DuPage County All-Area boys volleyball team
Colin Ball | Naperville North
Ball is a middle hitter, but he can be positioned wherever the Huskies can get him the ball. He leads the team in blocks and is second in kills. Until this season Ball was also a football and basketball player, and his athletic ability is apparent in his lateral movement at the net and his quickness on the court. He's a team captain and respected leader who has been a big help to the younger players.
Rob Bauer | Neuqua Valley
Nobody puts down a kill with more authority than this high-flying 6-foot-5 outside hitter. When he's near the net everyone knows the ball is going to him and he still gets double-digit kills every match. Bauer hits with flair, but he's always composed and under control and gets better when the pressure's on. He's extremely athletic with long arms and quick feet. Plus, he's defensively solid and the team's most consistent passer.
Connor Dougherty | Waubonsie Valley
The epitome of the "go-to guy," Dougherty was hounded by opposing defenses wherever he went. Officially a middle hitter, the 6-foot-8 senior had the freedom to move about the court, and his dramatic kills could come from a variety of locations. Always a powerful hitter, this year Dougherty learned the nuances and became adept at placing the ball and hitting off the block.
Tyler Gustafson | Glenbard North
One of the top all-around players in the area, this agile outside hitter plays libero in club ball, and the Panthers have benefited from his skills at both positions. He's equally proficient at hitting, blocking, passing and digging. Gustafson's trademarks are his composure and consistency. A four-year starter, he's been a captain and valuable leader the past two seasons.
Mark Jones | Glenbard East
The 6-foot-5 Jones is outstanding as a setter and a right side. In short he does everything well and is truly one of the best in the state. As a hitter, he's a leaper who can hit over the top of the block and he has a variety of swings that he can nail at any time. As a setter, he usually gets the ball to the right person at the right time and in the right place. He runs the show for the Rams whether he's setting or hitting.
Joe Kelly | WW South
Kelly's the leader, the setter who elevates the game of everyone around him. And that's saying something, because he's led the Tigers to two straight state championships. He gets the ball to the right hitters and puts them in a position to put down the kill. He's also strong at the service line and can block and hit when he's needed. Kelly is one of the hardest working players around.
Mark Kunberger | Glenbard East
This scrappy libero has taken his game to the next level this year. He's a supreme defender who rarely lets anything hit the floor on the left side. His passes are always on the money. He has outstanding court awareness and anticipation. Kunberger's energy, intensity and vocal enthusiasm keep his Rams teammates focused and headed in the right direction.
Mark Lewan | Lake Park
This late-blooming middle hitter has been flying under the radar for most of the year. "When people play us they don't know him," said Lake Park coach Brad Baker. "But halfway through the match they know who he is." This year Lewan wanted the ball and he could put it away. He's made big improvements in all his skills and jumping ability through hard work.
Victor Lei | Naperville Central
As a four-year starting setter Lei studies the opposition in order to put the Redhawks in a position to win. He has more than 2,400 assists and was especially valuable this year helping the Redhawks adapt to the early-season loss of outside hitter Dan Dierking. Lei's setting and his leadership have been instrumental in the team's development.
Kevin Massura | Benet
It took him more than a year of strenuous rehabilitation, but Massura delivered in his senior year on the All-Area promise he showed as a sophomore. With his great leaping ability returned, Massura is a dominating all-around player who brings intensity and consistency to the court. He puts his kills away with a lot of force and has a variety of shots and knows when to use them.
Graham McIlvaine | Hinsdale Central
McIlvaine, a 6-foot-5 junior setter excels in all facets of the game. He helps the team with his sets, blocks, hits and digs and he keeps getting better. With his good hands he can take a bad pass and turn it into a great set. He's a great leaper and an oustanding competitor. He's growing into a consistent leader. A former hockey player, McIlvaine looks like a future college Division I setter.
Derek Menendez | Neuqua Valley
This former basketball player is the emotional leader of the Wildcats. But he's learned how to keep his emotions in check in order to maximize his efficiency on kills and blocks. However, Menendez still feeds off the drama of the moment and the excitement of the crowd. He's developed into a fine all-court player with great back row skills and a serve that keeps the other team honest.
