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player ready...Pioneer Press takes a look at the Loyola, New Trier, Christian Heritage Academy, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South and Evanston boys volleyball programs at the start of the new season.
Loyola
It’s been more than two decades since the Loyola boys volleyball team played in its only state tournament in 1994.
Not only does Ramblers coach Lionel Ebeling believe he has the team to make trip No. 2, he said his squad is ready to win the program’s first state championship.
“We’ve been talking about it for two years,” said Ebeling, who’s in his 11th season. “It’s a goal of ours, to win the state title.”
Loyola has experience, talent and size.
Senior outside hitter Connor Kreb and senior setter Jack Talaga both were all-Catholic League Blue selections a year ago. Senior Jakub Mazurek, a 6-foot-7 middle hitter, is considered one of the best at his position in the state, according to Ebeling. All three are entering their third varsity seasons.
“This is definitely one of the best teams I’ve ever had,” Ebeling said. “What makes it the best is our depth. We have no real weak spots.”
Loyola, which won a program-record 34 matches last year, has captured three regional championships in a row and played in two consecutive sectional finals. In 2013, the Ramblers’ season ended with a loss to Glenbrook South. Last spring, Loyola lost in the sectional final to New Trier, which is one of the top teams again this season.
But the Ramblers graduated David Wieczorek, arguably the best player in the Chicago area last season and now a freshman outside hitter at Pepperdine.
Even still, Ebeling likes his team’s potential.
In addition to the three, three-year players, the Ramblers also return senior Max Haberkorn and senior Thomas Martin. The 6-7 Haberkorn is moving from middle to right-side hitter, while the 6-4 Martin is back at middle.
“We have our eyes on New Trier, on winning sectional and getting to the state tournament,” Ebeling said. “We are playing at a high level right now, and I think we only will get better as the guys continue to play with one another.”
New Trier
Sue Ellen Haak has coached a lot of successful teams. In her first 13 seasons, she’s made three trips to the state tournament, including one last season.
Haak said this year’s group is no different.
“I would expect that we should be one of the top teams in the state, and this will be one of our strongest squads,” she said.
The Trevians finished 30-7 and 9-1 in the Central Suburban South a year ago. Senior Dante Chakravorti returns for his fourth varsity season. The 6-2 setter had 660 assists last year. His top target is expected to be 6-1 senior hitter Henry Levee.
Defensively, the Trevians will count on senior libero Brian Hammes, who had 280 digs, and senior middle Andrew Sommer, who finished with 64 blocks.
Christian Heritage Academy
In its third season as a full IHSA member, the boys volleyball program at the Northfield school has the most team members (18) it has ever had, according to coach Jeff Cook.
While the team lost five starters from a 10-12 club, senior outside hitter John Patterson, senior outside Daniel Thomas and senior right-side hitter Jeremiah Kim all return to the varsity for a fourth season. Junior Jackson Scalero, a three-year player, is back at setter.
“I feel really good with where we are at as a program,” Cook said. “We are not a big or tall team, but we have a high volleyball IQ. We do what we can to keep the ball in play. We should be competitive again, especially with the schools that are close to our size.”
Glenbrook North
Although the Spartans return only one starter from last season’s 21-14 club that went 9-1 in the CSL North, coach Chris Cooper said he still expects good things from the young and inexperienced squad.
Senior middle Rob Chatterton should be the go-to player on offense again this spring after he led Glenbrook North with 286 kills as a junior.
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Other attackers to watch include junior middle John Simon and junior outside hitter Jeremy Doman, according to Cooper. Junior Joe Ferber, junior Dillon Balk and sophomore Danny Voronov all are in the mix at setter.
Glenbrook South
Two seasons removed from playing at the state tournament, the Titans should be competing for one of the top spots in the CSL South, according to coach Tim Monahan.
After finishing 18-16 and tied for second in league play at 5-5 a year ago, Glenbrook South welcomes back four starters in senior outside hitter Wesley Blodig, senior middle Paul Rafalo, senior libero Shan Kadalimattom and junior setter Alex Freidinger.
Evanston
Last spring, the Wildkits struggled to a 14-23 mark that included a 3-7 record in the CSL South, but there is reason to believe a better season is in order.
Senior setter Eitan Sondak, the team’s assists leader a year ago, is one of seven players back with varsity experience. Junior middle Isaac Sageman and junior outside hitter Charlie Knepper also are in that group.
Twitter: @harnesspreps