The DuPage County Boys Volleyball All-Area Team
Carson Brandt, Glenbard East
Brandt, a team captain as a junior, led the Rams to a second-place finish in the Upstate Eight Conference and made all-conference. He put down 358 kills and added 92 digs and 41 blocks. The 6-feet-5 lefty can put the ball away regularly from any angle, including from the back row. "He can leap, he has great anticipation and he's quick to the ball," coach Marci Maier said. "He's a wonderful leader who makes everyone around him better."
Francisco Comas, Neuqua Valley
The 5-foot 5 senior is a classic libero. He's quick, fearless, has great anticipation and he knows the game. He's a master at serve-receive who can make the spectacular save to keep the play going, He had 362 digs and added 31 aces. "Francisco's energy, intensity, serving ability and passing have been key to our success," coach Erich Mendoza said. "And he steps up in the big matches." Comas will play volleyball at McKendree.
Nick Cookingham, Willowbrook
The 6-foot-3 senior is the prototype setter, a great decision-maker with outstanding hands. He delivers the ball with accuracy and he gets everyone involved in the play. He can also put it over the net for a kill. He led the team in assists, aces and blocks and added 132 kills. He was a unanimous all-West Suburban Gold selection. "Nick is a floor leader and an all-around great kid," coach Ryan Bazon said. Cookingham will play at Lees-McRae College.
John Davis, Naperville Central
The 6-foot-4 senior outside hitter led the Redhawks with 380 kills. He was all-DuPage Valley Conference as well as all-tournament at Marist, the Tiger Classic and Brother Rice. Davis came up with 145 digs and 40 aces. "He can put a good thump on the ball that changes the energy of the match," coach Roger Strausburger said. "He has a fast arm, and he can find the seams with a good repertoire of shots. His kills are mostly dramatic and he's our best passer." Davis will play for Benedictine.
Daniel Duggan, Wheaton North
This 6-foot-7 middle hitter was a two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference player who kept getting better throughout this season. Duggan can jump to touch 11 feet, 2 inches, is quick and has a great knowledge of the game. He put away 258 kills to become the Falcons' all-time leader and was an intimidator at the net with 89 blocks. "He's a leader on and off the court," coach John Noe said. "The other kids look up to him as a role model." He'll play volleyball at McKendree University.
Jeremy Grove, Neuqua Valley
Grove is one of the great outside hitters in Illinois. He led the Wildcats - who finished second at state - in kills with 384, and he added 44 blocks, 31 aces and 91 digs. He's the school's all-time kill leader with 686. The 6-foot-3 senior also has an excellent defender and passer. "His arm swing is textbook and he's a smart hitter who can find the open spots on the court," coach Erich Mendoza said.
Jacob Grygo, Addison Trail
Grygo, a 6-foot-5 senior setter, had terrific numbers, including 787 assists and 278 kills, 117 digs, 48 blocks and 24 aces. Addison Trail coach Chad Grant believes that Grygo is the most valuable player in Illinois. "Every team would be better with him as their setter," Grant said. Grygo will play volleyball at Aquinas College.
Jordan Haigh, Lake Park
This senior outside hitter likes the fast-tempo set that gives him the opportunity to beat blockers with his athleticism, power and speed. And he's a great passer and a strong blocker. He recorded 269 kills, 32 blocks, 179 digs and 37 aces. He was all-DuPage Valley Conference and an all-tournament selection at the Tiger Classic. "Jordan is the picture of consistency," said Lancers coach Brian Fischer. "And he's always working to improve his game." Haigh will play at Queens (N.C.) University.
Ben Harrington, Glenbard West
The fearless Harrington is a suburb athlete who as a sophomore made major contributions as an outside to the Hilltoppers, third place state finish. "We know he's going to be one of the best one day. He's got a whole other level in him and he's only 15. He betters every ball he touches." Harrington, who stands 6-foot-3, made all-West Suburban Silver and had 236 kills, 63 blocks and 143 digs.
John Jaworski, Naperville North
He's only 5-foot-9, but this junior is one of the best all-around players in the area. He produced 322 kills from his outside hitter position, but his best position is libero. He came up with 250 digs. He was all-DuPage Valley Conference honorable mention last year as a setter. By the time he finishes his senior season, Jaworski should be in the Huskies' top five all-time in digs, kills and aces. "He's a tremendous leaper and our best passer," coach Nate Bornancin said. "Ideally, he's touching the ball twice on every play. He's great at every position."
Kevin Kauling, Neuqua Valley
The All-Area team captain, the 6-foot-7 junior gives the Wildcats an extra dimension as a setter because of his size, physical skills and knowledge of the game. He was all-DuPage Valley Conference and a member of the Wheaton Classic all-tournament team that was won by Neuqua Valley. Kauling dealt 670 assists, put away 113 kills, 65 blocks, 78 aces and came up with 131 digs. "He's a deceptive setter who often fools the defense," coach Erich Mendoza said.
