Scouting boys volleyball in Lake County
ANTIOCHCoach: Jamie Atkinson
Last season: 11-21, 5-5 in NLCC
Returning players: Kyle Jilly (Sr. Sr), Christian Ortiz (Sr. RS), Joey Whittall (Sr. RS), Nick Gagnon (Sr. DS), Landon Norkus (Sr. DS), Josh Nahti (Sr. MB), John Ware (Sr. MB), Dominic Scornavacco (So. OH)
Newcomers: Trevor Nizik (So. S), Austin Runyard (Jr. OH)
Outlook: With a veteran squad, look for the Sequoits to take the next step in the conference standings.
CARMELCoach: Kevin Nylen
Last season: 20-12, 5-3 in ESCC
Returning players: Mike Scott (Sr. MB/OH), Sean Sidel (Sr. L/DS), Camden Stuzel (Sr. MB), David Foecking (Jr. RS), Ryan McKenna (Sr. MB), Camden Colter (Sr. OH), Austin Brookings (Sr. DS), David Jakubek (Sr. DS), Quincy Johnson (Sr. DS), Alex Thiel (Jr. S)
Newcomers: Matt Herron (Fr. L), Anderson Ptasinski (So. OH)
Outlook: The Corsairs are led by 6-foot-7 Mike Scott, who was an All-Area selection last season and is a two-time All-ESCC selection. "We are excited about the level of talent on this team, but because we have so many new faces, it will take some time to put the pieces together," coach Kevin Nylen said. "Not only are the guys learning a new system but they are learning to play with each other, too."
GRANTCoach: Michele Keenan
Last season: 10-27, 5-5
Returning players: Derek Kolb (Sr. OH), Travis Kolb (Sr. Setter), Ian Fox (Sr. MB), Tavrarus Williams (Sr. MB), Tyler Benyak (Sr. Setter), Josh Ryczek (Sr. OH)
Newcomers: Drew Berwanger (Sr. MB), Xander Barillas (Sr. libero), Jon Bojanowski (Sr. OH), Jacob Andersen (Jr. OH), Tyler Carroll (Jr. OH)
Outlook: "Grant has 12 seniors and they are focused on winning more matches than ever before,'' Keenan said. "This team has great leadership and passion."
GRAYSLAKE CENTRALCoach: Dan Erlenbaugh
Last season: 12-15-2, 7-3 in NLCC
Returning players: Issac Dahlstrom (Sr. RS), Ethan Bond (Sr. OH), Emanuel Eugene (Jr. OH), Kaleb Patrick (Jr. DS)
Newcomers: Jake Flary (Jr. MB), Tyler Kalta (Jr. S), Jordan Kulis (So. OH)
Outlook: The Knights' young program keeps getting better. "This being our fourth season, I see this being our best team," coach Dan Erlenbaugh said. "We have a couple of players who have played club and are really starting to grow as volleyball players. Our conference is getting better as well. I hope that we are able to compete in our conference and fight for a conference title."
GRAYSLAKE NORTHCoach: Nikki Kirchway
Last season: 14-22, 3-7 in NLCC
Returning players: Jarod Hesse (Sr. RS), Sam Inman (Jr. L)
Newcomers: Teddy Gedville (Jr. RS), Nicholas LeBaron (Jr. OH)
Outlook: The Knights are looking for a bounceback season: "We have a solid corps of guys returning this season," coach Nikki Kirchway said. "Our goals this season are to work as a team, be competitive in every match and be consistent."
LAKESCoach: Kevin Glabowicz
Last season: 15-21, 8-2 in NLCC
Returning players: Connor Clowers (Sr. OH), Tyler Donovan (Jr. S), Ethan Metzelaar (Sr. MB), Broderick Solbrig (Jr. MB)
Newcomers: Ryan Cholewinski (So. MB), Benjamin Mercure (So. OH)
Outlook: The Eagles return a pair of All-Area players in outside hitter Connor Clowers (275 kill last season) and 6-foot-4 setter Tyler Donovan. "Lakes looks to capitalize on a young and experience roster that has grown significantly since 2018, coach Kevin Glabowicz said. "We will return seven our top eight contributors from last year's team."
LAKE ZURICHCoach: Lesly Ravenscraft
Last season: 10-23
Returning players: Bartosz Wielgos, Marcell Wiechnik, Lukas Pytlak, Evan Bajerski
Newcomers: Logan Schaedel, Justin Stewart
Outlook: The Bears have a veteran team, led by Bartosz Wielgos, who was an All-Area selection last year and returns for his fourth varsity season. "Our team is returning most of our players from last year," coach Lesly Ravenscraft said. "We should have a successful season, as our players are hungry to prove themselves."
