By Joey Gelman
Since the start of the spring, Lane Tech boys volleyball had a feeling that this could be an unforgettable year.
“I always believed we could be great,” senior Liem Doan said. “We had the physicality, we had the athleticism, the experience… I began to understand that we did have what it took to make a state run… I knew that we had it in us to take it this far.”
Led by four seniors in Forrest Durnbaugh, Tate Myatt, Evan Schulman and Doan, the Champions set their expectations high as they competed all year, beginning the year with a #15 ranking in the state, securing the 2025 Chicago Public League City Championship, and making history as the first boys volleyball team in CPS history to advance to the IHSA State Semifinals after defeating Wheaton Warrenville South.
Lane competed but fell in a hard-fought battle against eventual state champion Marist in the IHSA State Semi-Finals, and proudly took home the third-place trophy, after defeating O’Fallon in two sets (25-21, 25-14), clinching the victory on an ace by Myatt.
“It’s been a great season, I’m really happy we made it this far, I’m proud of everyone, ending it on an ace, it’s just really nice, “ Myatt said.
“It’s a great way to end the season,” head coach Amy Wallace said. “There’s only two teams that get to end on a win, and we’re one of them.”
Wallace’s coaching career at Lane began with this class of four seniors, setting a new tone and culture for the program.
And a fitting end to this senior group’s performance today was the presence of not just their varsity team, coaches and families on site, but the entire 45+ person volleyball program, cheering on their teammates, student-athletes and kids.
“They’re a really special group,” Wallace said. “I can say what I want to be the culture but you [the players] had to set the tone and buy in. Without you [the seniors] it was never going to happen. I could not be more appreciative of them. This program is what it is because of those four seniors.“
While the biggest physical takeaway from this tournament is the official IHSA Third Place State trophy, the best finish ever for a CPS Boys Volleyball team, according to the players, it’s something more.
“It’s good for the future [Lane] programs, they’re going to know that they’re now a good team/program,“ Myatt said. “They know about us now, they used to think of us as just a city school, but now we’re the real deal.”
Lane Tech is now on the boys volleyball map, and does not show signs of slowing down. While the four seniors graduate, the team is full of inspiring underclassmen, ready to continue the legacy of the core four.
“A lot of these guys are like my brothers, so it is hard for me to say goodbye,” said Doan. “ But hopefully I’ll get to watch some of my juniors play next year and maybe they will do better than we did!”
And as the team looks towards the summer and sustaining its success, the 2025 team will forever be etched in the history books in the city and state.
“I told them, no matter what happens after this, you will forever be the team that did it first, and no one can take that away, no one can ever top that. It will forever be your names first. I’m really proud of them,” Wallace said.
