Scouting DuPage County boys volleyball
Top teams: Glenbard West, Lake Park, Hinsdale Central, Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central, Benet.
Top players: Addison Trail: Jacob Grygo, S, sr.; Benet: Nick Crnkovich, MH, sr.; Tommy Kmieciak, S, sr.; John Folts, OH, sr. Downers Grove North: Mike Price, OH, sr.; Owen Wahlgren, MH, sr.; Joe Martens, OH, jr.; Downers Grove South: Caleb Minnis, RS, sr.; Jack Tischler, OH, jr.; Fenton: Freddie Bajo, RS, sr.; Andrew Hill, S/RS, sr.; Alexis Rodriguez, MH, sr.; Adam Gebala, MH, jr.; Jacek Gebala, OH, so.; Glenbard East: Carson Brandt, RS, jr.; Matt Smith, OH, sr.; Peter Surlina, L, sr.; Glenbard North: Sanchit Khaitan, S, sr.; Ian Krohn, OH/MH, jr.; Jared Fajardo, OH, sr.; Graham Gleason, MH, jr.; Glenbard West: J.T. Ardell, MH, sr.; Stone Metz, OH, sr.; Ryan Swartz, OH, jr.; Henry Curtis, S, jr.; Benny Harrington, OH, so.; Hinsdale Central: John Zolpe, S, sr.; Nick Tienken, MH, sr.; Cal Snyder, OH, jr.; Hinsdale South: Zach Zelenik, S, sr.; Jacob Kuczaty, OH, sr.; Lake Park: Nick Martinski, MH, sr.; Jordan Haigh, OH, sr.; Austin Bayner;, MH, sr.; Bob Sampson, S, sr.; Metea Valley: Andrew Kohut, OH, sr.; Matt Nealon, S, sr.; Tim Medina, L, sr.; Montini: Charlie Woods, RS, sr.; Drew Vogrin, S, sr.; Christian Navas, MH, sr.; Myles Marcyniak, L, so.; Naperville Central: Felix Egharevba, MH, sr.; John Davis, OH sr.; Tim Folliard, S, sr.; Tanner Stefani, RS, sr.; Naperville North: John Jaworski, S/OH/L, jr.; Chase Olson, MB, sr.; Neuqua Valley: Jeremy Grove, OH, sr.; Kevin Kauling, S, jr.; Francisco Comas, L, sr.; Jeremy Cardenas, MH, jr.; St. Francis: Marcus Ingold, OH, jr.; Bryce Walker, MH, so.; Waubonsie Valley: Elliot Myong, L, sr.; Jonah Weisler, MH, sr.; Chris Breuer, OH, sr.; Jack Genzer, S, sr.; West Chicago: Caleb Kulesza, MH/RS, jr.; Tommy Enger, L, sr.; Matt Dupasquier, OH/DS, sr.; Wheaton North: Daniel Duggan, MH, sr.; Nick Sinn, L, sr.; Paxton Kocher, MH sr.; Benett Schreiner, RS, jr.; Wheaton Warrenville South: Zeo Meyer, S/RS, so.; Chase Keating, OH, jr.; Josh Gottlieb, OH, so.; Willowbrook: Tim Keefe, OH, sr.; Buddy Martens, L, sr.; Nick Cookingham S, sr.; York: Ryan Schaner, S, sr.; Matt Howlett, OH, sr.; Patrick Resing, MH, jr.
Outlook: There is no doubt that boys high school volleyball continues to experience growth in the western suburbs of Chicago. Many high school coaches in DuPage County report record numbers of boys at tryouts, and most coaches have seen a growing number of their guys playing year-round club volleyball.
While Glenbard West has dominated the local scene, winning the past three state championships, many high school coaches believe they have the talent and the depth to challenge the Hilltoppers for court supremacy. And others have seen their teams improve to a point where they'll be competitive in the postseason and be in a position to challenge the big guys in the future.
The Hilltoppers are expected to continue their consistent excellence even though they graduated most of the cast that brought home the third straight title. Ardell, a 6-9 middle, and Metz are the only returnees from the regular playing rotation, but they're a good place to start as Glenbard West will need to work extra hard this year to get back to within striking distance of their past glories. Ardell, headed to Pepperdine, is a truly dominating middle hitter. Metz is the consummate utility man who will jump in and excel wherever he's needed. Coach Christine Giunta-Mayer hopes Metz will be able to settle into one position. The key to this season could be setter Curtis, who stood out for the JV team the past two years. He is the heir to a position that has been filled by two of the best ever during the three year title run, Paulie Bischoff for two years and then last year by Ryan Farmer. Bischoff was the Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Captain the first two years, and Farmer received that honor in 2017. "Farmer worked with Curtis a lot," Giunta-Mayer said. "Curtis has that same calm demeanor as the other two. He's a scrappy defender as well as providing on-the-mark sets." The coach said that everyone on this year's team is aware of the enormity of the task if the Hilltoppers are to make it four in a row. "They know they have the potential," she said. "But we have to stay consistent and make sure that we fight for every point. We will be learning how to be a winning team one game at a time. We're athletic and I believe we have the skills and the character. We'll see if we can put it all together."
