Scouting Fox Valley boys volleyball
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Bob Schwantz (first year)
Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)
Last year: 21-10
Top returning players: seniors David Banks (MH), Upesh Desai (DS/L), Alex Harris (S), Nick Obrzud (RS), Bryan Sanchez (OH)
Top newcomers: juniors John Blum (MH), Mike Gulczynski (OH), Christian Quintanilla (DS/L)
Outlook: The Hawks intend to compete on the strength of three-year setter Alex Harris, the hitting of seniors David Banks, Bryan Sanchez and Nick Obrzud, the back-row play of senior Upesh Desai, and the skill of emerging sophomore Mike Gulczynski. A Sports Performance volleyball club-trained player, the 6-foot-3 Gulczynski is opening eyes with his leaping ability and all-around play. “He’s only a sophomore and he’s out of control,” said first-year coach Bob Schwantz, who previously coached girls and boys teams of various levels at Streamwood and South Elgin. “He’s a lot of fun to watch play.” The Hawks got off to an 0-3 start, largely because they are a “MASH unit” in the early going, according to their coach. Junior middle John Blum has an ankle injury, which may force Obzbrud to man the middle in his place. And libero Christian Quintanilla could be lost for the season after injuring his shoulder in warm-ups before a recent match at St. Charles North. Nevertheless, the new coach expects his team to be competitive. “These guys are hungry,” said Schwantz, who teaches at South Elgin. “A lot of them were on the team that lost in the regional championship game last year, and they want to get back. We have to make it happen with a lot of seniors.”
Elgin Maroons
Coach: Scott Stewart (second year)
Conference: Upstate Eight (River)
Last year: 10-26
Top returning players: seniors Omar Ceballos (DS), Angel Hernandez (S), Elrich Keophilalay (RS), juniors Brendon Geils (L), Keith Turner (MH)
Top newcomers: seniors Hugo Delapaz (OH), Jorge Delgado (OH), Rob Fulton (RS), Greg Gardner (MB); juniors Anuj Chokshi (DS), Joe DeBrocke (OH), Charlie Wiltgen (DS)
Outlook: The burgeoning Elgin boys volleyball program seeks to build on last year’s program record of 10 victories with experienced setter Angel Hernandez, hard hitters in athletic seniors Omar Ceballos and Elrich Keophilalay and an improved back row. Because 26 freshmen have flooded into the program, Elgin will put a freshman B team on the floor for the first time since the boys volleyball program’s inception in 1999. The varsity is fortified by the return of junior middle Keith Turner and junior libero Brendon Geils. Height is a team shortcoming; Turner is the tallest Maroon at 6-foot-3. Only two other teammates are 6-0 or taller, but their coach believes their overall experience could carry Elgin to its best season to date. “We are looking to build upon the successes we had last year and have back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins for the first time in program history,” Elgin coach Scott Stewart said. “We’re looking to be more competitive in the tournaments we’re in and, hopefully, take first place this year in the Waukegan Tourney.” The Maroons took second at Waukegan last year. They’ll try to improve on that finish on May 5. “I think we will be one of the stronger teams in our division this year,” Stewart said. “We played really well against everyone last year when trying to finish matches. I believe we’ll be able to do that this year.”
Larkin Royals
Coach: Henry Graack (fifth year)
Conference: Upstate Eight (River)
Last year: 3-27
Top returning players: seniors Dylan Martinez (OH)
Top newcomers: junior Trey Ridings (OH/MH)
Outlook: The Royals aim to improve their win total this season, led by senior Dylan Martinez. The athletic 5-9 outside hitter was an all-UEC River honorable mention pick last season. He led the Royals in digs (44), passer rating (2.2), aces (11) and ace percentage (. 290). He also notched 20 kills in conference play. He’ll be joined by promising 6-2 junior hitter Trey Ridings. The Royals don’t have much height, according to their coach, but they possess a great attitude and a hunger to improve in the close matches, not a Larkin strong point last year. “Our chemistry seems really solid,” Larkin coach Henry Graack said. “Everyone is working very hard to improve and stay positive. We have some issues to take care of in the beginning of the season, but by midseason I expect to be competing with every team we face. With a little more work on serve-receive and defensive positioning, I think we can be a .500 team in conference.” The Royals went 1-4 in the UEC River last season. “We have lost too many close games the past few seasons, and I believe this is the team that can turn it around.”
