DuPage County All-Area boys volleyball team

Mason Arnold, Glenbard East

Arnold has been the ultimate utility player for the Rams. He's one of the smartest players around, he can hit from any angle and he's made himself a great setter in just two years at the position. A team captain, Arnold distributed 435 assists, scored on 196 kills and led the team with 243 digs highlighted by a 22-dig performance in the first round of the playoffs. "Mason has a great will to win," coach Marci Maier said. "He's a vocal leader on the court and during timeouts and was voted as the team's MVP."

Ross Behr, West Chicago

This 6-foot-3 senior outside is an All-Area first-teamer after being named honorable mention the past two years. Behr led the Wildcats to a 22-8 season and third place in the Upstate Eight Conference. A great leaper, his 270 kills and 45 aces were tops on the team. He has a variety of shots, great placement and he's the best defensive player and passer on the team. "He's just solid," said coach Kris Hasty. "We rely on him a lot, and in most matches he's the best player on the court."

Alex Carr, Wheaton Warrenville South

Carr is the latest in the long line of top-notch Wheaton Warrenville South setters. A two-year captain, the 6-foot tall senior is expert at executing coach Bill Schreier's game plan. He keeps opponents guessing, helping three of his hitters get more the 200 kills. "Alex is a fierce competitor who gets the big picture," Schreier said. "His demanding attitude, technique and fundamentals set the tone for the rest of the team." Carr was all-tournament at both the Tiger Classic and the Vernon Hills Invite.

Adrian Cebula, Glenbard East

Cebula is a 6-foot-1 middle hitter who is the master of good timing at the net and one of the great leapers in the area. The senior anticipates well, can see the block, he gets up quickly and can win the hand-to-hand battles at the net. He can also move outside, leading the team in kills with 198 and in blocks with 95. He's also one of the team's best in serve-receive. "Adrian is determined not to be stopped," coach Marci Maier said. "He developed into our go-to guy this year."

Parker Connelly, Downers Grove South

The Mustangs like to run their offense through the middles, and there are few middles better at turning sets into points than this 6-foot-5 senior. The stronger, faster and much-improved Connelly had 171 kills, and that combined with a team-leading 79 blocks make him one of the most complete middles in Illinois. "Parker has great footwork and quickness across the net so can close the seams," coach Kurt Steuer said. "He's a great jumper and a student of the game who is constantly making adjustments." Connelly will play at Carthage.

Felix Egharevba, Naperville Central

This dynamic 6-feet-5 junior middle hitter took a big step toward superstardom this year. He can jump out of the gym (he touches 11 feet, 7 inches) and he speeds up the pace of the Redhawks' attack with his quickness across the front line. He led the team in blocks with 59, had 153 kills and came up with 47 digs. "He raises our energy level," coach Roger Strausburger said. "His presence takes the pressure off our outside hitters and the guys feed off his upbeat personality and enthusiasm." Strausburger believes Egharevba is a future Division I player.

Sean Farmer, Glenbard West

Farmer took over as setter this year after serving behind Paulie Bischoff last year when he played mostly as a defensive specialist. The Hilltoppers didn't miss a beat, winning their third straight state title. The 6-foot-3 senior, who will play next year at UC Irvine and is the All-Area team captain, served up 868 assists but also had 137 digs, 90 kills and 34 blocks while being named MVP of three tournaments. "Sean's intelligence and his ability to make split-second decisions have gotten us a lot of points," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said.

Jack Fischer, Lake Park

This hustling outside hitter led the Lancers to the Elite Eight three years in a row. Only 6-feet-1, Fischer has amazing leaping ability, great court vision and a stunning variety of shots. Fischer, who amassed 217 kills, 21 blocks, 140 digs and 32 aces, is great technically and refuses to lose even in practice. "Our team trusts Jack to steer the ship in the right direction," coach Tim Murphy said. "He is a great all-around athlete, with good hands, good feet and great intelligence." Fischer will play volleyball at Aurora University.

Jeremy Grove, Neuqua Valley

Grove is the ultimate outside hitter with 291 kills, but he is so much more. The 6-foot-2 junior has been great defensively, coming up with 72 digs, he's a smart passer and one of the team's most vocal strategists. He was all-tournament at both the Tiger Classic and Benet Invite. "Jeremy is a quick and explosive hitter," coach Erich Mendoza said, "and he developed a wide variety of shots and can hit from all angles and from all over the court. He just has the fluid and natural movement of a good volleyball player."

Jacob Grygo, Addison Trail

This 6-foot-4 junior has grown into one of the top attacking setters in Illinois. A multisport star, Grygo is an all-conference swimmer and starting soccer goalkeeper. His 200 kills are second on the team and he had 623 assists, 150 digs, 47 blocks and 22 aces, making him statistically one of the most versatile players in Illinois. "As a hitter he has a high contact point and he mixes up his angles," coach Chad Grant said. "And as a setter he put his teammates in position to score. He is a fierce competitor and he's our catalyst."

Kevin Kauling, Neuqua Valley

Kauling is the prototype of the new breed of setter. He stands 6-foot-7 and makes the Wildcats go with 492 assists. He also led the team with 42 aces, had 45 digs and added 46 kills and 37 blocks despite missing seven matches. Only a sophomore, Kauling, who serves as a floor captain, is always aware of the flow of the game and is equally adept at setting the middle, outside or back row. "Kevin is great at making instantaneous decisions and runs an up-tempo offense," coach Erich Mendoza said. "He's quick, can leap, and he really knows the game."

