Boys volleyball: Lake County all-area team

Sammy Adkisson Vernon HillsOnly a junior, he was the most-experienced volleyball player on a team that didn't have many club players. He started his entire sophomore year at libero, and that's where he played most of this season. "We had a stretch of eight matches where we needed another setter, and Sammy's a really good setter," Cougars coach Chris Curry said. "Most people don't remember he actually made his varsity debut his freshman year when he came up to set in a 6-2 - which we hadn't run all year - in the regional final against Barrington. We needed more blocking and more hitters, and he was totally composed. We know he can set, but we'd rather have him at libero." Adkisson posted 346 digs, served at 96 percent with 19 aces and dished out 110 assists in his eight matches as setter. He notched 20 digs in two different matches.

Ben Arebalo MundeleinThe Mustangs had their best season (17-16 record) in a few years. And defense was one reason for the improvement. The veteran Arebalo was the Mustangs' top defensive standout. On the season, he collected 564 digs. He surpassed 1,000 digs in his three-year varsity career.

Leo Chen StevensonChen clearly made himself into a better player in his senior year. "I would say he is one of the top four outside hitters in our conference," said coach Eric Goolish, whose Patriots went 27-10 and won the Joliet West and Lake County invites. "He is one of our captains and a significant reason why our season was so successful. Chen was a six-rotation outside hitter who was effective serving, digging, serve-receiving, blocking and attacking. In the back row, he received 384 serves, gave up only 46 aces and passed with a score of 2.1 on the season. From the service line, Chen was effective on 93 percent of his serves and got "other teams out of system for our defense to play operate," Goolish said. In the front row, Chen showed incredible improvement over last year, Goolish added. He had more than 300 kills and lowered his hitting errors. "I am incredibly proud of Leo's growth in leadership this season," Goolish said. "He carried our team, and our underclassmen look up to him. I am a lucky coach to have had Leo in our program."

Matt Cliffer StevensonCoach Eric Goolish called the senior middle hitter a "significant piece of our offense and defense," as Cliffer helped the Patriots win 27 matches. Like last year, Cliffer hit efficiently in the middle at 0.330. He improved from 1.8 kills per game last year to 2.3 kills per game this year. He also increased his blocks by over 50 percent (84 total). "Matt was a great leader for our team through emotion and example," Goolish said. "He played with a great motor and set the example for the underclassmen that hard work is necessary to be an excellent, complete middle hitter and blocker."

Connor Clowers LakesThe young Eagles had a strong performance this year from the 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter. He topped the Eagles with 275 kills and added 140 digs and 21 aces.

Brendan Cook LibertyvilleThe 6-foot-4 senior will play football for North Dakota State University, and the defensive standout hits hard in his second sport too. When Cook reached the full extension on a kill, there was no one who could stop him. A two-time all-area selection and three-year varsity starter, he notched 206 kills with a .360 hitting efficiency, 32 blocks, 31 aces and 56 digs.

Tyler Donovan LakesNothing like a tall setter and Lakes has one for the next two seasons. The 6-foot-4 sophomore setter had 535 assists, 116 digs and 38 aces in 32 matches this year. "The assists numbers may not be elite among setters," Eagles coach Kevin Glabowicz said. "But we did run a two-setter offense the first 12 matches of the season. After that, he averaged 21 assists per match in the 20 he ran the show by himself."

Jarod Hesse Grayslake NorthThe junior picked up the setting duties for the Knights and even filled in as a middle hitter. For the season, he racked up 313 assists to go along with 201 kills.

Derrick Jones Vernon HillsThe versatile senior started for three seasons on varsity. He played middle hitter as a sophomore, played both right side and outside hitter last year and was primarily the Cougars' right side this year. "On a team that often started two freshmen and two sophomores this year, he was the glue holding it all together," Cougars coach Chris Curry said. "He's calm when the younger guys need it and fiery when the older guys need a lift. His leadership is immeasurable. He's one of the only two-year captains we've ever had." Jones had 268 kills, despite playing with four different, inexperienced setters throughout the year. He averaged 3.12 kills per set and delivered 15 aces in limited serving opportunities. "DJ is headed to Western Michigan with plans to play with the club team there," Curry said. "DJ never played club volleyball, spending his non-high school volleyball time as a starter for our basketball team. Who's the last non-club player you saw with numbers like his?"

Austin James Carmel CatholicThe Corsairs setter was certainly versatile. In addition to dishing out 713 assists, he notched 14 aces, 59 kills, 170 digs and 18 blocks. "Austin had some big shoes to fill and he did that very very well," said coach Kevin Nylen, whose Corsairs graduated all-area setter Jack Herron last year. "Austin was a leader and a competitor on the court. He excelled in communicating with his hitters, as evident by the number of kills from (Jackson) Ptasienski and (Mike) Scott, especially. He worked hard during his career to improve not just his own game but those player around him, and the evidence is in his statistics, but also in the success we had this season."

Alex Jiang WarrenThe 6-foot-4 middle hitter was a force again in earning all-area honors for the second year in a row. He had 135 kills, 82 blocks, 50 digs and 30 aces. "Alex is very athletic, agile and intense player," Blue Devils coach Yun Chen said. "We saw many middles from various teams throughout the season, and Alex is one of the best in the area."

Kristian Jimenez AntiochThe senior outside hitter enjoyed another stellar season for the Sequoits in earning all-conference honors for the third year in a row. "He became a starter at Antioch from Day One," Sequoits coach Jamie Atkinson said. "Kristian has had an impressive career at Antioch.

Derek Kolb GrantKolb clobbered a team-best 191 kills and soared at the net. "The kid can jump," Grant coach Michele Keenan said. "It's what everyone notices when they watch us play."

