Boys volleyball is back! How do some of our coaches see their seasons going? Check out their responses!
*All coaches were contacted multiple times for this feature. Those responses are below.
School name: Alcott College Prep
Last season’s record: 10-6 (9-0 Conference)
Returning starters (name, class):
Joaquin Gomez – Senior
Ismael Rey Pontillas – Senior
Anthony Ayala-Mendoza – Senior
Yaroslav Slupskyi – Sophomore
Daniel Velasquz – Sophomore
Top newcomers (name, class):
Santiago Sandoval – Freshman
Mason Aguilera – Freshman
Lucas Domaso – Freshman
Maksym Kuzyshyn – Freshman
Christian Cration – Senior
Coach’s season outlook:
Our varsity team went undefeated in conference play last season as we won the Green North Conference. This is our first year playing in the Red North Conference, the highest achievement for our volleyball program ever. This season is going to be difficult, but our goal is to stay in the Red North and qualify for City Playoffs.
School name: Juarez
Social media handle: @bjcavolleyball
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Jesus Flores- Junior, OH
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Antonio Perkins- Senior, MB
Bryan Hernandez- Junior, S
Domanick Carrillo- Junior, MB
Camilo Moreno- Delgado- Sophomore, S
Luis Leal- Sophomore, OH/RS
Games to watch:
Amundsen 4/2
Solorio 4/3
Nazareth 4/16
Coach’s season outlook:
Last season was a tough one, but every challenge we faced has made us stronger and this team is ready to turn the page. We’ve put in the work during the offseason, focusing on fundamentals, team chemistry, and mental toughness. Our goal isn’t just improvement—it’s to compete at the highest level and bring home a conference championship.
This year, we have a group of athletes hungry to prove themselves. We’ve refined our strategies, strengthened our defense, and built an aggressive offensive system to put pressure on our opponents. The players are embracing the grind, pushing each other every day in practice, and holding themselves to a championship standard.
We know nothing is given—it has to be earned. But with the effort, energy, and commitment this team is showing, we’re confident that this season will be a different story. Expect to see a team that fights for every point and leaves everything on the court.
School name: Kenwood
Returning Players:
Senior Andre Madison – OH – committed to Mount Mercy University
Junior Zia Rivera – L
Senior Eric Stoddart – OH
Senior Mario Dominguez OPP
Senior Axel Palacio – MH
Junior Aiden Williams – DS
Sophomore Asa Young -OH
Senior Khamari Brown – MH
Junior Joshua Nicholson – S
Sophomore Owen Frederic
School name: Lane Tech
Last season’s record: 29-10
Social media handle: LaneTechBVB
College commits: Tate Myatt (Saint Francis University)
Returning starters (name, class, position, stats and honors (if any)):
Tate Myatt – Senior – MB/OH
Liem Doan – Senior – OH
Evan Schulman – Senior – OPP/OH
Martin Nguyen – Junior – S – 2024 Second Team All-State
Richy Barwicki – Junior – OPP
Will Ports – Sophomore – DS/S
Returning non-starters (name, class, position, stats):
Forrest Durnbaugh – Senior – OH
Mohamed Abdelradi – Junior – MB/OH
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Carver Forsman – Sophomore – MB
Gray Jimenez – Junior – MB
Lukas Carlson – Sophomore – DS
Games to watch:
Oak Park River Forest – May 8th
Wheaton Warrenville South Invitational – April 17/19
Lincoln Way East Invitational – May 2/3
Coach’s season outlook:
Lane has been steadily building over the past few seasons, raising the bar each year, and this team is no exception. With seven returning Varsity players, we have a dynamic group of attackers ranging from 6’2″ to 6’9″ and a two-year returning setter. Their intensity, will to win, and physicality are apparent in the gym. This team looks to be a formidable force this season.
School name: Little Village
Last season’s record: 6-5-2 (Overall), 6-3 (Conference)
Social media handle: @lvlhs.boysvolleyball
Returning starters (name, class, position:
Michael Nedvar – Senior – MH
Jacob Salgado – Senior – Setter
Christopher Avalos – Senior – OH
Adrian Mazon – Senior – OH
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Ronald Sang – Senior – Setter
Brian Aguilar – Senior – OH
Jose Corona – Senior – OH
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Felipe Aguilar – Junior – MH
Pablo Rodriguez – Junior – RSH
Brandon Villagromez – Junior – OH
Sergio Suarez – Junior – L
Hector Saldana – Junior – L
Angel Aguirre – Junior – OH
School name: Payton College Prep
Last season’s record: 25-14 – 3rd in CPL Conference – IHSA Elite 8 Finish State Finals
Social media handle (if comfortable sharing): paytonbvb
Returning starters (name, class, position, stats):
Alexander Dragoshanskiy – Senior – Setter (384 Assists, most in single season. 35 Aces and 152 Digs)
Jason Beerkens – Junior – OH (144 Kills)
Nicholas Kallos – Junior – Libero (237 Digs, most in single season)
Returning non-starters (name, class, position, stats):
Justin Zhang – Senior – DS
Jashan Dalal – Senior – MB
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Jackson Peters – Sophomore – OH
Cole Raub – Sophomore – OPP
Games to watch:
Payton vs Whitney 4/8
Payton vs Jones 4/29
Payton vs Lane 5/1
Coach’s season outlook:
I am looking into a great future for the Payton Grizzly Boys VB team this year and years to come. I am hoping to continue to build off of the excellent first year I had with this group of young men. We stayed close to some great competition and we finished in the IHSA Elite 8 of state playoffs. That is nothing easy and it is not short of amazing in what these young men can put their minds to. We are a younger team this year and we are looking to keep the momentum and keep the Payton Boys VB Program growing. One day we will bring a state trophy home.
