Boys volleyball: Northwest all-area team

Josh Babicz BarringtonOne of the top middles in the state, Babicz earned the most kills (227) this year than any other middle player in coach Rob Ridenour's career. "He was the most dominant player in the area," said Ridenour. "Most impressively, he continued to make huge leaps every season as a player even though he was a three-year varsity starter because of his amazing work ethic. We are definitely going to miss him next year." Babicz finished the year with a .480 hitting percentage to go along with 111 blocks.

Kevin Braceros Elk Grove

Braceros capped a stellar career for the Grenadiers with an awesome 2017. He not only hit with authority (578-of-693 with 280 kills), he was outstanding all-around posting numbers of 28 aces, 303 serve receptions with a 2.57 ratio, 267 digs and 27 blocks. "Kevin was a three year starter on varsity," said Grens coach Dan Windholz, "and was all-conference the last two seasons. He's probably the most complete player I've ever coached. Kevin could play any position on the floor and his knowledge of the game and skill technique allowed him to do well against taller competition during a tough schedule." Braceros will attend Erskine College in South Carolina on a volleyball scholarship.

Tim Breiter ConantBreiter was a dynamic hitter for the Cougars - he finished this season with 243 kills - but his influence extended to so many more areas for the program this year. "Tim was not only a player but basically an assistant coach as well," said Conant coach JC Brown." He always worked hard to improve his game, while helping other players improve theirs as well." The senior also played some middle this year and 26 blocks, not to mention 31 aces. "Tim became a mentor to a lot of guys on our team," added Brown, "and he was absolutely our go-to player." Breiter will continue his volleyball career in the fall at Aurora University.

Matt Cooper PalatineCooper was stellar on the stat sheet for the Pirates this season, but it was his leadership ability that most impressed coach Frank Stark. "He truly stepped up as a leader this year on a very young team," said Stark. "In this way he became a much better competitor and I felt the positive results in his leading the team in kill efficiency." Cooper had 55 blocks on the year to go along with 169 kills. "I challenged Matt in many ways and he truly stepped up to all of the challenges in a huge way."

Robert Elem LeydenIt was the emergence of Elem as a key player in the Leyden attack this year that led the Eagles to a regional championship title. "It's Robert's first year starting," said Leyden coach Michelle Mueller earlier in the year, "and he's filled a big role for us. Passing, serving, hitting, he's done a nice job. He can do it all." Elem, who will be the cornerstone for the Eagles team next year, slammed 134 kills on the season, passed at 2.1 in serve receive and averaged 8 digs and 2 blocks a match. "Robert was a great passer as well as a strong offensive weapon for us," said Mueller. "I am really looking forward to the leadership he will bring to our team next year."

Nick Garth St. ViatorGarth fought through an injury this year to become one of the area's most dominant middles. "He had to overcome an ankle injury at the beginning of the season," said Lions assistant coach Kate Zydlo, "and he proved that he could step up and give the team energy during crucial points in our matches." Garth earned 110 kills and 31 blocks with 5 blocks assists overall. "His athleticism caused him to be a focal member of our offense," added Zydlo. "He had the most blocks on our team for conference games."

Daniel Ham Hoffman EstatesHam excelled in all areas, whether on the defensive side, at the service line or with his tremendous leadership abilities. "He's been the team leader in defense the last two years," said Hawks coach Daniel Hutton. "This year he recorded 317." Ham also finished the year with a stellar 94 percent serve percentage. "Daniel is a very consistent player," said Hutton. "He will be truly missed next year and I hope that the younger athletes he mentored this year learned from his hard work and dedication to the Hoffman Estates volleyball program."

Justin Hong HerseyThere might not be a better libero in the state of Illinois than Hong. "He's broken two school dig records this season," said Huskies coach Nancy Lill, "and his enthusiasm and passion for the game is apparent with his play. He's relentless on defense and is an unbelievable passer - the ball rarely hit the floor with Justin back there." Hong finished with 584 digs on the year, a 2.51 serve receive ratio, and 33 aces with his jump-serve.

Matt Hopkins HerseyThe return of Hopkins from serious injury helped fuel the Hersey run to the Elite Eight this year. "Lucky for the Huskies he came back," said Hersey coach Nancy Lill. "He is a difference-maker with his dominant swing and solid block. He was instrumental for us making it to state, and we are thankful that he finished the season healthy." Despite missing some playing time the senior still had 145 kills with a .550 hitting efficiency, 55 blocks, 42 digs and 19 aces.

Kevin Lee Maine West"Kevin was our go-to scorer," said Warriors coach Randy Tiller. The statistics definitely bear out Tiller's words as Lee hit 223 kills on the year, to go along with 25 service points. "He led the team through his actions," added Tiller. "His kills energized the team and raised the level of play of his teammates. I can just point to the example of his play against (rival) Maine East - it was the 12 kills he had against them that led our three set match. It was his leadership that made the second set win possible."