Steven Miritello MundeleinHere's another setter who could put the ball away. The senior notched 556 assists and also had 72 kills.

Jackson Ptasienski Carmel CatholicHe was the go-to-player in the Corsairs' lineup. The repeat all-area selection had a .337 hitting percentage, notched 325 kills and played defense to the tune of 185 digs. "This season he blew those stats out of the water, which should show how much improvement he made between the seasons," Carmel coach Kevin Nylen said. "Jackson was our rock, absolutely solid and consistent in everything that he did. He was never flashy, never drew attention to himself, but excelled at everything on the court. Offensively, he was our go-to guy both in the front row as well as the back. He hit for power when needed and always played with high intelligence. Very rarely did he choose to make the wrong shot. Defensively, he was outstanding and when teams tried to pick on him being in the back row he made them pay, especially in serve receive. He has been a special player for us for the last several years and will be missed."

Austin Rockel Grayslake CentralThe senior outside hitter took offensively for the Rams, leading the team with 187 kills.

Mike Scott Carmel CatholicThe 6-foot-7 junior middle blocker boasted a .414 hitting percentage with 154 kills and 37 blocks. He earned All-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors for the second year in a row. "Mike is simply an exciting volleyball player," Corsairs coach Kevin Nylen said. "He has a high volleyball IQ, is very competitive and is gifted athletically. For as good as he has been for us the last couple of years, I believe his best volleyball is still in front of him. He doesn't know how truly dominant he can be. It has been a long time since we have had a player in our program who can jump as high and hit with as much power as he does. He is so much fun to watch."

Will Sorenson StevensonThe junior, a two-year varsity starter, has transitioned well to the setter role. "Last year, we began the journey of converting Will from a defensive specialist into a setter," Patriots coach Eric Goolish said. Playing in every match last year, Sorenson compiled 381 assists and 69 aces while running a 6-2 offense. This year, he earned the reigns of running the Patriots' 5-1 system and dished out 681 assists. Specifically, Sorenson delivered 9.9 assists per game vs. 4.3 assists per game last year. Playing as a front-row setter, he contributed on the block with 49 blocks. "I recall many moments where a block by him changed the tide of the match," Goolish said. "Overall, Will has continued his excellent defense while improving in setting assists and efficiency, serving effectiveness, and blocking. Will's ability to transition into the extremely important role of setter, all while being in the varsity spotlight, is noteworthy. He cares deeply about his teammates and puts in extra work to improve and be prepared for competitions. We are lucky to have Will another season next year, and it's exciting to imagine if he keeps improving what may be in store. "

Jack Stevens LibertyvilleThe captain of the all-area team had another spectacular season. His 371 kills were spurred by a .463 hitting efficiency. He also had 55 blocks, 36 aces, 177 digs, 274 receptions and 13 assists. A three-time all-area selection, he will continue his volleyball career at Ohio State University.

Kyle Wells WarrenAll was well for Warren when Wells hit the volleyball. The three-year varsity player hammered 382 kills and also had 53 aces, 33 blocks and 162 digs. He is a two-time all-area selection. "A very well-rounded player," Blue Devils coach Yun Chen said. "Kyle worked hard throughout the season on his back-row defense, and it really showed down the stretch."

Bartosz Wielgos Lake ZurichThe junior averaged double-digit kills in his third varsity season as the Bears' primary outside hitter. "This was the first year that Bartosz played all around, giving him the opportunity to play defense as well," Bears coach Lesly Ravenscraft said. "He has a great understanding of the game, and he rarely gets flustered on the court. He was one of our captains this year, as he is a player and a person who the other kids look up to. We are looking forward to seeing what Bartosz brings to the team next season for his senior year."

Ryan Winiger LibertyvilleThe North Suburban Conference champs depended on its defense, and the senior libero helped lead the way. Winiger's 403 digs moved him into the top three in program history. He also notched 60 assists and 27 aces.

All-area roster

Player School Yr. Pos.

Sammy Adkisson Vernon Hills Jr. L/S

Ben Arebalo Mundelein Sr. L

Leo Chen Stevenson Sr. OH

Matt Cliffer Stevenson Sr. OH

Connor Clowers Lakes Jr. OH

Brendan Cook Libertyville Sr. OH

Tyler Donovan Lakes So. S

Jarod Hesse Grayslake North Jr. S/MH

Alex Jiang Warren Sr. MH

Kristian Jimenez Antioch Sr. OH

Derrick Jones Vernon Hills Sr. RS

Derek Kolb Grant Jr. OH

Steven Miritello Mundelein Sr. S

Jackson Ptasienski Carmel Catholic Sr. OH

Austin Rockel Grayslake Central Sr. OH

Mike Scott Carmel Catholic Jr. MB

Will Sorenson Stevenson Jr. S

*Jack Stevens Libertyville Sr. OH

Kyle Wells Warren Sr. OH

Bartosz Wielgos Lake Zurich Jr. OH

Ryan Winiger Libertyville Sr. L

* - all-area captain

Honorable mention

Nick Anello (Grayslake North), John Angelos (Stevenson), Connor Flatley (Antioch), Zach Ford (Libertyville), Ian Fox (Grant), John Gizowski (Grant), James Harvey (Carmel), Colin Hawkinson (Libertyville), Sam Inmon (Grayslake North), Haddon Kay (Stevenson), Jameson Loffller (Grayslake Central), Jack McDonald (Vernon Hills), Gavin Meng (Stevenson), Abram Nazario (Mundelein), Marc Ray (Mundelein), Carter Schaffnit (Libertyville), Jack Teehan (Carmel)

Selections and profiles by Bill Pemstein