Lincoln-Way East brings back the most experience, but can reigning state champion Marist reload on the fly?
Top 10 Teams
1. Lincoln-Way East (32-7): Division I programs are already looking at junior outside hitter Carter Geiger, while senior right-side hitter Grant Urban and junior middle Nick Klawitter also were starters last season. Urban, who has committed to Wisconsin-Whitewater as kicker in football, knows all about pressure situations.
2. Marist (40-2): Graduation hit hard for 2025 state champions. Briggs Corona, a 6-foot-6 junior outside, offers the most experience and can give opposing defenses fits. Michael Forbes and Nicholas Larson will be relied on in the middle. St. Barnabas star outside Max DeHoyos will be thrown into the varsity fire as a freshman.
3. Brother Rice (30-8): Crusaders graduated 11 seniors but return plenty of size in 6-5 senior outside Colin Nye, 6-6 junior middle Alex Ramirez and 6-4 senior setter Ben Adamski. They will be aiming for a repeat after winning the Catholic League Blue last year with a 9-0 record.
4. Lincoln-Way Central (25-14): Veteran Homewood-Flossmoor assistant Matthew Small takes the reigns as head coach. Junior setter Braeden Fiore will have plenty of good options to choose from in senior outsides Ben Pryor and Declan Garvey, senior right-side hitter Joey Vellenga and senior middle Aiden Schindler.
5. Oak Lawn (24-11): With six players returning and eight coming up from an unbeaten junior varsity team, the Spartans could be a force this spring. Senior outside Marco Budzak is strong on both offense and defense, while Nikola Dukic can play middle, outside and right side.
6. Lincoln-Way West (19-18): Colin Baikie, an outside who tallied 152 kills and 179 digs last year, leads strong junior class. The Warriors graduated eight seniors, but coach Jodi Frigo isn’t calling this a rebuilding year. Keep an eye on junior middle David Neylon and senior outside Mason Thompson.
7. Sandburg (36-5): Eagles got taste of state quarterfinals for the first time since 2016 and are looking for more. Senior setter Easton Donausky is closing in on 2,000 career assists. Ethan Cleofe has developed into strong libero. Hitting will be unknown factor early as Zadok Judd returns with the most kills from last season with 63.
8. Stagg (21-15): Senior libero Charlie Zeiler, a four-year varsity player, is one of best in state at his position. Junior outside Michael Kos led the Chargers offensively. John Kos, his freshman brother, will be looking to earn playing time as a middle or outside.
9. Lockport (15-20): Last season was rare down year for Porters but most of the regulars are back and have gained experiences. Three seniors — outside hitter Hunter Fash, middle Austin Williams and right-side hitter Aiden Morgan — put up 122 or more kills in 2025.
10. Lemont (11-19): Aidan McIntyre, a 6-5 senior who’s back in the middle after a year on the outside, could be key as team hopes to send out retiring coach Chris Zogata out in style. Senior libero Michael Tilly and sophomore setter Kevin Collins provide plenty of experience.
The 25 Players to Watch
• Colin Baikie, Lincoln-Way West, junior, outside hitter.
• David Barlow, Marian Catholic, senior, outside hitter/middle hitter.
• Oliver Bilik, Shepard, junior, outside hitter.
• Marco Budzak, Oak Lawn, senior, outside hitter.
• Briggs Corona, Marist, junior, outside hitter.
• Easton Donausky, Sandburg, senior, setter.
• Charlie Farrell, Evergreen Park, junior, middle hitter.
• Braeden Fiore, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, setter.
• Michael Forbes, Marist, junior, middle hitter.
• Sean Gagen, Andrew, junior, setter/right-side hitter.
• Aydan Garcia, Joliet Catholic, senior, outside/right-side hitter.
• Carter Geiger, Lincoln-Way East, junior, outside hitter.
• Luke Herrmann, Chicago Christian, senior, setter/right-side hitter.
• Surendran Heyward, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, outside hitter.
• Nick Klawitter, Lincoln-Way East, junior, middle hitter.
• Aidan McIntyre, Lemont, senior, middle hitter.
• Nathan Mungcal, Tinley Park, senior, setter.
• Colin Nye, Brother Rice, senior, outside hitter.
• Sebastian Pardol, Argo, senior, outside hitter.
• Michael Pigott, St. Rita, senior, outside hitter.
• Yahir Silva, T.F. United, senior, outside/right-side hitter.
• Evan Topel, St. Laurence, senior, middle hitter.
• Omar Torreblanca, Providence, junior, outside hitter.
• Austin Williams, Lockport, senior, middle hitter.
• Charlie Zeiler, Stagg, senior, libero.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