Jake Mailloux HerseyMailloux was the go-to hitter for the powerful Huskies attack this year. He had a team-leading 270 kills, but also played great defense (55 digs) and was superb on the block with 55. "Jake has the ability to just take over a match," said Huskies coach Nancy Lill. "He hits over most opponents and his strong swing has been a nightmare for them. He is constantly working hard on his game - watch out for him next year as he takes his game to an even higher level."

Curtis McLennan PalatineOne of the top sophomores in the Mid-Suburban League (and already a two-year varsity standout), McLennan was a force to be reckoned with, earning a consistent 159 kills to go along with 152 digs, serving 92 percent with 24 aces and finishing with a 2.11 S/R percentage. "Curtis never came off the court for us," said Pirates coach Frank Stark. "He is one of the smartest volleyball players on the team and really is looked up to as a leader, and nothing every phased him in the games. He's very level headed and a great teammate."

Daniel Morton St. ViatorAttack - serve receive - passing - serving - defense . . . Morton could do it all. "He is our quiet but confident team captain," said Viator assistant coach Kate Zydlo. "Danny was our biggest offensive player from both the outside and the back row, his jump serves were highly effective, and his serve receive and defensive passing is without a doubt above average." Morton ended the season with 339 kills and 159 digs. "He excelled," said Zydlo, "in both conference and nonconference games."

Joe Nugent HerseyA team-leading 121 blocks and the impact that he had in matches led Nugent to a superlative season. "Joe has worked very hard to become a great blocker," said Huskies coach Nancy Lill. "He's provided great swings out of the middle as well. He was a complete player at the net, and when Matt (Hopkins) was out due to injury, Joe stepped up his game and just kept getting better and better. We'll be lucky to have him back for one more season as he continues to dominate at the net."

Johnny O'Shea PalatinePalatine coach Frank Stark said that O'Shea, a three-sport athlete, was the MVP of the Pirates this season. O'Shea's talents especially came to the forefront in the playoffs as he led his team to a big regional win. "Johnny is the best all-around athlete I have ever coached," said Stark, "as well as the most exciting competitor. He is a phenomenal student, friend and son. This kid is really something special and I promise you we will be hearing more and more about him." O'Shea excelled this year with 269 kills, 25 aces, 59 blocks and 291 digs.

Michael O'Toole BarringtonBroncos coach Rob Ridenour said O'Toole made a big jump from his sophomore season to this year's campaign. "Michael had an unbelievable year," said Ridenour. "He's one of the most improved players we've ever had from year to year." O'Toole was ultra-consistent with 199 kills, 185 digs, a 2.24 serve receive score and 46 blocks. "He was our top all-around player this year and his skill set is vast," added Ridenour. "Michael is a great leader and we can't wait to see what he can accomplish next year."

Aaron Peterson FremdPeterson delivered 189 kills, tops for the Vikings this year, while taking sets from his brother Jacob, also an all-area player. "Those two were an imposing duo," said Fremd coach Curt Pinley. Peterson also finished with a .298 hitting efficiency. "Opponents knew he was our primary attacker," said Pinley, "yet he was still able to be successful. Aaron played all-around and was one of our leaders in serve receive and serving percentage. He'll be a strong cornerstone to build upon next season."

Jacob Peterson Fremd"Jacob is a force and a leader on the floor," said Vikings coach Curt Pinley of the junior's stellar season. "He was our assist leader (222) and was also third on the team in block kills." The best thing for Pinley is that Peterson is returning for another year. "As this season progressed," said Pinley, "he played all the way around, swinging opposite, and he and his brother (Aaron) posed a real threat to the opposition. With his strong work ethic and his passion for the game, we will look to him as our floor leader next year."

Marc Quezada Rolling MeadowsQuezada's effort on defense in 2017, and over his four-year career has made a tremendous impact on the Mustangs program. "Marc has shown our future defensive players that a back row player's responsibility goes far beyond simply passing," said Meadows coach Kevin Bourn. "We would not have been nearly as successful as we have been without the steady flow of his quality passes and digs that allow us to activate our in-system offense, combined with his aces and the back-row setting he has provided." The senior finished the year with 415 digs, a 2.30 serve receive average, 23 aces and 77 setting assists.

Logan Reese Rolling Meadows\Meadows coach Kevin Bourn didn't mince words in describing what Reese meant to his team this year. "Simply put," said Bourn, "he's one of the top players in the (Mid-Suburban League) conference and in the area. He is definitely the best attacker on our team. This year he committed to developing a variety of attacks, not just hitting high and hitting hard, and it paid off in a big way." Reese's 225 season kills just about doubled the next highest total for a Mustang player, and he also served 46-of-51 with 3 aces and had 48 digs.

