The Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Boys Volleyball Team

Paulie Bischoff, Glenbard West

By consensus Bischoff is the best volleyball player in Illinois. He is the heart and soul of a team that won two consecutive state titles, racking up 761 assists, 162 digs, 109 blocks, 100 kills and 32 aces. "Paulie is in charge on the floor," said Hilltoppers coach Christine Giunta-Mayer. "His mental game has risen to a whole different level." Bischoff will play volleyball at Stanford.

Alex Bryk, Naperville Central

The 6-foot tall senior libero was a major factor in the strong defense the Redhawks displayed all season. His 252 digs more than doubled those of his closest teammate. His passing rate was 2.20. He also served for 28 aces. "Alex was our most consistent player," coach Roger Strausberger said. "He was always flying around on defense keeping balls alive. And we relied on defense to force the other team into errors." Bryk was all-DuPage Valley Conference.

Alex Carr, Wheaton Warrenville South

Carr, a 6-foot junior who excelled as a first-year starter, is next in the line of outstanding Tigers setters. Carr dished out 934 assists and added 230 digs and 51 solo blocks. He's a perfectionist who has the ability to "better the ball," turning a difficult passes into great sets, and he's an outstanding defensive player. "Alex puts in the extra time in the film room to make himself and his team successful," coach Bill Schreier said.

Will Church, Glenbard West

The 6-foot-4 middle is a three-year starter who is appreciated by coaches, teammates and opponents even though he may not get the attention given to teammates Bischoff and Kotsakis. This year he stepped up with 121 kills and 113 blocks. "He's one of the smartest middles we've had," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "Will can read the setter and communicate with his wings. He's calm on the floor, but he can raise his emotional level of play when needed."

Parker Connelly, Downers Grove South

Connelly is an ideal middle hitter. He's quick at the net, has "unbelievable" pin-to-pin foot speed and a long wingspan. A great blocker, the 6-foot-5 junior is also an asset on offense and a vocal leader. He gave the Mustangs 162 kills and 31 solo blocks. "He really can get out and close those blocks," coach Kurt Steuer said. "He's a smart player who understands the game and even helps us make adjustments during a match."

Nosa Egiebor, Hinsdale South

One of the most underrated players in DuPage County, Egiebor was a standout for the Hornets, but many opposing coaches recognized his high-quality play. The 6-foot-4 senior right side led the team with 322 kills and 61 blocks. His outstanding physical ability and volleyball IQ made him a threat to score from a variety of positions. "And his leadership skills are equal to his athleticism," said assistant coach Bobby Springer.

Jack Fischer, Lake Park

One of several undersized outside hitters on the All-Area Team, Fischer, a junior, more than compensates for his height. He's 5-foot-10, with off the charts volleyball skills and technique. He amassed 320 kills and also had 40 blocks, 55 aces and 250 digs as he led Lake Park to its third straight final-eight finish. "He reads the game like a coach," said Lake Park coach Tim Murphy. "He has quick hands and his swing is much harder than you'd expect. He's the rock of our team."

Brandon Gorzela, Glenbard North

This is the second year on The Daily Herald All-Area Team for this energetic, 5-foot-10 Panthers outside hitter. He's been a varsity captain for three years and made all-DuPage Valley Conference the past two. His 262 kills, 48 aces and 168 digs were instrumental in his team's success. "Brandon is an athletic and dynamic all-around player," coach Dedra DeBenedetti said. "He has great skills, he's consistent and he's a leader both on and off the court."

Tyler Greene, Glenbard East

Greene, a 6-foot-senior outside hitter, can do it all. As one of the few veterans on the young Rams, that was his job description. Both a power and a finesse hitter, Greene, an excellent leaper, led the way with 265 kills and added 108 digs and 22 blocks. "He was a steadying influence, vocal leader and did whatever was necessary to help the team," coach Marci Maier said. He'll play at Hope International.

Ben Hamsho, Wheaton North

Hamsho established himself as an all-time Falcons great. The 6-foot-6 middle smashed 301 kills for the year and a Falcons all-time record 465. He had 136 digs, unusual for a big middle and 32 aces, 62 total. He can go up there with the best, touching 11 feet. "Ben fulfills everything that a coach can want in a player," coach John Noe said. "He's a great leader and role model."

Casey Hiller, Naperville North

Hiller, who will play at North Central College, is a student of the game. At 6-foot-6 he is one of the dominant middles in the area. He's a battler who sets the tone in practice and has developed a variety of shots. His 66 blocks was a team high, and he became an offensive force with 143 kills. "Casey can be intimidating at the net," coach Nate Bornancin said. "He gets up high, moves quickly and he's one of the smartest players we've had."

