The DuPage County All-Area boys volleyball team
Paulie Bischoff, Glenbard West
The captain of the All-Area team, Bischoff was the "quarterback" for the state champion Hilltoppers. The junior setter dished out 733 assists and added 70 kills and 130 digs. At 6-feet-4 he's an asset at the net. "He brings out the best in every player," said coach Christine Giunta-Mayer. "He's never intimidated, he betters every ball and he never gives up." Bischoff is also a top-notch student with a 5.2 GPA.
Jack Burton, Naperville Central
One of Illinois' dominant hitters, Burton had 453 kills this year and a school-record 1,124 on the varsity. The 6-feet-4 senior served 74 aces and he came up with 123 digs and had 35 blocks. He can hit from the back row and can adjust his swing to find the opening on the other side. "Jack has the ability to take over a match with his powerful kills and with his awesome jump-serve," said Redhawks coach Roger Strausburger. Burton will attend Grand Canyon University.
Alex Dickmann, Addison Trail
Dickmann's 1,438 varsity kills rank him second in Illinois history. This 6-foot-3 three-year All-Area hitter led the Blazers to a third-place finish at state. A great leaper and outstanding leader, Dickmann has been an Addison Trail captain for three years. He added 483 kills this year and excelled at serving and defense. "Alex has been technically sound from day one," said Blazers coach Chad Grant. "Most teams know where the ball is going, and they key on him, but he still puts it away." Dickmann will attend IPFW.
Brandon Gorzela, Glenbard North
Gorzela, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, more than makes up for his modest height with quickness, jumping ability, aggressiveness, intelligence and versatility. He's the whole package on the court with a team-leading 272 kills, 189 digs, 20 blocks and 17 aces. As a hitter he has a quick arm swing and great court vision. "Brandon is consistent, he's a leader and he gives up his body for the team," said Glenbard North coach Dedra DeBenedetti.
John Hildebrand, Wheaton Warrenville South
An All-Area libero last year, Hildebrand switched to outside hitter as a senior and was again a standout. The 6-footer was second on the Tigers in kills with 255. He had more than 300 digs and led the team with 30 aces. "John's ability to understand defensive positioning helps him place shots on offense," coach Bill Schreier said. "He's a dynamic hitter from both the front and back," Hildebrand will attend Arizona State.
Michael Jennings Naperville North
A 6-foot-4 tower of power on the outside, Jennings hits the ball with such authority that his coaches swear it just sounds different when he makes contact. The athletic junior's 275 kills were tops in the Huskies balanced offense. He also led the team in aces with 21 and was second in digs with 167. "Michael steps up big in the big matches," coach Nate Bornancin said, "and his enthusiasm is infectious to his teammates."
Scott Kleiser, Benet
This three-year starter is the ultimate team guy who excels wherever he's needed. Formerly an outside, the 6-foot-2 senior went to the middle this year where his great reflexes, quick feet and good movement to the ball made him a standout for the Redwings. He put down 228 kills and had 81 blocks. He made several all-tournament teams. "Scott is a smart young man who can play any position," coach Amy Van Eekeren said. "He's a calming force and keeps everyone focused."
Kyler Kotsakis, Glenbard West
Kotsakis, a 6-foot-4 junior lefty is the best right side hitter in the state, a dynamic kill guy who blocks like a middle hitter. His 217 kills led the state champion Hilltoppers, and he had 42 blocks and 138 digs. "He controls the tempo of every game," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "Kyler is the most determined player I've ever known. His contributions on defense have been a major factor in the team's success."
Brian McKissick, Neuqua Valley
McKissick has been "Mr Steady" for the Wildcats the past two years. With 226 kills and 68 blocks the solid 6-foot-4 middle hitter dominates the net with his power, speed and keen knowledge of the game. "He's one of the best blockers we've ever had," said Wildcats coach Erich Mendoza. "He gets off the ground quickly and he makes himself available as an offensive option." McKissick, a team captain, was voted MVP by his teammates. He'll attend Illinois.
Zach Meyer, Wheaton Warrenville South
His great leaping and his talent for seeing the see the block and getting on the ball quickly make Meyer a special player. The 6-foot-4 junior led his team with 364 kills, and his numbers also include 132 digs, 31 blocks and 27 aces. "His ability to handle the offensive pressure opens opportunities for his teammates," said Tigers coach Bill Schreier. "His all-around game has really grown in the past three years. We look forward to having him back next year."
Kyle Murphy, Lake Park
Murphy blossomed as a senior when he added variety to his already-potent attacking skills. The 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter, a great leaper, developed into a key guy in the Lancers ball-control game. "He has learned the nuances of the game," said Lake Park coach Tim Murphy. "He has good vision, he's scrappy, he makes good decisions and he's an asset to our back row defense." Kyle had 350 kills and 250 digs. He will play volleyball at Lincoln College.