Vince Reisel HerseyReisel was like "having a coach on the floor" in 2017, per Hersey coach Nancy Lill. "Vince has the perfect qualities for a setter," added Lill. "Great hands, intelligence, great leadership ability, and outstanding decision-making." The senior had 1005 assists to help the Huskies state playoff run, and also hit 42 kills, had 41 blocks and 180 digs. "Vince is one of the top setters in the state," said Lill. "They key to our potent offense was the way Vince was able to bring out the best in each of his hitters. He was a huge reason for our success this season."

Matthew Schiferl WheelingSchiferl's amazing talent, according to Wildcats coach Jason Kopkowski, "is exceeded only by his passion for the sport and his competitive spirit." The senior led Wheeling to 21 season wins by serving 35 aces, earning 456 digs and passing with a 2.39 rating. "His leadership on the court was second to none," added Kopkowski. "It was incredible to watch Matt play as he would know what the attacker was going to do before he did it, making impossible defensive plays look quite ordinary." Schiferl will continue his career in the fall at Augustana.

Chris Tsourmas Buffalo GroveTsourmas was an impact player for the Bison in 2017 and also a star in the classroom. "His success on the court is coupled with great academic achievements," said BG coach Tim Kosiek. "Chris is the president of the National Honor Society, participated in many extracurricular activities, and was involved in a variety of community service opportunities." His success in the athletic arena was no less stellar as the senior swatted 190 kills, had a serving efficiency of over 90 percent with 15 aces, and had 28 blocks. "His serving was consistent," added Kosiek, "his serve receive was solid and his outside attack was notably his strength. As a leader, he spent hours watching film and studying his opponents looking for ways to improve."

Ian Van Wazer Buffalo GroveVan Wazer hit the 200-kill mark for BG this year in an outstanding campaign on attack, but the senior's mark on the Bison was so much more than that. "Ian is solid in every aspect of the game," said BG coach Tim Kosiek. "He has demonstrated outstanding knowledge of the game, and this led to his dynamic hitting on all areas of the court - and his commitment to volleyball is year-round." The senior was especially in synch from the service line with 32 aces, and also had 22 blocks. "Beyond the court," said Kosiek, "he has been an outstanding student and has been involved in community work. Ian will leave a lasting impact (on the program)."

Stephen Wanca BarringtonBroncos coach Rob Ridenour called Wanca "the rock for our team this year," which sure makes sense as the senior had a whopping 404 digs in becoming one of the area's best defensive players. "Stephen is a volleyball fanatic," said Ridenour. "He continued to improve each year. This season, he was taking a tremendous amount of first-contact responsibility. He has a high volleyball IQ by playing and watching volleyball every chance he gets. His will to be a great player is a tremendous example for our younger kids."

Josh Babicz Barrington Senior Middle Hitter

Kevin Braceros Elk Grove Senior Outside Hitter

Tim Breiter Conant Senior Outside Hitter

Matt Cooper Palatine Senior Middle

Robert Elem Leyden Junior Outside Hitter

Nick Garth St. Viator Senior Middle

Daniel Ham Hoffman Estates Senior Libero

Justin Hong Hersey Senior Libero

Matt Hopkins Hersey Senior Middle Blocker

Kevin Lee Maine West Senior Outside Hitter

Jake Mailloux Hersey Junior Outside Hitter

Curtis McLennan Palatine Soph. Outside Hitter

Daniel Morton St. Viator Senior Outside Hitter

Mike Motyka* Leyden Senior Setter

Joe Nugent Hersey Junior Middle Blocker

Johnny O'Shea Palatine Junior Outside Hitter

Michael O'Toole Barrington Junior Outside Hitter

Aaron Peterson Fremd Junior Outside Hitter

Jacob Peterson Fremd Junior Setter

Marc Quezada Rolling Meadows Senior Libero

Logan Reese Rolling Meadows Senior Outside Hitter

Vince Reisel Hersey Senior Setter

Matthew Schiferl Wheeling Senior Libero

Chris Tsourmas Buffalo Grove Senior Outside Hitter/RS

Ian Van Wazer Buffalo Grove Senior Outside Hitter

Stephen Wanca Barrington Senior Libero

* - all-area team captain

Honorable mentionBarrington: Evan Carroll, Jacob Werner

Buffalo Grove: Greg Schneider

Fremd: Martin Michalski

Hersey: Patrick O'Brien, Camran Saeed, Christian Castro

Leyden: Roman Sydorchuk

Maine West: Jack Collins

Palatine: Connor Nix, Ben Rinella

Prospect: Josh Kern

Rolling Meadows: Kyle Kornblum

St. Viator: Pat Doherty, Ben Whalen

Schaumburg: Andrew Norris

Wheeling: Michael Lechowicz

Selections and profiles by Bill Esbrook