Lake Park, which will be led by new coach Brian Fischer, has gone to the state's Elite Eight for the past four years, achieved its highest finish when it took third place last year. The Lancers have a lot of key players back from last year, including superstar middle Nick Martinski, a quick 6-6 athlete who could play a lot of outside this year. He's been to state three times and he's hungry to take the big prize this year. "Nick has a great sense of the game," Fischer said. "And he's a leader, setting a good example for his teammates. He beats defenders with his quickness even more than his size." Martinski is also strong in serve-receive, he's an excellent passer, he plays shutdown defense, and is always looking to improve. Haigh is a star on the outside who sets the tone for the fast-paced offense, while Bayner is an undersized middle who has an uncanny knack for reading the game. Sampson may be the hardest worker on the team. He's a crafty setter whose strength is getting the ball to the hot hand. "(Former coach) Tim Murphy built a culture of success here and all the guys coming up are eager to fit into the system," Fischer said. "We won three tournaments last year and the guys are looking to match that success. We've got more size this year and our players are ready to go all the way."
The third DuPage County Elite Eight team was Hinsdale Central, and the Red Devils are also optimistic even though coach Mike Konrad has to replace some key graduates. The big talent returning is setter Zolpe, who is a poised quarterback who can make the difficult play look easy. "John has a knack for elevating his game in the big moments," Konrad said. "He's a complete player who stood out as an outside hitter for his club team." Tienken is a three-year varsity starter in the middle, and the Red Devils will go to him more as an offensive option this season. Schwarz is strong on reaction time and ball control and gives the team one of the better liberos in the area. The Red Devils play a tougher schedule this year in order to prepare for another postseason run. "We have a group of really strong players behind these three who will contribute a great deal," Konrad said. "We have high expectations again and hope to make it to the final four."
Going into the season there are several other teams the area's coaches believe have a chance to make it to the state finals. These include Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central, Benet and a couple of dark horses, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South. The Wildcats of Neuqua Valley were 29-9 last year with a young team that finished third in the DVC. Most of the key players are back, led by 6-foot-7 setter Kauling, a Lewis commit, in his third year of running the team. "He's quick, agile, very competitive and he takes control of the offense," said Neuqua coach Erich Mendoza. "He's got his teammates absolute respect." The fluid Grove is another Wildcats star, a dynamic hitter who excels at passing and blocking. He's also a vocal leader on the court. The Wildcats have quality depth that gives the coach a lot of lineup flexibility. "We have the pieces in place to make a run at the finals. We just have to stay healthy and continue to work hard at playing together," Mendoza said.
Benet is also returning just about everyone, led by Crnkovich, who played only half of last season. He is a huge difference-maker and he'll be available at the beginning. "He's a great closer, who never gives up on a block," coach Jeff Steinberg said. Kmieciak is an all-conference libero who became a setter in club just to prepare for this season. He's a driven competitor with great hands. "We're hoping to go deep into the playoffs," Steinberg said. "We were frustrated by our tournament finishes. So that's something we'll focus on. We have the people who can make the plays. They'll just have to make the plays."
Naperville Central has another one of the area's great athletes in the middle in returning Daily Herald All-Area selection Egharevba, who's athletic, gets off the ground quickly and has a fast and powerful arm swing. "Felix can be intimidating at the net," said coach Roger Strausberger. "He's also a great leader." Davis is a third-year starter, a dynamic hitter, who has improved in every aspect of his game. "We have a lot of offensive weapons," Strausberger said. "Our floor defense and ball control have improved a great deal. Our goals are to win conference and make it to state."
Wheaton North finished under .500 last year thanks to a number of injuries, but the Falcons, led by their super middle Duggan, are poised to take that next step back to the glory days. The Falcons are tall and athletic and should be in the mix for the DVC title. And that mix could also include Wheaton Warrenville South with the versatile Meyer leading the way. Also in the DVC, the improving Metea Valley has a veteran team that should be able to close out matches more effectively than the Spartans did last year.
Glenbard North, which battled its way to a third-place finish, graduated most of last year's starters but will be hoping that some promising newcomers provide support for the solid veteran nucleus that remains.
Naperville North, comes off a rare off-year but should be bolstered by a good defense and strong serve-receive. Waubonsie Valley, which is led by the scrappy libero Myong, is also on the rise. Besides Glenbard West and Hinsdale Central, the West Suburban Silver features Downers Grove North, led by Price, a great athlete.
York, though not tall, should compete with a lineup headed by star setter Schaner. In the West Suburban Silver Downers Grove South and Hinsdale South have the horses to compete for the conference title.
Willowbrook's defense will be hard get past, while Addison Trail's Grygo is one of the best setters in the state. Glenbard East, though hit by graduation, is always ready to go in the postseason. The Rams should compete for the top spot in the Upstate Eight Conference, and West Chicago will be one of the primary competitors.
St. Francis will have its youngest team ever, but the Spartans are bringing in the greatest freshman team they've ever had. There will be a learning curve, but expect the Spartans to be highly competitive as the season goes on.
The growing Montini program has more club players than ever before, which should make for a more balanced attack. Fenton's young team expects to struggle at the beginning but be more confident and competitive by the end of the season.
Key dates: March 28-29, 31; The Tiger Classic, Wheaton Warrenville South; April 7: Springfest, Glenbard East; April 20-21: Downers Grove South Invite; April 27-28: Benet Invitational; May 4-5: York Invitational; Metea Valley Invite; May 11-12 Willowbrook Invite; May 22-23: IHSA regionals; May 25, 29: IHSA sectionals; June 1-2: State finals.