Mike Legros, Downers Grove North

Legros, a 6-foot tall lefty is another great attacking setter. Besides running a successful offense with a precision that resulted in 740 assists, he is a threat to put it over himself, which he did for 54 kills. He can force a lot of 1-on-1 matchups. As a setter, he has great hands and is an outstanding decision-maker. He's also second on the team in both digs with 154 and blocks with 46. "As a captain Mike is a strong voice in the huddle in matches and at practice," coach Mark Wasik said. "He's a coach on the floor." Legros will play at Benedictine.

Brian Long, Downers Grove North

This powerful 6-foot-5 senior is the complete package as a middle hitter. He put down 226 kills, 38 blocks and led the team in aces with 28. He's quick, has a great reach, anticipates well and can read the attackers. He can take over a match with his serving. He's able to close a double block and he's rarely beaten. "Brian plays with passion," coach Mark Wasik said. "He's the prototypical leader who makes sure that his teammates are all on the same page. He can play any position at the next level." Long will play at Belmont Abbey.

Nick Martinski, Lake Park

With his long wingspan and his combination of size, speed and volleyball acumen, it's hard for opponents to keep pace with Martinski at the net. The 6-foot-7 junior middle led the Lancers in both kills with 258 and blocks with 105. A team captain as a junior, Martinski has a variety of weapons and can take over a match from his position in the middle. "He's an ideal leader on and off the court," coach Tim Murphy said. "He has a great work ethic and is a student of the game. He will earn a Division I scholarship next year."

Jack McGuire, St. Francis

As a three-year starting setter, McGuire has made all the Spartans' hitters better. And his ability as a hitter keeps the defenses on their toes. His uncanny ability to place the ball over the net made him an offensive threat. He dished out 801 assists and had 187 kills, leading the team in that category the second half of the year. The versatile 6-foot-4 McGuire also had 113 blocks. "Jack can read the defense and he gets everyone involved," coach Mike Lynch said. "And as a hitter he knows where to place the ball." McGuire will play at Dominican.

Zac Norvid, Glenbard West

The 6-foot libero covers a lot of floor and often supplies his setter with a perfect pass. In fact opponents are known to stay away from him altogether with their serves. In his second year as a starting libero Norvid came up with 252 digs. "He's smooth and calm and he gets everywhere on the court at the right time," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "He gets his hands on almost everything." Norvid will play at Pepperdine.

Trent Weber, Glenbard North

Weber is another multifaceted setter who can distribute the ball, and he's also a stalwart on both offense and defense. The 6-foot-1 senior had 589 assists, 120 kills, 57 blocks and 122 digs this year. Weber can set the tempo and does a great job of reading the play "He's been a true star for two seasons," coach Dedra DeBenedetti said. "He has great hands, he's quick and consistent, and he helps a lot with the younger kids. And his defense is huge." Weber will play at Clarke University.

Johnny Winkler, Glenbard West

As an outside hitter, the 6-foot-2 senior has everything. One of the fastest and toughest guys on the team, Winkler can hit any kind of shot and place it anywhere on the floor. He had 175 kills, 161 digs, 43 blocks and 40 aces. "Johnny is a high-energy player who doesn't take a point off," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "He's constantly touching the ball and giving us the second chances we need. And he digs up balls in the backcourt." Winkler will play at Lindenwood.

Justin Yost, Lake Park

The 6-foot-5 senior setter is the key to the Lancers' quick-tempo offense that led them to third place at state. He used the entire court, dishing out 887 assists, and his 86 kills proved he could score when necessary. His passing and defense were tops as he led the team with 326 digs and had 62 blocks. "He's adept at fooling blockers to set up 1-on-1 matchups for our hitters," coach Tim Murphy said. "He's a great strategist who is totally in tune with what we're doing offensively." He'll play at Aurora University.

Mark Zelisko, Hinsdale Central

One of the great finishers in Illinois, the 6-foot-4 Zelisko's 499 kills, almost 11 a match, helped the Red Devils to their second straight Elite Eight appearance this year. He has a knack for finding the open spots, he can mix up his shots and he can put down a kill with authority. He was also second in blocks with 44, came up with 64 digs and served for 26 aces. He's a great leader who brings intensity to the game," coach Mike Konrad said. "He has had an awesome impact on our program." Zelisko will play club volleyball at Missouri.

Honorable Mention

Addison Trail: Colton Noel, MH, sr.; Benet: Nick Crnkovich, MH, jr.; Downers Grove North: Mike Price, OH, jr.; Downers Grove South: Shawn Tischler, OH, sr., Bregin DeMarco, L. sr.; Glenbard East: Justin Murphy, OH, sr.; Glenbard North: Eric Tripp, OH, sr.; Glenbard West: Cam Lilly, RS, sr., Robbie Murphy, OH, sr.; Hinsdale Central: John Zolpe, S, jr.; Lake Park: Jordan Haigh, OH, jr. Metea Valley: Andrew Kohut, RS, jr.; Naperville Central: John Davis, OH, jr., Kyle Ramey, OH, sr.; Naperville North: Connor Sheehan, L, sr.; St. Francis: Tommy LaMantia, L, sr.; West Chicago: Elijah Pinkevich, OH, sr.; Wheaton North: Daniel Duggan, MH, jr.; Wheaton Warrenville South: Luke Robbins, OH, sr.; York: Michael Pennel, MH, sr.