Boys volleyball: Scouting DuPage County and Fox area teams
ADDISON TRAIL
The Blazers hope to improve on a 4-27 overall and 1-5 in the West Suburban Gold Conference behind returning seniors Nehemiah Varghese, Zach Morris, Jorge Molina and Francesco Giannone.
"We have a nice balance with a lot of senior leadership," said third year coach Jessica Clark. “We have some talented newcomers."
BARTLETT
Seniors Nick Ciolino, Reece Thompson, Yelcol Harewood and junior Manav Shah are back for coach Robert Schwantz (12 years) whose team went 23-12, 5-3 last year to take fourth in the Upstate Eight.
"We want to win the conference championship before it splits in two divisions and adds four teams," said Schwantz. “We want to go deep in the postseason and place at least three players on the all-conference team."
BENET
The Redwings return five seniors and three juniors from a team which was 7-1 in the East Suburban Catholic and advanced to the sectional finals losing to Glenbard South.
Back for new coach Hector Cano are seniors Thomas Galbraith, Anthony Komick, Nick Gonnella, Andrew Stocker, Brendan Geraci and Dom Krzeczkowski, and juniors Aris Maurukas, Reed Hefley and Jacob Olejnik. They will be joined by juniors Joseph Torrico, Ryan Pecak, Matt Swiatkowski, Shane Walsh and Benus Rauduve, and sophomore Lukas Carlson.
"Marist is the team to beat in the conference," said Cano. "We want to run various tempos and give our kids opportunities to grow and develop."
DOWNERS GROVE NORTH
The Trojans (29-10, 4-2) return seniors Adam Janowiak, Lincoln Geist and Gavin Reina along with juniors Aiden Akkawi and Quinn Leahy to a team that made the sectional finals. Coach Mark Wasik adds senior Tommy Kroczka, junior Dylan Quinn and sophomore Aaron Grey.
"We lose both outside hitters but we reload with capable athletes," said Wasik. “This conference is mixed with top teams in the state."
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH
The Mustangs (28-10, 6-0) were undefeated in the WSC Gold behind seniors Jordan Tan and Connor Lynch, and juniors Matt Piotrowski and Jordan Parrot for coach Kurt Steuer who welcomes sophomore Linas Kasperiunas.
"We are returning varsity experience," said the Mustangs coach, who is 276-125 in 11 years. "We are incorporating new setters to run our offense. They are gaining experience at the varsity against top teams in the state.“
FENTON
The Bison (6-28, 0-8 in the UEC) bring back seniors Ramiro Espericueta, John Contreras, Josshymart Torres, John Makewicki, Alexsis Castro, Davide Vallone and Aiden Cano along with juniors Lorenzo Cano and Daniel Garfias.
"We want to win 20 of 33 matches, play in a regional final and finish in the top three in the conference," said third year coach Adam Bloniarz. “We have a new group of juniors and we hope to mesh with the returnees. We have had successes at the junior varsity and freshman level."
GENEVA
Size and experience are prevalent for Geneva in 2024. Jack Mally, a 6-6 senior who has committed to Loyola of Chicago, was an all-DuKane Conference performer in 2023. The Ramblers are currently ranked 10th in the nation.
Mally will be joined by 6-5 senior Michael Loberg (all-conference in 2023) and 6-5 Ryan Fioresi. Other returning starters include senior Rocco Lampiasi and junior Eric Schrerer while Kellen Prysmiki is looking for playing time.
The Vikings (19-18, 3-3) lost to Fremd in the regional finals a year ago.
"We should be very competitive and challenge for the conference championship," said coach Stephanie Hennig. "We want to make a postseason run and win the program’s second regional championship."
GLENBARD EAST
The Rams (25-13, 7-1) lost in the regional final to Lyons Township, who placed second in the state.
They will be led by 6-8 senior Aidan Welton, a two-year all-conference performer and a George Mason recruit.
Senior setter Jack Junior, a three-year starter, and seniors Danny Overlin, Brayden Smith and Payton Strieve are back for coach Kelly Markworth who adds senior Lance Mueller and freshman Glorie Emma
“A majority of starters are back which will support the new talented players." said Markworth.
GLENBARD WEST
The Hilltoppers (40-2) defeated West Suburban Conference Silver rival Lyons Township to win the 2023 state title.
