Boys volleyball: DuPage County all-area team
Jon Chiczewski, Naperville Central
The 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter has been a high-impact player since his freshman year. Chiczewski, though not the biggest outside man around, can leap, he has a fast arm swing and he’s adept at taking advantage of the holes in the block. He just finds different ways to score. “And the other teams know not to serve it to Jon,” said Naperville Central coach Jeff Danbom. “Because he usually delivers an accurate pass to the server. He’s a key to our team in so many ways.”
Alex Coyne, Neuqua Valley
Coyne, a 6-foot-3 senior and DuPage County All-Area team captain, moved in as the setter this year and led the Wildcats to a pair of in-season tournament titles and a trip to the sectional finals. A virtual coach on the floor, Coyne, who distributed nearly 700 assists, inspires great confidence among his teammates. “Alex is great at understanding his options. He keeps all the hitters involved and he keeps opponents guessing,” said Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza. Coyne will attend Dominican.
Kyle Dewyer, Willowbrook
This heady setter has been at the center of the Warriors’ success over the past two years. A captain and natural floor leader, Dewyer is a great communicator who runs a quick and balanced offense that gives opponents fits. “Kyle always keeps everyone on our team under control and on the same page,” coach Ryan Bazon said. “He’s a very intelligent player.” Dewyer handed out 759 assists, picked up 190 digs and also scored on 38 blocks and 47 kills. He will be go to Illinois State.
Alex Dickmann, Addison Trail
Dickmann is a right side who has the ability to take over a match, which he did on many occasions for the Blazers. He has a variety of shots and he rarely makes errors. He led the team in kills in every major match. And the 6-foot-3 sophomore is eager to improve. “He’s always asking what he can do to get better,” said Addison Trail coach Tom Hubner. “He’s respected so much by his teammates that he’s the first sophomore at our school who has even been elected as captain.”
Joey Farrell Glenbard East
This four-year varsity player broke the Rams’ all-time record for kills. This year he put down 423, and his dynamic all-around game also included 144 digs, 38 aces, and 26 blocks. The 6-foot-5 team captain has every shot and he makes plays no one else can. “Joey is one of the most competitive and talented players I‘ve ever coached,” coach Marci Maier said. “He has a passion for winning and he worked hard to turn himself into a complete player.” He’s headed to Penn State.
Pasquale Fiduccia, Glenbard North
Fiduccia is everything a coach would want in a setter. He’s smart and knows how to read the game. He has quick hands and quick feet. He can leap and he has superb lateral movement. The junior, who was all-DuPage Valley Conference, was equally comfortable in a 5-1 or 6-2 offense. “He’s uncanny at spotting our mismatches and he’s really competitive,” said coach Dedra DeBenedetti. “He runs the show on offense and he’s really consistent with his sets, getting everyone involved.”
Patrick Flood, St. Francis
Flood is small for an outside hitter at 5-foot-10 but he makes up for that in so many ways. A tremendous leaper, he was the Spartans’ kill leader with 316, and he added 42 blocks and 134 digs. He has amazing power and placement for his size and he hits every kind of shot. “Patrick is a great competitor who is especially good in the big games,” said St. Francis coach Mike Lynch. “He’s been a great leader and an example to our younger players of what hard work can accomplish.”
Tyler House, Waubonsie Valley
A three-year varsity starter, House took a step forward this year in part because he developed a variety of shots. He was proficient at tipping, hitting the corners and keeping the ball away from the block. His blocking, always a strength, was even better this year. House, who will attend Iowa State, was all-tournament at the Benet Invitational. “He’s one of the most complete players we’ve had in recent years,” said Waubonsie Valley coach Al Lagger. “And you always got his best effort.”
Dan Koch, Naperville North
Koch, a 6-foot-4 senior who was the Huskies’ big hitter, got better when the games got more important. He averaged 20 kills a match in four late-season contests. He scored on 396 kills, led the team with 41 blocks and he was second in digs with 195. He’s a true six-rotation player and outstanding from everywhere on the court. “Dan is a dynamic hitter with a variety of tempos,” said coach Nate Bornancin. “He can turn a game around on offense and he’s really underrated on defense.” He will attend Indiana.
Martin Krasuski, Metea Valley
A 6-foot-4 outside hitter, Krasuski, who has been a star for the Mustangs for three years, exploded this season into one of the top hitters in Illinois. He smashed 502 kills and showed his versatility with 159 digs. His effectiveness wasn’t a mystery. He hit with more power and more consistency and he moved the ball around. “He was challenged by double blocks and still got the points,” said coach John Aister. ”He has volleyball smarts to go with book smarts,” Krasuski will attend MIT.