Charley Hlavin, Downers Grove South

The quick, powerful 6-foot-5 Hlavin developed into one of the top right sides in the state this year. He's a great leaper who covers a lot of ground and always seems to be in the right spot. He led the Mustangs with 216 kills and had 31 solo blocks. "He has great court sense," coach Kurt Steuer said. "He always knows what we have to do and what the other team is doing."

Michael Jennings, Naperville North

Even with opposing teams game-planning for him all season, Jennings, a powerful 6-foot-4 outside hitter, peppered the floor with 276 kills with a .302 efficiency rating. He's a second-year All-Area guy who's a threat to score from anywhere even against double- and triple-teams. "Michael is fearless on the court and he's a vocal leader," said Huskies coach Nate Bornancin. "He keeps us in every match."

Kyler Kotsakis, Glenbard West

Kotsakis has been among the best right-side hitters in the state for three years and this season his defense was just as impressive. He led the state champion with 222 kills and also produced 41 blocks, 91 digs and 32 aces. "Kyler is the guy who fires everyone up and produces the game-changing points," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "He sees what's open and knows where to place the ball." The 6-foot-5 Kotsakis will play for Loyola.

Logan Ladowski, Benet

Ladowski is the ideal libero who has quick feet, great court awareness and excellent anticipation. His digs often led to game-changing points. The scrappy 5-foot-10 senior finished the year leading the Redwings with 398 digs and passed at a 2.38 clip. "Logan's great passing allowed us to run a varied offense, coach Amy Van Eekeren said. "He covers a lot of the court in both serve-receive and defense."

Zack Meyer, Wheaton Warrenville South

Meyer, a repeat All-Area choice, finished his senior season as the Tigers' all-time kill leader with 1,318, 520 this year. And he added 167 digs, 41 blocks and 35 aces. The 6-foot-4 outside hitter is a fast-twitch player who gets on the ball quickly. "He has improved in all facets of his game," said Tigers coach Bill Schreier, "and his leadership was an important part of our team's success." Meyer will play at Lewis University.

Timmy Pisarski, St. Francis

This prolific 6-foot-2 outside hitter was the senior class valedictorian. His intelligence, skills and desire to be the best have translated to volleyball success. He was voted the Spartans MVP with 317 kills, 216 digs and 61 aces. "Timmy is a great natural athlete with a great work ethic," coach Mike Lynch said. "He excels in every aspect of the game and he's a thinker on the court who picks up on everything quickly."

Jackson Van Eekeren, Benet

The 6-foot-6 setter put up impressive numbers in every category. He had 786 assists, but he also came up with 198 digs, 76 kills, 65 blocks and 38 aces. His smooth delivery made him hard for opposing blockers to read, and he distributed consistently to a variety of hitters. "Jackson did an excellent job running our offense," coach Amy Van Eekeren said. "He was a great blocker and an impact player on offense." Jackson Van Eekeren will play volleyball at Hawaii.

Trent Weber, Glenbard North

Weber is one of the great junior setters to emerge in DuPage County this season. His 885 assists came from his setting up multiple hitters throughout the season. He also had 136 digs and served for 52 aces. He was all-DuPage Valley Conference, and his on-court smarts and leadership were keys to the Panthers' showing in the DVC. "Trent has really taken his game to another level," coach Dedra DeBenedetti said. "I look forward to next year and his running the offense as a senior."

Jake Wendell, York

Wendell is a second-year All-Area choice. This 6-foot-3 Dukes captain and outside hitter was both academic and volleyball all-West Suburban Silver. This year he contributed 241 kills with a .337 hitting percentage. "Jake can take over a game," said York coach Ken Dowdy. "He's one of the smartest players I've coached. He is great at reading the defense, placing a variety of shots, and his strong back row attack has taken his game to another level."

Honorable mention

Ross Behr, West Chicago, OH, jr.; Adrian Cebula, Glenbard East, MH, jr.; Mark Harrison, Wheaton Warrenville South, RS, jr.; Matt Johnson, Naperville Central, OH, sr.; Bobby Krissinger, York, OH, sr.; Brian Long, Downers Grove North, MH, jr.; Justin Martin, Neuqua Valley, L, sr.; Nick Martinski, Lake Park, MH, so.; Jack McGuire, St. Francis, S, jr.; Alec McKinney, Metea Valley, OH/MH, sr.; Justin Murphy, Glenbard East, OH, jr.; Kannon Nelms, Addison Trail, MH, sr.; Zac Norvid, Glenbard West, L, jr.; Brandon Peterson, Waubonsie Valley, OH, sr.; Shivam Savani, Glenbard North, MH, sr.; Matt Scruggs, Glenbard West, MH, jr.; Connor Sheehan, Naperville North, L, jr.; Ian Walsh, Willowbrook, MH sr.; Johnny Winkler, Glenbard West, OH, jr.; Justin Yost, Lake Park, S, jr.