FIRST TEAM
Matt Arens, Lockport, senior, outside hitter: SouthWest Suburban Blue’s player of the year had 234 kills, 115 digs, 28 blocks. Second team all-state. Committed to Lindenwood.
Gavin Akoto, Argo, senior, middle hitter: South Suburban Red’s player of the year had 121 kills, 31 blocks, 27 digs. Committed to Vassar.
Jeremiah Burden, Sandburg, senior, setter: Had 330 assists, 100 kills, 110 digs, 15 blocks. All-conference in SouthWest Suburban Blue. Committed to Juniata College as a libero.
Marty Canavan, Marist, sophomore, right-side hitter: Finished with 162 kills, 50 blocks, 65 digs in varsity debut. Invited to U.S. national team development program.
Zach Carroll, St. Rita, senior, outside hitter: Helped Mustangs to third straight state quarterfinal appearance with 209 kills, 30 aces, 16 blocks, 14 digs. Fourth team all-state.
Evan Dziakowiec, Lockport, freshman, setter: First serve in state quarterfinals was an ace. Had 415 assists, 107 digs, 22 aces. Special mention all-state.
Kevin Fiedler, Brother Rice, senior, outside hitter: Totaled 251 kills, 47 blocks, 38 aces. Had 26 kills against Lockport. Committed to Mount Mercy.
Kenyon Haynes, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, setter: Had 398 assists, 37 blocks. Committed to Edward Waters College for inaugural season in 2022.
Owen Morrow, Lincoln-Way East, senior, setter: Missed first 10 matches with an illness but came back and led Griffins to fourth place in state with 378 assists, 84 digs. Committed to Dominican.
Ian Nicholson, Lincoln-Way East, senior, middle/outside/right-side hitter: Played all three hitting positions as team battled injuries. Had 146 kills, 113 digs, 15 blocks. Committed to North Central College.
Nyherowo Omene, Marist, senior, outside hitter: Monster season with 302 kills, 73 blocks, 38 aces, 175 digs. First team All-American. East Suburban Catholic Conference’s player of the year. Committed to Princeton.
Jimmy Sanders, St. Rita, junior, libero: Had 310 digs. Third team all-state and all-league in Catholic Blue.
SECOND TEAM
Jared Byas, Lincoln-Way East, junior, outside hitter: Missed few weeks toward end of season, but finished with 112 kills, 86 digs. All-conference by SouthWest Suburban Blue.
Danny Chambers, St. Rita, junior, setter: Led Mustangs to state quarterfinals for third straight season with 448 assists, 108 digs.
Jack Dryfhout, Chicago Christian, junior, setter: Had 242 assists, 30 blocks, 29 aces for second-year program.
Owen Knezevich, Lockport, senior, right-side hitter: Had 110 kills, 56 digs for first Elite Eight appearance in program history. Committed to St. Norbert.
Jason Kougan, Lincoln-Way East, senior, middle hitter: Strong presence with 76 kills, 46 blocks, .302 hitting percentage. Committed to Dominican.
Ryan McDonald, Lincoln-Way West, senior, right-side hitter/setter: Dominant at the net with 99 kills, 51 blocks, 44 assists. Committed to Trine.
Neil Riggio, Marist, senior, setter: Had 432 assists, 151 digs, 25 aces as Redhawks went 25-3.
Carter Steffgen, Lockport, senior, outside hitter: Had 119 kills, 114 digs for state quarterfinalist. Committed to Trine.
Connor Studer, Lincoln-Way West, sophomore, outside hitter: Had 138 kills, 38 blocks, 145 digs as Warriors won SouthWest Suburban Red and regional titles.
Thomas Suchecki, St. Laurence, junior, libero: Had 244 digs, 21 aces. Average of 6.1 digs per set rated one of best in country, according to St. Laurence’s coaches. All-league in Catholic White.
Mike Uldrych, Marist, sophomore, middle hitter: Had 118 kills, 65 blocks. Selected to U.S. national team development program.
Kyle Wagner, Sandburg, junior, libero: Had 184 digs, 15 aces. All-conference in SouthWest Suburban Blue.
HONORABLE MENTION
Nevin Adams, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, outside hitter; Andrew Birsa, Joliet Catholic, junior, middle hitter; Zak Bowden, Sandburg, junior, middle hitter; Dante Cobbs, Tinley Park, senior, middle hitter; Michael Conroy, St. Laurence, senior, setter; Matt Cordova, De La Salle, senior, outside hitter; Charlie Flynn, St. Rita, junior, middle hitter; Michael Greco, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, outside/middle hitter; Jon Guch, Lincoln-Way East, junior, right-side hitter; Patryk Harkabuzik, Oak Lawn, senior, outside hitter; Will Hinchliffe, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, setter; Carter Holbrook, Joliet Catholic, sophomore, libero; Sean Hollander, Brother Rice, senior, setter; Ryne Jacobsen, St. Rita, junior, right-side hitter; Gavin Kissane, Sandburg, junior, outside hitter; Bryan Maida, Lockport, senior, libero; Ramon Martinez, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, libero; Matt Monahan, Marist, senior, libero; David Mulica, Argo, senior, setter; Damian Pardol, Argo, senior, outside hitter; Kyle Pietrzak, Marist, senior, right-side hitter; Sam Szafoni, Lincoln-Way East, junior, libero; Grant Veldman, Chicago Christian, junior, outside hitter; Jake Welninski, Oak Lawn, middle hitter, senior.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