Quin Krisik, Lake Park
Lake Park coach Tim Murphy was asked to name the worst match his junior setter Quin Krisik played all year and he couldn’t answer the question. “He was consistently steady and effective,” Murphy said. “He always goes for the challenge. He loves to turn bad passes into good sets. He always puts it right up there for the hitter.” The 6-foot-1 Krisik, had nearly 1,000 assists, he’s equally effective in the front and back rows, he’s the team’s leader on the court and he has a high volleyball IQ. And he is the team leader in aces. In short he’s a complete player.
Robbie Mead, Hinsdale South
Mead is the only returnee from last year’s Daily Herald All-Area team. Another of the smaller outside hitters, Mead put down 362 kills this year, giving him 805 for his three years on varsity. He’s a well-rounded and athletic player who does just about everything well. “He stepped up and played his best in our biggest games,” said Hinsdale South coach Bill Rasavongxay. “He can make all the shots and he sees the game like the libero he was.” Mead will be going to Dominican.
Brooks Nevrly, Downers Grove North
Nevrly was mentioned by several opposing coaches as the quickest player they’ve seen this year. But it isn’t just that quickness that makes him an outstanding libero. His knowledge of the game and his ability to read the attack give him the uncanny ability to know what’s going to happen before the shot is even made. “So many of our rallies were kept alive because of his defense,” said coach Mark Wasik. “And he’s a great leader.” Nevrly will go to Dominican.
Tim Robbins, Wheaton Academy
One of the more unheralded all-stars in DuPage County, Robbins was no secret to opposing players and coaches, who came away from the Warriors’ matches singing his praises. The middle hitter put down 140 blocks. He’s 6-foot-2 but his 36-inch vertical and big arm swing help him play as if he’s 6-foot-6. “He’s a very fiery and competitive player” coach D.A. Nichols said. “He has great hands and he’s given us terrific leadership.” Robbins will attend Lakeland College.
Zach Sinn, Wheaton North
Sinn, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, can bang the ball with the best and find the open spot on the floor. He was good for 230 kills, he’s a top-notch server for the Falcons, and he’s the most effective player in serve-receive. He was named to the all-DuPage Valley Conference team. “He carried us in many matches,” coach Rob St. Leger said. “He’s a great leaper, plus he’s an intelligent player who leads by example. Most of our three-set wins came when Zach had a big night.” He’ll attend Dominican in the fall.
Trevor Slonek, West Chicago
What a difference an off-season can make. Slonek, a middle hitter, worked hard in club volleyball over the past year and came back a much better player. He was quicker, came back with a variety of shots and just learned to play at a faster tempo thanks to the club season. He was the Wildcats’ go-to guy with 253 kills and 78 blocks. He also served 30 aces. “Trevor hits the ball as hard as anyone I’ve seen in the DVC,” said West Chicago coach Kris Hasty. He’s going to Dominican.
Jacob Stone, Glenbard West
A former setter, Stone brings that mentality to the outside hitter position. His court savvy helps him get to the right spot in a hurry. The 6-foot-3 senior has played every position. This year he registered 200 kills and 375 service points. He never missed a game and played in every rotation. “Jacob rarely makes hitting errors,” said Hilltoppers coach Christine Giunta. “He’s a great athlete and a true captain.” Stone will attend College of DuPage.
Nick Timreck, Downers Grove South
Granted, the Mustangs’ march to the state crown was a supreme team effort, but there could be no better representative of a title team than this dominating 6-foot-6 middle hitter. Timreck led the team in kills and blocks and served as team captain. His transition game hit another level this season. “Having a guy his size with his athletic ability was a big factor for us,” coach Kurt Steuer said. “He’s important on offense and defense and he drives other teams to distraction as they try to keep the ball away from him, which opens up opportunities for his teammates.” Timreck will attend Dominican.
Jared Wilcox, Wheaton Warrenville South
Wilcox, a 6-foot-6 junior, is an athletic right side with long arms and great leaping ability. He was the Tigers’ go-to guy with 321 kills and he often shut down the other team’s big hitter, putting up 70 solo blocks. “Jared has a great ability to read the attack and penetrate the net,” said Tigers coach Bill Schreier. “And he got better as the season went along,” His powerful jump-serve often sent the Tigers on big scoring runs.
Sawyer Yeazel, Benet
Yeazel was a three-year starter whose leadership made a difference for the young Redwings squad. His intelligence, aggressiveness and outstanding all-around play, earned Yeazel the East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year Award. He also delivered a strong and accurate serve. ”He’s not flashy,” said Benet coach Amy Van Eekeren. “But his maturity on the court can keep us up or bring us up when we’re down.” He will go to Purdue.