. He also topped the Pats in blocking with 40. "He started the season in his familiar position of opposite,'' said Stevenson coach Eric Goolish. "However, we moved him to the outside at about the quarter-way mark of the season. This challenged Grant by placing him in serve receive for all six rotations and middle back defense for the first time in his career." The slugger played defense and had more than 100 digs. "Throughout the season, Grant developed new shots as an outside hitter,'' Goolish said. "And improved his hitting efficiency." Goolish reports that Maleski is fully invested in the volleyball program. "He is mature beyond his years and extremely coachable,'' he said. "His appetite to learn is contagious and leadership is inviting. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to coach such a great young man."
Mike May CarmelThis might be the most dangerous left-handed hitter around. The all-conference selection in the ESCC also won the team MVP honors. "Mike is a very dynamic player,'' said Carmel coach Kevin Nylen. "He has so much power hitting from the right side, but he also has a finesse game, too.'' May managed 242 kills this season. At 6-foot-2, he managed 20 blocks. "He serve received very well for us,'' Nylen said. "And he played good back-row defense. That said, he is a very powerful player. He has the ability to take over the game offensively from the front row and the back row. What is so exciting about a player like Mike is that he is still learning the game. And we get him back for another year." May also fired off 21 aces.
Johnny McDonald Vernon HillsIt's clear this junior stepped up for the winning Cougars program this spring. He had big kills in the wins over Barrington (sectional) and O'Fallon (state). McDonald gave the Cougars great size at 6-foot-4. "He's got the attitude of a libero,'' said Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry. "Possibly our best defender but his size makes him invaluable in the front row. Nobody out-works this kid. He's the strongest kid on the team." Particularly impressive is his 214 digs. Also he helped out with 126 kills, 25 blocks and 19 aces.
Nick Meyer Lake Zurich
They kept on referring to that Lake Zurich volleyball team as a Cinderella club, a surprise in the postseason. Yes, the Bears won a regional and earned a berth in the Antioch sectional. That's when Lake Zurich nearly toppled Vernon Hills, the team that finished second in the state. Meyer's emergence late in the campaign was key. "He was an outside hitter who came into his own this year,'' said Lake Zurich coach Lesly Ravenscraft. Meyer was the outside threat to go with Nate Amos in the middle. "After working hard during the off-season, Nick was able to develop a hitting strategy that included both power kills and perfectly placed tips that caught many defenses on their heels,'' Ravenscraft said. "He averaged about 9-10 kills a match, and his blocking continued to improve as the season continued." The Bears should get another season from this potent hitter. "With another year of club volleyball, his potential for next year is unimaginable,'' she said. " Having him return as a senior leader will only increase our chances to continue our success from this year."
Zachary Schultz WarrenA good volleyball player and an even better student is one way to characterize this junior. A year removed from their second-place state finish, the Blue Devils relied on this outside hitter/right side hitter. "Zach not only worked hard on the court, but also in the classroom with a GPA of 4.32,'' said Warren coach, Yun Chen. "Early on in the season, I had a chat with Zach regarding to his hitting efficiency. Zach was hitting at .240, and he asked where we would like him to be with the hitting efficiency. I told Zach that we would like him to be around .340-.350. Zach finished the season with a hitting efficiency of .337. Zach really worked hard to seize the opportunities when he gets a set to hit and try to score a point for us." For the season, Shultz rang out 218 kills, 100 digs, 25 blocks and 16 aces. He earned all-tournament honors at the Richards Tournament this spring. "That's when we switched Zach to right side without any practice,'' Chen said. "That shows how versatile Zach is as a player."
Lem Turner Vernon HillsYes, a man playing a boy's game, or so it sometimes seemed. Turner also left his mark on the Vernon Hills record book. He holds the single-season block record (2013) and now has the career record at Vernon Hills (305). That mark is 11th in IHSA history. Ball State University can pencil this three-year starter into their lineup next year. "He's an incredible athlete,'' said Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry. "But even a better young man. Despite only every playing a single season of club ball, he became a superior player." His 557 career kills are seventh in school history. And for the good of the team, he left his spot in the middle to handle the right-side duties. "He took on the challenge of moving to the right side,'' Curry said. "Even though it wasn't familiar nor easy." His season totals are 245 kills, 89 blocks, 20 aces and 44 digs.
Kyle Zeman Carmel
His coach, Kevin Nylen, has no shortage of good words about Zeman. "Kyle is one of the most complete volleyball players I have ever been around,'' Nylen said. "His technical skill however pales in comparison to his understanding of the game." Zeman is a three-year starter for the Corsairs. This season he had 187 kills, 93 digs, 21 aces and 5 blocks. And it hasn't been easy. Zeman moved from the libero position as a sophomore to outside hitter/setter as a junior. And then he tore his ACL. He was an outside hitter in his final season. "His court vision and ability to place the ball was incredible,'' Nylen said. "It's better than almost anyone. He was a tremendous on the court presence and leader, and was the same in practice." Actually, his return from a major knee injury was something to feel proud about. "Coming back from the ACL injury in under a year, and to go on and play at the level that he played day in and day out all season long is a testament to the kind of kid he is,'' Nylen said. "I hope that our younger players saw how passionate he was and how hard he worked, because those are qualities that can't be taught."
Special mentionLibertyville: Sam Kharasch, Zac Hauser, Konnor McCormack, Grant: Brock Lundman, Jason Kaye, Tony Cantinella, Lake Zurich: Austin Keller, Tommy Orchard, Matt Carmody, Andrew Gilbertson, Mundelein: Blake Graham, Lakes: Dakota Mathez, Nick Halberg, Stevenson: Luke Feder, Carmel: Patrick Meadie, Vernon Hills: Chris Winter, Alon Polischuk, Cory Levin, Ian Thoren
Selections and profilies by Bill Pemstein