Glenbard West returns all-state senior Adam Graham. Senior all-conference performers Xzavian Willett, Andrew Ellis and Jack Anderson also return.
"We want to go point by point," said Christine Giunta Mayer (557-143 record in 19 years). “We want to maintain a high standard and have a strong mentality. We want to stay in control every practice and game. We play in a difficult conference. Three of the four teams in the Final 4 were from the conference."
HINSDALE CENTRAL
The Red Devils lost in the sectional finals to conference foe Lyons Township a year ago under coach Tom Gilbert, who fashions a 58-20 career mark in three years. They are led by all-state outside hitter senior Matt Ruth.
Senior Omer Naveed and junior Harry Hughes are back as all-West Suburban Conference players, and sophommores Ken Reodica, John Lynch, Everett Howorth and Dane Beringer join the team.
"We graduated nine seniors and have a lot of new players," said Gilbert. "We are beginning a rebuild. Glenbard West is talented again. The conference is arguably the toughest in the state."
HINSDALE SOUTH
Seventh year coach Joe Lencioni returns all-conference players seniors Quinn Marron and Nate Ockrim and sophomore Tomas Lobias.
HUNTLEY
The Red Raiders begin their eighth season as a program. They are the lone school in the Fox Valley Conference and public school in McHenry County to have a program.
The Raiders return seniors Adrian Martinez, Lucas Miller, Diyas Seitov and sophomore Barsbek Ulanbekuulu.
"We have made tremendous growth as a program," said coach Gerry Marchand. "We won six games a year ago and we hope to improve on that."
LAKE PARK
The Lancers, who won the DuKane Conference with a perfect 6-0 slate and were 25-13 overall, lost to Conant in the regional finals.
Under the tutelage of Brian Fischer, returning are senior Dylan Brinkley along with juniors Carter Gibbons, Dylan Roszak and Luke Bonacci. Junior Mike Ogorzalek will attempt to crack the rotation.
"We want to improve on last season's success," said Fischer. "We want to win a regional title and compete for another conference championship."
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
The Redhawks (13-23, 3-5 DVC) return senior Zach Hurd while adding senior Aayush Ghorad, juniors Logan McGrath and Ryder Erdmann, and sophomore Robbie Ruthig.
"We have talented younger players who are transitioning to the varsity level," said coach Roger Strausberger. “They will have key roles and impact this season. It is a bigger team than we have had in the past. It comes down to senior leadership, ball control and setting ability for our underclassmen. They need to step up."
MONTINI
Youth will be served for the Broncos (5-22, 0-6) in 2024.
Senior Hunter Ross and sophomore Nolan Kwiatkowski are back to go with sophomore Michael May and freshmen Fred Conforti and Charlie Brunson.
"This is the youngest team I have had in eight years," said coach Brian Opaka. "We will start two freshmen and two sophomores. We are not very deep. We hope to finish in the middle of the pack in the conference."
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats (14-20, 5-3) won a DVC co-championship under coach Erich Mendoza, who has 372 wins in 15 years. He welcomes back seniors Christian Manabat and Quinn Snyder and junior Noah Cullen.
"We graduated our whole starting lineup and have a young team," said Mendoza. “We want to improve on our overall and win a regional. We haven't won a regional since 2019. Our JV teams have had a lot of success and we hope to continue that success at the varsity level."
ST. CHARLES EAST
New coach Matt Caputo, who was the Saints assistant for eight years, takes over after an 0-6 record in the DuKane. Seniors Andrew Heilers, Adi Nakarani and Nihar Patel are back along with juniors Alex Temple, Mason Wise and Brady Warden.
"We were young in 2023 with only two seniors," said Caputo. “We want to use the experience we gained last spring to improve overall record. We have an experienced group of seniors and we welcome several junior impact players."
ST. EDWARD
St. Edward is looking to improve a 6-18 record behind seniors Josh Pottorff, Kaden Dawson, Josh Schelonka, Caleb Groves, Patrick Johnson, Jeremy Roldan and junior Robby Sommer.
"We have a number of two-year varsity players with experience," said coach Nicole Skrzypchak. “We have a presence on the court and a solid senior class. We are excited for the new conference (Chicagoland). We are excited to face some familiar teams and some unfamiliar teams."