Kian Peterson Hinsdale Central
A great athlete, this 6-foot-3 senior setter has soft hands, understands the game, knows how to use his hitters and delivers the ball from any angle. As a front-row hitter Peterson commands the opposition's respect. He amassed 712 assists, 72 kills, 115 digs and a team-leading 35 blocks. "His skills allow us to run an up-tempo offense," coach Mike Konrad said. "Kian makes all his teammates better. He has been a pleasure to coach."
Jonathan Poortinga, Downers Grove North
This three-year starting senior middle led the Trojans in blocks with 49 and also had 199 kills with a .390 kill efficiency. At 6-feet-7 he can go over the block for the kill, and he's agile enough to close blocks left and right. "We can also run him on the right-side attack because he's so versatile," said Trojans coach Mark Wasik. "Poortinga is our most powerful hitter, has a high ceiling and he'll become more physical as he develops in college." He'll play volleyball for North Central.
Andrew Salmon, Waubonsie Valley
This two-time all-conference senior libero was a veteran bright spot on a young Warriors team. The 5-foot-9 Salmon, using great quickness and anticipation, came up with 429 digs and excelled as a passer and from the service line. "He's very intelligent, he has no fear and his defense kept us in many matches," said Warriors coach Al Lagger. "He covered most of the court and he never got aced. He's as good a libero as there is."
Mark Schuessler, Benet
The 6-foot-7 senior outside hitter was impossible to defend, as evidenced by his 457 kills, including 31 against Wheaton Warrenville South and 27 against Glenbard East. But there's so much more to his game. He's an excellent defender, passer and he has a killer jump-serve. He had 131 digs, 43 aces and 29 blocks. Schuessler was MVP of the Benet Tournament. "He's simply one of the best in the state," said Benet coach Amy Van Eekeren. He'll attend Xavier.
Parker Swartz, Glenbard West
A co-captain on the state-champion Hilltoppers, the 6-foot-5 senior middle hitter is a leader and a student of the game. He put down 163 kills, led the team with 92 blocks, and served 42 aces. "Parker rarely gets blocked," said coach Christine Giunta-Mayer. "If we're in trouble our focus is to get Parker the ball." Swartz is great from the service line and he dives everywhere for the ball. He's a terrific communicator on the court. He'll play volleyball at Ball State.
Ben Symonds, Glenbard East
Symonds, the fearless 6-foot-1 senior libero, has been all-DuPage Valley Conference and Glenbard East's MVP two years in a row. He's versatile and mentally tough and has excelled when filling in as an outside hitter. The team leader again with 425 digs, Symonds usually knows where the ball is going and he's quick to get there. His lethal jump-serve has taken many foes out of system. "He's one of the best defenders we've ever had," coach Marci Maier said. He will attend Lindenwood College.
Nick Symonds, Glenbard East
When Glenbard East needed a kill, the 6-foot-1 outside hitter was the guy the Rams went to. His 255 kills led the team and he also had 165 digs and 17 blocks. He's both a power and a finesse player who can mix things up on offense. Many of his kills are out of the back row. "Nick has great court sense, the ability to see the block and hit the seams around the block," coach Marci Maier said. "He's a dynamic player." Nick will attend Missouri.
Will Tischler, Downers Grove South
The 6-foot-7 Tischler has been one of the dominant outside hitters in Illinois for the past two years. He led the young Mustangs with 338 kills, giving him 800 on the varsity. He also came up with 170 digs, 40 blocks and 46 aces. "With his length, reach and ability, you couldn't ask for a better player," coach Kurt Steuer said. "He can hit any kind of ball and place it wherever he wants. He's also a valuable player on defense." Tischler will play for national champion Loyola.
Jake Wendell, York
The high-flying 6-foot-2 junior co-captain led the Dukes in kills with 275 and also brought a strong defensive and passing game. He has great hands on serve-receive. A consistent outside hitter with a variety of shots, Wendell can put the ball away from anywhere on the court. His high volleyball IQ takes him to another level. "Jake is a hard worker and one of the smartest players I've coached," said York coach Ken Dowdy.
Honorable mention
Ross Behr, West Chicago, OH, so.; Ryan Condon, Glenbard West, L, sr.; Adam Eboli, Glenbard East, MH, sr.; Ben Hamsho, Wheaton North, OH, jr.; Blake Heitmann, Lake Park, L, sr.; Kolbie Knorr, Wheaton Warrenville South, L, sr.; Bobby Krissinger, York, OH , jr.; Ben Mazza, Benet, S, jr.; Jackson Nagle, Glenbard West, OH, sr.; Austin Neace, Neuqua Valley, OH, sr.; Phil Olszewski, Naperville North, L, sr.; Timmy Pisarski, St. Francis, OH/S, jr.; Kevin Prazak, Naperville Central, S, sr.; Jake Regnery, Hinsdale Central, OH, sr.; Liam Reidy, Downers Grove North, OH, sr.; Scott Schlacks, Glenbard North, OH, sr.; Jack Vrchota, Addison Trail, MH, sr.; Ryan Wakely, Willowbrook, OH, sr.; Ian Walsh, Willowbrook, MH, jr.; Tom Wieland, Metea Valley, OH, sr.