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Adam Plach (fourth year)
Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)
Top returning players: seniors Trevor Aguiniga (OH), Mario Salas (MH)
Top newcomers: sophomores Chris Gibaldo (S), Dan Gibaldo (MH), Nate Marotta (OH)
Outlook: The Storm return three varsity players, only one starter: senior outside hitter Trevor Aguiniga (OH). He’ll be counted on offensively, as will emerging standout Nate Marotta. A sophomore, Marotta played varsity tight end and linebacker for the football team last fall. He plays elite-level club volleyball for Sports Performance and was already voted a team captain by his peers. “That says a lot about a sophomore,” South Elgin coach Adam Plach said. “He’ll play outside mostly and some right side. We’re definitely looking for a lot out of him.” Sophomore middle hitter Dan Gibaldo has club experience and will start in the middle. Sophomore Chris Gibaldo and junior Jake Dineen are the team’s setters. Not all starting positions have been solidified yet. Who will see time at the libero position is still an open question entering today’s tournament at Argo. “We have a couple of spots set, but we’re looking to see who will fill roles like libero, which is an open competition right now. We’re seeing who can pass the ball most consistently. We’re also looking to see who the other outside hitter and right-side hitter will be. We’re not as senior heavy as were last year, but I thought we underachieved a bit. I told this year’s group our potential might not be as high as last year, but if we realize the potential we have we could do better than we did last year.”
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Lisa Vazzana (second year)
Conference: 11-16
Top returning players: Ryan Bellamy (MH/RS), Daniel Nevarez (DS/L)
Top newcomers: senior Nisarg Patel (MH); juniors Ralph Burgos (S), Lester Dela Cruz (RS/OH), Nathan McCoy (MH/RS), Shameet Patel (MH/OH), Patrick Seger (MH), Austin Wohlhart (OH), Primal Zyas (S); sophomores Martin Blancas (S/RS), Quin Enno (MH), Phil Lewy (OH)
Outlook: The Sabres graduated nine of the 11 players responsible for 11 wins last season, thus, coach Lisa Vazzana has plenty of position decisions to make. Three sophomores have been elevated to the varsity after playing freshman-level volleyball last year. They younger players will look to senior Ryan Bellamy for leadership. The team’s only club-trained player, the 6-foot-5 hitter can play the middle or right side. “He’s improved a lot since last year,” Vazzana said. “He’s definitely a lot quicker offensively, and his defense is good so he’ll play all the way around this year.” Defensive specialist Daniel Navarez, a junior, takes over the libero position last year. He played varsity as a sophomore and has become far more vocal in his second season, according to his coach. Junior Primal Zyas returns from an injury to share time at setter with junior Ralph Burgos. Phil Lewy is a sophomore who will play all the way around. Many others will be learning on the job. “My goal is to get a lot these guys used to varsity play, especially with three sophomores,” Vazzana said. “They are still learning the game. They aren’t yet used to the tempo. They’ll have to learn A’s and B’s and slides and tandems, things they’ve never seen and never played against. It’s definitely going to be a learning process, but they’re hungry to learn and they’ve done a good job stepping up so far.”
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: Josh Landers (second year)
Conference: Northeast Athletic Conference 0-16
Last year: 0-16
Top returning players: senior Eric Martin (RH/L), sophomore Logan Hopp (L/OH)
Top newcomers: senior Aaron Asen (OH/M); juniors Travis Battle (LH/L), Aaron Wiewel (S); sophomores Michael Franco (S), Jared Miller (RS/MH), Nate Sunday (MH); freshman Robert Kleczynski (MH)
Outlook: The Warriors return just two seniors and two juniors from a team that didn’t taste victory last season, but things are looking up for the growing boys volleyball program with four sophomores and athletic freshman Robert Kleczynski joining the squad. Second-year coach Josh Landers, a teacher at Westminster Christian, is hoping the team can win some matches this season to keep the interest building. “A big part of this season will be building chemistry for not only this year but for the future,” Landers said. “A big part of my job is to get more athletes to buy into the program so we can build it into another sport our school can be proud of.” Senior Eric Martin is the team’s most experienced outside hitter. Sophomore Logan Hopp played setter last year as a freshman, but he’ll lend his leadership skills to the team this season as a hitter and defender. Junior Aaron Wiewel, a basketball player, will set for the Warriors. Athletic senior Josh Beachler was on the roster, but a recent ankle sprain will keep him from competing in a second sport; he also runs track in the spring. Landers would like to see his team present a stiffer challenge for its opponents compared to a year ago. “My hope this year is to compete in all the games we play,” he said. “A lot of times last year we beat ourselves and not getting any wins was a bit discouraging. We’ll approach this season with a high level of organization and make it so we have confidence in one another.”