ST. FRANCIS
The Spartans (28-10) lost to Hinsdale Central in the regional finals a year ago.
Seniors Gavin Gonzalez, Nick Madden, Eddie Muller, Chris Rojas, Krish Manek, JT McCormick and Kyle Zediker along with newcomers are seniors Aaron Cook, Mike Powell, Mike Globe and Matt Shales lead the way.
"Guys are pushing themselves to play at a high level," said coach Mike Lynch. "We will be fun to watch and should improve throughout the season. We have the majority of our lineup back. We want to be conference champs and make a deep run in the state playoffs.“
STREAMWOOD
The Sabres (16-16, 4-5) took sixth in the Upstate Eight last year for coach Michelle Mueller. She has all-conference junior Heewon Yang back along with seniors Brandon Voravong, Cristan Sandoval, John Garcia, Danny Trifonav, Martid Prialgauska and Ashray Kumar. on a veteran team.
"We have a combination of experience and good young talent,“ ," said Mueller. ”That is a great combination. We want to make a solid run come playoff time."
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN
The Trojans start their first year in the Chicagoland Christian Conference. Timothy finished 6-2 in its final season in the Metro Suburban.
Coach David Barker's troops lost to Wheaton Warrenville South in the regional quarterfinals.
Back are all-conference performers seniors Ty Van Latten and Jon Tameling along with juniors Owen Wise and Trevor Munk.
""We want to win the conference and advance in the state playoffs," said Barker. “We are ready to compete against multiple bigger schools.”
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
The Warriros lost nine players from a 2023 team which posted a 16-18 record, 4-4 in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Seniors Amr Alomari and Sujhan Gopinath, junior AJ Ruffin are back, joined by seniors Rohan Ambavaran and Ben Watts and sophomore Chris Johnson.
"The DVC is always tough," said 12th year coach Noel Soto. “I don't think this season will be any different. Every team has opportunity to win conference and make a run in the playoffs. We will have some growing pains at the beginning of the season. We hope to put the pieces together. It will be a fun group to watch and develop.”
WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH
Veteran coach Bill Schreier welcomes back all six starters including 3 all-staters from a team which posted a 21-15 record and 4-2 DuKane Conference slate (second). Schreier is 688-218 mark.
Back are all-staters seniors Joey Kelly and Joey Kohley along with sophomore Simon Bratt, seniors Quinn Harty and Trevor Paige and junior Mergen Purevsuren.
Senior Brian Dickinson and junior Mark Gheorghita also are in the mix for playing time.
"We had growing pains last season with younger players," said the Tigers coach. “We want to get back on track with a good mix of seniors and underclassmen. We have a ton of experience. We hope to reap the benefits. We are on the verge of a very competitive season."
WEST AURORA
Grant Marlowe takes over and will look to seniors Nicholas Feder, Cameron Jarrell (Augustana), Braeden Zant and Aaron Walker, and juniors Alex Gove and Evan Camp to lead the way.
West Aurora (23-15, 7-3 in the Southwest Prairie) took second in conference before losing to Downers Grove South in the regional finals.
"We want to compete for a championship opportunity available to us no matter if it is a conference championship, a win in the state playoffs our home invite or any highly competitive tournament we take part in," said Marlowe. “Any number of teams could be near the top of the conference standings."
WILLOWBROOK
The Warriors (5-20, 2-3) lost to Glenbard East in the first round of the regionals, and bring back seniors Carter Ferguson and Andrew Giesinski.
"We want to win the West Suburban Conference Gold which will help us prepare us for the state tournament," said coach Ed Delacruz.
YORK
The Dukes (30-7, 3-3) have six returning starters and 10 players overall, leading to some lofty goals in 2024.
All-staters sophomore Ben Brown, and seniors Luke Shorter and Jack Bute are back along with all-conference selection Logan Rice plus seniors Zach Brown, Jack Zitek, Collin Harrington, Owen Reifenrath, Abe Cobalerro and Charlie Meadows.
York was upset in the regionals by West Aurora last year.
"The top three teams in the state are in the WSC Silver,“ said coach Ken Dowdy (247-154 mark in 13 years). ”It is hands down the best conference in the state. We are lucky to participate in it. Our schedule is tougher. We are playing elite teams like Riverside Brookfield and Lincoln-Way East and in the Best in the Midwest Tournament in Indianapolis.“