Andrew Kohut, Metea Valley
Opponents knew they had to stop this big lefty, but they rarely did. The 6-foot-6 right-side hitter put away 372 kills was twice named all-DuPage Valley Conference. He made the all-tournament team at both the Tiger Classic and the Richards Invite. He has a variety of shots and is a weapon from the back row. He also had 53 blocks and 117 digs. "Andrew is an intense competitor who brought the team together and got the big kill when we needed it," coach John Aister said. Kohut will play at Belmont Abbey.
Nick Martinski, Lake Park
Martinski, was a three-year varsity middle hitter who switched to the outside as a senior. He was player of the year in the DuPage Valley Conference. The 6-foot-7 Martinski can touch over 11 feet and is a presence at the net both swinging and blocking. He had 326 kills, 42 blocks 221 digs and 37 aces. "Not many middles can make a position switch as flawlessly as Nick," coach Brian Fischer said. "He's a great talent in all aspects and he often takes over the match." He'll play volleyball at Ball State.
Stone Metz, Glenbard West
The essence of Metz' game is his ability to communicate on the floor. He's the only six-rotation senior starter on the floor for Glenbard West. This athletic outside knows the game better than anyone on the team. "He's a workhorse who provides leadership and consistency," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "He just does everything right. Metz had 248 kills, 43 blocks and 161 digs. He'll play club volleyball at TCU.
Zeo Meyer, Wheaton Warrenville South
Meyer, a 6-feet-4 sophomore is a complete player who serves as both a setter and a right-side hitter for the Tigers. He has quick feet and good lateral movement. His numbers for the year include 365 assists, 234 kills, 40 aces, 52 blocks and 104 digs. He has great hands and a variety of shots. He's quick to the ball and hits with power. "Zeo forces opponents to game plan against him because he impacts the game in so many ways," coach Bill Schreier said.
Caleb Minnis, Downers Grove South
This powerful right side was the go-to guy for the Mustangs. He amassed 259 kills and was a dominant blocker with 70 for the season. "He's one of the hardest-hitting guys in the state," coach Kurt Steuer said. "He's an intelligent player and he's always there to pick up his teammates." The high-flying 6-foot-5 Minnis, who was all-West Suburban Silver and made the Lincoln-Way East Invite all-tournament team, will take his talents to Augustana.
Mike Price, Downers Grove North
The senior outside led the Trojans in kills with 266, earned all-West Suburban Gold honors and made the all-tournament team at Richards. His versatility was a plus all season; he had 153 digs, 27 blocks and 25 aces. A solid six-rotation player, Price could come up with a kill from any position. "He's also a great passer," coach Mark Wasik said. "He's our go-to guy and has been a great team leader."
Ryan Swartz, Glenbard West
Swartz is a lethal outside hitter who at 6-feet-1 has the power and the shot variety to change the course of any match. The junior was all-West Suburban Silver and he was MVP at the Benet Invite. He has so much confidence in his ability that he wants the ball all the time. "Ryan has a complete game," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "He plays strong defense and often comes up with the big dig." He recorded 258 kills, 444 blocks and 116 digs.
Owen Wahlgren, Downers Grove South
The 6-foot-8 middle hitter specialized in coming up with the huge block to break the opponent's momentum. The senior game-changer had 113 blocks and added 223 kills with an impressive .361 kill percentage, plus 59 digs and 33 aces. He was MVP at the Richards Invite, and all-tourney at Marist and Lincoln-Way East. "He's quick and intense and he's great at making adjustments," coach Mark Wasik said. Wahlgren will play volleyball at Cal-Irvine.
John Zolpe, Hinsdale Central
The double-threat Zolpe has served the Red Devils for three years as both a setter and a right-side hitter. He's adept at finding the hot hitters and delivering pinpoint assists. But the 6-foot-3 senior is also a fine hitter. "He sees the court so well on both sides of the net," coach Stephanie Kaegebein said. "John does everything well." He distributed 491 assists, scored 208 kills, came up with 181 digs and had 48 blocks and 28 aces. He'll play club volleyball at Indiana.
Honorable mention
J.T. Ardell, Glenbard West, MH, sr.; Austin Bayner, Lake Park, MH, sr.; Sean Becker, Benet, L, jr.; Felix Egharevba, Naperville Central, MH, sr.; Chase Keating, Wheaton Warrenville South, OH, jr.; Sanchit Khaitan, Glenbard North, S, sr.; Jacob Kuczaty, Hinsdale South, OH, sr.; Collin McCarville, York, L, jr.; Elliott Myong, Waubonsie Valley, L, sr.; Matt Nealon, Metea Valley, S, sr.; Chase Olsen, Naperville North, MH, sr.; Danny Pineiro, Hinsdale Central, L, sr.; Ryan Schaner, York, S, sr.; Benett Schreiner, Wheaton North, RS, jr.; Connor Simchak, Benet, MH, sr.; Matt Smith, Glenbard East, OH, sr.; Jack Tischler, Downers Grove South, OH, sr.; Drew Vogin, Montini, S, sr.; Bryce Walker, St. Francis, MH, so.; David Zielinski, Addison Trail, OH, sr.