Boys volleyball: DuPage County all-area team

Andrew Achenbaugh

Glenbard East

This 6-foot-2 outside hitter is the Rams' co-MVP and their emotional leader on the floor. His dramatic kills raise the energy of the entire team. As a junior Achenbaugh played only in the front row but worked hard on defense and passing in the offseason to become an all-around player guy. He scored on 306 kills and 48 blocks and contributed 142 digs. "He came in this year with a lot more shots he couldn't hit the previous year," said Glenbard East coach Marci Maier. He'll play volleyball at Carthage College next year.

Danny Boryca

Naperville North

Opponents have already learned to avoid serving to this junior libero. Boryca has made it his trademark to come up with big digs against big players. He's already broken the school single-season dig record with 320. He's never out of position. A great communicator, Boryca provides the team with both emotional inspiration and he keeps everyone composed. In practice he sets the tone for hard work. "Fearless is the perfect word for him," said Naperville North coach Nate Bornancin. "And he's one of the smartest people on the court."

Thomas Culligan

St. Francis

The choice of many coaches as the top libero in Illinois, Culligan's motto could be "let no ball hit the floor." With 510 digs he was the anchorman on a very effective Spartans defense. A student of the game, Culligan has an uncanny ability to read the hitters and usually gets to a spot before the ball. "Other have to react," said St. Francis coach Mike Lynch. "Thomas anticipates where the ball is going and his quickness and fearlessness take over from there." He was named MVP of the Benet Invitational.

Bodie Ebergeny

Wheaton Warrenville South

Ebergeny, a senior outside hitter who can dominate a match when called upon, is probably the best "other guy" in the state. He's a perfect complement to Eric Luhrsen, contributing more than 250 kills on a variety of shots. He was also a stabilizing force on defense with 170 digs. As a co-captain, he provides leadership, flair and an infectious energy. "Bodie is an excitable guy who can really get things going," said Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier.

Mike Kreiser

Lake Park

If hard work and volleyball IQ were the only two standards for evaluating players, Kreiser, a full six-rotation player, would be an all-star. But this senior leaper brings so much more to the table. Small for an outside hitter at barely 6-feet, Kreiser is constantly striving to improve through practice and time in the weight room. On the court Mike always does the right thing instinctively," said Lake Park coach Brad Baker. "There's no way we would have been successful the past two years without him." He'll play volleyball at Clark College.

Eric Luhrsen

Wheaton Warrenville South

In his three years on varsity, which includes two state titles and a second-place finish, the 6-foot-5 junior has played middle, right-side and this year he was found on the left. He's a true go-to guy who wants the volleyball at the end of a game. He led the Tigers with more than 400 kills and he came up with about 200 digs. "He has great lateral ability, can read the offense and has a special knowledge of the game," Schreier said. "He'll stay on the left side and be the cornerstone of our team next year."

Graham McIlvaine

Hinsdale Central

"Graham has mastered every skill on the court," said Hinsdale Central coach Len Serwat of his 6-foot-6 setter, who is so much more than an All-Area setter. He's got a great vertical, he's extremely quick and agile for his size, he has soft hands and he runs everything down. McIlvaine led the Red Devils with 218 kills, 646 assists and 27 aces. He was second with 139 blocks and he came up with 169 digs. "For as talented as he is, he's very coachable," Serwat said. "And he's a great leader." McIlvaine will play volleyball at Ball State.

Kevin McGinnis

Glenbard West

McGinnis is a cool customer who comes up big in big matches. He's always in the right spot at the right time. The junior libero, who played setter as a sophomore, brings a setter's quarterback mentality to the floor. He's the director of the Hilltoppers defense. "Kevin can read the hits and he usually tells his teammates where to go," coach Christine Giunta said. "And if they don't do it, he goes and gets it himself. He calls the shots on the floor." He's also proficient from the service line and led the team in aces.

Joe Mordell

St. Francis

This lefty right-side hitter, who scored on 284 kills, has the full arsenal of shots. And it his ability to see the court and deceive the opposition that allows him to deliver the big kill with consistency. He's also grown into a top-flight defender and blocker. "Joe is our most complete player," coach Mike Lynch said. "He has great hand-eye, he's very quick and he understands the game." Mordell, a natural athlete who also plays baseball and football, has developed his skills to an all-star level without the benefit of playing club volleyball.

Greg Petty

Downers Grove North

Petty is simply "the man" for Downers Grove North. The 6-foot-5 junior who is The Daily Herald All-Area team captain, can dominate a game as a hitter and he has the athletic ability to succeed in all other aspects of the game. His passing and defense have developed to the point where he can play any position on the court. "Nobody reaches higher or hits harder than Greg,"' said Downers Grove North coach Mark Wasik. "And he can hit every kind of shot." Petty excels in the classroom, as well, with a full schedule of advanced placement classes.

Mark Roberts

St. Francis

Roberts was pressed into emergency setter duty as a junior when former All-Area player Mike Segneri was injured. This year the 6-foot-4 senior emerged as one of the top setters in the state. He had more than 1,300 assists, and was a threat all-around with 126 kills, 128 digs and 58 solo blocks. He's a quick thinker and his direction gave the Spartans one of the quickest and most varied offenses in the state, and helped them to a landmark season. "With a setter like Mark, we can run a lot more things," Lynch said.