Neill Nystrom | WW South
Nystrom, a 6-foot-10 outside hitter, has been one of the keys to the Tigers annual championship run. He has a total understanding of both the blocking and attacking at the net and has the agility and the quick reactions to put his knowledge into action. He's outstanding all the way around, and his powerful serves with their downward trajectory can explode on the other side of the net.
Kyle Olszewski | Lake Park
The Lancers' top kill guy can score even when it's obvious that he'll be the one getting the ball. A great leaper with a swinging arm so strong that you can see the other team retreating as the match goes on. He's a six-rotation player who can pass and handle the serve-receive. He also has a knack for being in the right spot. A tireless worker, Olszewski has improved dramatically every year.
Rob Samp | WW South
Samp's foot speed and lateral quickness get him in line for plays that most middles can't get to. Another key player on last year's state champs, Samp has the ability to hit a variety of shots and use the whole court. When he and teammate Neal Whittington set up a block it can intimidate opponents into making hitting errors. Always thinking on the court, the 6-foot-9 Samp always puts himself in good position to make the plays.
Kyle Schwetz | Glenbard North
This 6-foot-6 middle hitter, a four-year varsity guy, is also a linebacker on the gridiron. He's a power guy, very athletic with quick feet, agility and a good vertical. He has great timing on the block and his lateral movement allows him to help on the outside. His big blocks can set the tone of a match and his serves are often momentum builders. He may play football in college.
Mike Segneri | St. Francis
"This kid's a warrior," said St. Francis coach Mike Lynch, Segneri went through a season that was filled with injuries and illness. But even with all the setbacks, this four-year starting setter was the heart of the Spartans' 29-8 team, either with his perfect sets, his consistent leadership and court savvy or merely for the inspiration he provided from the bench.
Pat Soukop | Downers Grove South
Soukop made the transition from setter to libero this year and continued to bring his outstanding skills, leadership and technique to a promising, but very young Mustangs squad. The great hands he developed as a setter resulted in his consistently perfect passes "He understands the game," said Mustang coach Tony Nevrly. "He's a great all-around player and he's really helped the younger kids."
Chris Vazquez | Addison Trail
Vazquez is the general of the Blazers offense from the setter position, but he's so much more. With the body of a middle hitter and extremely long arms, Vazquez puts up an imposing block and keeps defenses honest with a well-placed kill. As a setter, Vazquez has great control. He knows how to distribute and is keenly aware of the changing tempo of the game.
Jordan Williams | Hinsdale Central
Two years ago he was a raw sophomore who backed up at every position. Now this athletic outside hitter has grown into a consistent force with a variety of shots and he knows when to use them and where to place them. He can also hit from all over the court and blocks with the best of middles. Williams, who steps it up a notch in the clutch, can get the team fired up with one of his straight-down kills.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>All-Area Teams</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Cook County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298406"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298405">Softball captain: Nikki Goranson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298398"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298397">Baseball captain: Jon Carlson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298403"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298402">Soccer captains: Laura Mayer, Mary Kubiuk</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298401"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298400">Volleyball captain: Chris Falknor</a></li> </ul> <h2>DuPage County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298392">Softball captain: Hannah Santora</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298582">Baseball captain: Jack DeAno</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298391"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298394">Soccer captain: Leah Fortune</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298390"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298393">Volleyball captain: Joe Kelly</a></li> </ul> <h2>Fox Valley</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298362">Softball captain: Kimberly Pierce</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298660"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298356">Baseball co-captain: Brian Brauer</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298355">Baseball co-captain: Craig Lipp</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298658"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298361">Soccer captain: Cori Wronski</a></li> </ul> <h2>Lake County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298410"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298408">Softball captain: Olivia Duehr</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298407"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298396">Baseball captain: Chas Evans</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298404"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298409">Soccer captain: Courtney Levy</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tri-Cities</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298385"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>