LIBERTYVILLECoach: Jenny Smith
Last season: 33-6, 7-0
Returning players: Alex Weick (Sr. OH), Matt Apgar (Sr. MB), Brendan Duffy (Sr. MB), Patrick Graham (Jr. OH), Jack Stavakos (Jr. MB)
Newcomers: Ben Moss (Jr. MB), Johnny Palmieri (Sr. MB), Charley Schmitt (Sr. RS), Rylan Wiatrowski (Jr. RS), Danny Morrissey (Sr. S), Devin Hamilton (Jr. S), Patrick Loveland (Jr. OH), Chris Mack (Jr. OH), Cam Edwards (Jr. DS), Liam Ness (Jr. DS)
Outlook: The Wildcats graduated a load of talent, including All-Area Captain Jack Stevens (Ohio State), Brendan Cook and Ryan Winiger. "I guess we will battle it out the first half of the season," coach Jenny Smith said. "We have a deep bench of talent, but due to our senior-heavy team last season, not a ton of varsity experience."
MUNDELEINCoach: George Dressen Jr.
Last season: 17-16
Returning players: Marc Rey (Sr. MB), Martin Carrillo (Sr. RS), Eric Morales (Sr. OH), Tyler Vander Ploeg (Sr. MB), Moises Huerta (Sr. L), Sam Jeon (Jr. OH), Andrei Varanic (Jr. OH), Uvaldo Guzman (Sr. DS)
Newcomers: Andrew Gibbons (So. OH), Ty Braua (So. S), Rickey Osornio (Jr. MB), Talon Clasen (Sr. S), Craig Greene (Jr. OH), Joseph Zakariya (Sr. OH)
Outlook:
"We have a strong senior team,'' Dressen said. "With eight players from last year's team, they fast, full of energy and now have experience. No telling what we may be able to accomplish this season."
STEVENSONCoach: Eric Goolish
Last season: 27-10, 6-1 in NSC
Returning players: Will Sorenson (Sr. S), Justin Ross (Jr. MB), Gavin Meng (Jr. OH), Thomas Finn (Sr. OH), Ryan Travetto (Sr. DS), John Angelos (Sr. OH), Derek Peterson (Sr. S), Daniel Doczi (Sr. OH), Michael Gorokhovsky (Sr. MB), Derek Peterson (Sr. S)
Newcomers: Daniel Prindiville (Jr. MB), Michael Johnson (Jr. DS), Wally Wormser (Jr. OH), Andrew Keevins (Jr. S), Brad Grover (Jr. OH)
Outlook: Will Sorenson (All-Area last season) and Gavin Meng (All-Area honorable mention) lead the Patriots, who look to build on last season' success. "This group is incredibly well-rounded and athletic," coach Eric Goolish said. "We anticipate running many different lineup combinations for a good chunk of the year. We are very happy with our seniors who have progressed in the off-season."
VERNON HILLSCoach: Chris Curry
Last season: 17-20, 5-5 in CSL North
Returning players: Sammy Adkisson (Sr. L), Jack McDonald (So. OH), Krys Han (Jr. OH)
Newcomers: Josh Ludolph (So. MB), EJ Demas (So. S), Erik Giezycki (Fr. S)
Outlook: The Cougars return an All-Area player in senior libero Sammy Adkisson, who's been a varsity starter since his sophomore season. "We'll likely have three or more sophomores and two juniors in the lineup most of the time," coach Chris Curry said. "We've had only four seasons under .500 since the school opened. And I don't think these guys are going to have another one. They just work too hard."
WARRENCoach: Yun Chen
Last season: 21-15
Returning players: Alex Cretors (Sr. OH), Peyton Hines (Sr. RS), Taylor Vander Jeugdt (Sr. S), Christian McCaughey (Sr. DS), Joe Zdarsky (Sr. DS)
Newcomers: Logan Ackler (Jr. MB), Matt Catanas (Jr. MB), Blake Diehl (Jr. OH), Kevin Escalante (Jr. DS), Andrew Wagan (Jr. S), Jesse Knuckles (Sr. DS)
Outlook: The Blue Devils lost a lot of players to graduation but are ready to resume winning. "This group of guys is ready to step into the roles that were vacated by graduation," coach Yun Chen said. "We will be competitive."