Buddy Steinhaus

Downers Grove South

"When your best player is your best leader, you don't have a problem," said Downers Grove South coach Tony Nevrly. Steinhaus, a 6-foot-3 senior is a tremendous leaper, who can spark long runs with his exciting kills and still play under control. He's a dangerous outside hitter who can carry a team on his back and a powerful blocker with a great sense of the game. He's also a standout at passing and defense. "Buddy's leadership inspires the guys around him," Nevrly said. "He's probably the most determined player I've ever coached."

Jon Storm

Neuqua Valley

This high-flying junior outside hitter was the Wildcats' go-to guy in his first year on varsity. He led the team in kills with 223 and that's just the beginning of what he brings to the table. He's one of the primary passers, plays great defense and gives the team a good blocker on the strong side. And he can get his teammates fired up. "If there is someone who can lead us to state and take us to the next level next year, it's Jon," said Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza.

Phil Szuck

Downers Grove South

A three-year starting setter, Szuck has developed into a student of game. He has the ability to play as a setter in the 6-2 offense, while also taking on both blocking and hitting duties. "Phil understands what's going on defensively," coach Tony Nevrly said. "He keeps the hitters happy and he knows how to attack a defense." The 6-foot-2 Szuck has worked hard to make himself a great defensive player. "We want our setter to be a leader," Nevrly said. "Phil was thrown into that position as a sophomore and he's been our quarterback ever since."

Ryan Thill

Naperville Central

The 6-foot-5 senior is the prototypical middle hitter: quick, agile, intelligent and explosive. Thill had two kills for every three balls he was set and finished the season with 226 kills and 87 blocks. A quiet leader both on and off the court, Thill is calm and collected and lets his game speak for him. He can read the setter, make adjustments, get to the outside and get off his feet quickly. "Ryan got better throughout the season as our sophomore setter developed a connection with him," said Naperville Central coach Bryan Johnwick.

Chris Thompson

Glenbard West

For Thompson, who was often the only Hilltoppers senior on the floor, this was a volleyball coming-of-age year. A former defender, the 6-foot-4 outside hitter developed into a fierce offensive threat who led the Hilltoppers with 253 kills despite being double-teamed most of the time. A great athlete, Thompson was a starter on the Glenbard West basketball team. "Chris can hit any shot from anywhere on the court," Giunta said. "Last year he was just a banger. This year he was the total package." Thompson will play club volleyball at Butler.

John Walgamuth

Downers Grove North

His coach, Mark Wasik, calls senior libero Walgamuth "the best passing player I've ever coached." At an un-libero-like 6-foot-4, Walgamuth came up with 257 digs and had a 98.2 serve-receive percentage. "He can cover a lot of the court with his reach and court sense, without relying on his feet," Wasik said. "He's also the second-hardest hitter on the team." A three-year starter and a vocal team leader, Walgamuth also brings all the intangibles. He'll attend Ohio State and walk on to the volleyball team.

Robert Wieland

Waubonsie Valley

After playing Waubonsie Valley most opposing coaches came away with high praise for Wieland, the team's powerful 6-foot-7 senior right-side and the Warriors most consistent player. He was a key to the team's late-season winning streak, highlighted by his 15 kills in the win over Lake Park, that gave the team a share of the Upstate Eight Conference title. "He plays with intelligence, gives us the big hit and has become a great passer," said Waubonsie coach Al Lagger.

Eric Wilkins

Wheaton Warrenville South

Wilkins is in the tradition of great Tigers setters Doug Burchett and Joe Kelly. However those two were setters throughout high school while Wilkins was switched from libero as a senior primarily to capitalize on his natural leadership skills. All Wilkins did was lead the team to a second-place finish at state, dishing out more than 1,000 assists. At 6-feet-2 he's also a fine blocker and he's a consistent server. "Eric has that edge as a competitor that Doug and Joe had," Schreier said. "The willingness to lay it all out on the line."

Shane Witmer

Naperville North

Witmer likes big kills and he likes to celebrate. At 6-feet-3 this junior isn't the biggest outside hitter in the state, but he's one of the most exciting and most consistent. He's a great leaper who can deliver the kill that breaks the opposition's resolve and he is one of the best at finding the open spots across the net. "He's not all about pounding," Bornancin said. "There's not a shot he doesn't have and he moves everywhere quickly." He had 348 kills for the season. Witmer also takes more than his share of the team's passing load and finished the season with 144 digs.

Honorable mention

Addison Trail: Armin Trgo, OH, jr.; Benet: Luke Ladowski, OH, so.; Bobby Wehrli, OH, so.; Downers Grove North: Zach Parik, S, so.; JP Tulacka, MH, so.; Downers Grove South: Tony Coglianese, L, sr.; Sam Kull, MH, jr.; Glenbard East: Peter Wingard, L, sr.; Glenbard West: Matt Lepold, MH, jr.; Hinsdale Central: Ryan Vozenilek, OH, sr.; Lake Park: Pat Proctor, OH, sr.; Naperville Central: Matt Neufeld, MH, sr.; Naperville North: Sam Wilson, OH, sr.; Neuqua Valley: Alex Blackwell, S, jr.; Johnathan Rychly, OH, sr.; St. Francis: Steve Howe, MH, sr.; Waubonsie Valley: Russell Penicook, OH, sr.; West Chicago: Leo Bartyzel, OH, jr.; Wheaton Warrenville South: Matt Wilkins, OH, sr.; Willowbrook: Eric McCarthy, L, jr.

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<li><a href="/pdf/dupageboysvolleyballfront10.pdf">DuPage Co. all-area team Page 1</a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/dupageboysvolleyballteam10.pdf">DuPage Co. all-area team Page 2</a></li>

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