:quality(70):focal(949x461:959x471)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/SRD22THA4FDHNHWY7GAZIPGS5A.jpg)
The boys volleyball season is underway. Here are previews of teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.
Benet
The Redwings return five seniors and three juniors from a team that was 7-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and advanced to the sectional finals before losing to Glenbard South.
Back for new coach Hector Cano are seniors Thomas Galbraith, Anthony Komick, Nick Gonnella, Andrew Stocker, Brendan Geraci and Dom Krzeczkowski and juniors Aris Maurukas, Reed Hefley and Jacob Olejnik. They will be joined by juniors Joseph Torrico, Ryan Pecak, Matt Swiatkowski, Shane Walsh and Benus Rauduve and sophomore Lukas Carlson.
“Marist is the team to beat in the conference,” Cano said. “We want to run various tempos and give our kids opportunities to grow and develop.”
Downers Grove North
The Trojans (29-10, 4-2) return seniors Adam Janowiak, Lincoln Geist and Gavin Reina along with juniors Aiden Akkawi and Quinn Leahy to a team that made the sectional finals. Coach Mark Wasik adds senior Tommy Kroczka, junior Dylan Quinn and sophomore Aaron Grey to the roster.
“We lose both outside hitters but we reload with capable athletes,” Wasik said. “This conference [West Suburban Conference Silver] is mixed with top teams in the state.”
Downers Grove South
The Mustangs (28-10, 6-0) were undefeated in the West Suburban Conference Gold behind seniors Jordan Tan and Connor Lynch and juniors Matt Piotrowski and Jordan Parrot. Coach Kurt Steuer welcomes sophomore Linas Kasperiunas to this season’s roster.
“We are returning varsity experience,” said Steuer, who is 276-125 in 11 years. “We are incorporating new setters to run our offense. They are gaining experience at the varsity against top teams in the state.”
Glenbard East
The Rams (25-13, 7-1) lost in the regional final to Lyons, which placed second in the state.
Glenbard East will be led by 6-foot-8 senior Aidan Welton, a two-year all-conference performer and George Mason recruit.
Senior setter Jack Junior, a three-year starter, and seniors Danny Overlin, Brayden Smith and Payton Strieve are back for coach Kelly Markworth, who adds senior Lance Mueller and freshman Glorie Emma
“A majority of starters are back, which will support the new talented players.” Markworth said.
Glenbard West
The Hilltoppers (40-2) defeated West Suburban Conference Silver rival Lyons to win the 2023 state title.
Glenbard West returns All-State senior Adam Graham. Senior all-conference performers Xzavian Willett, Andrew Ellis and Jack Anderson also are back.
“We want to go point by point,” said coach Christine Giunta Mayer, who has a 557-143 record in 19 years. “We want to maintain a high standard and have a strong mentality. We want to stay in control every practice and game. We play in a difficult conference. Three of the four teams in the Final Four were from the conference.”
Hinsdale Central
The Red Devils, who are led by All-State senior outside hitter Matt Ruth, lost in the sectional finals to conference foe Lyons a year ago.
Senior Omer Naveed and junior Harry Hughes, who were all-West Suburban Conference players, are back. Sophomores Ken Reodica, John Lynch, Everett Howorth and Dane Beringer have joined the team.
“We graduated nine seniors and have a lot of new players,” said coach Tom Gilbert, who has a 58-20 career mark in three years. “We are beginning a rebuild. Glenbard West is talented again. The conference is arguably the toughest in the state.”
Hinsdale South
Seventh-year coach Joe Lencioni returns three all-conference players – seniors Quinn Marron and Nate Ockrim and sophomore Tomas Lobias.
Lyons
The Lions went 35-7 last year and took second in the state in the program’s first state appearance since 2005. Luka Kostic, a 6-foot-6 senior outside who was second on the Lions in kills last year, is back. Also returning is Zaccary Ruiz, a 6-foot senior who led Lyons in digs, and senior setters Carson Turner and Tommy Culver.
Montini
Youth will be served for the Broncos (5-22, 0-6) this year.
Senior Hunter Ross and sophomore Nolan Kwiatkowski are back. Joining the team are sophomore Michael May and freshmen Fred Conforti and Charlie Brunson.
“This is the youngest team I have had in eight years,” coach Brian Opoka said. “We will start two freshmen and two sophomores. We are not very deep. We hope to finish in the middle of the pack in the conference.”
St. Francis
The Spartans (28-10) lost to Hinsdale Central in the regional finals a year ago.
Seniors Gavin Gonzalez, Nick Madden, Eddie Muller, Chris Rojas, Krish Manek, JT McCormick and Kyle Zediker, along with senior newcomers Aaron Cook, Mike Powell, Mike Globe and Matt Shales, will lead the way.
“Guys are pushing themselves to play at a high level,” coach Mike Lynch said. “We will be fun to watch and should improve throughout the season. We have the majority of our lineup back. We want to be conference champs and make a deep run in the state playoffs.”
Timothy Christian
The Trojans start their first year in the Chicagoland Christian Conference. Timothy Christian finished 6-2 last year in its final season in the Metro Suburban.
Coach David Barker’s troops lost to Wheaton Warrenville South in the regional quarterfinals.
Back are all-conference performers seniors Ty Van Latten and Jon Tameling along with juniors Owen Wise and Trevor Munk.
“We want to win the conference and advance in the state playoffs,” Barker said. “We are ready to compete against multiple bigger schools.”
Wheaton Warrenville South
Veteran coach Bill Schreier welcomes back all six starters including three all-staters from a team that posted a 21-15 record and 4-2 DuKane Conference mark (second place). Schreier has a career 688-218 record.
Back are all-staters seniors Joey Kelly and Joey Kohley along with sophomore Simon Bratt, seniors Quinn Harty and Trevor Paige and junior Mergen Purevsuren.
Senior Brian Dickinson and junior Mark Gheorghita also are in the mix for playing time.
“We had growing pains last season with younger players,” Schreier said. “We want to get back on track with a good mix of seniors and underclassmen. We have a ton of experience. We hope to reap the benefits. We are on the verge of a very competitive season.”
Willowbrook
The Warriors (5-20, 2-3) lost to Glenbard East in the first round of the regionals. They bring back seniors Carter Ferguson and Andrew Giesinski.
“We want to win the West Suburban Conference Gold, which will help prepare us for the state tournament,” coach Ed Delacruz said.
York
The Dukes (30-7, 3-3) have six returning starters and 10 players overall, leading to some lofty goals in 2024.
All-staters sophomore Ben Brown and seniors Luke Shorter and Jack Bute are back along with all-conference selection Logan Rice plus seniors Zach Brown, Jack Zitek, Collin Harrington, Owen Reifenrath, Abe Cobalerro and Charlie Meadows.
York was upset in the regionals by West Aurora last year.
“The top three teams in the state are in the WSC Silver,” said coach Ken Dowdy, who has a 247-154 mark in 13 years. “It is hands down the best conference in the state. We are lucky to participate in it. Our schedule is tougher. We are playing elite teams like Riverside Brookfield and Lincoln-Way East and in the Best in the Midwest Tournament in Indianapolis.”