By all accounts, last season was highly successful for the Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity boys volleyball team. The Huskies finished with a 31-5 record and won their first West Suburban Silver title since 2010.
Yet there is one thing missing from the program’s accomplishments over the years – a state championship. With 10 returning players, including one of the state’s top juniors, OPRF has their sights set on that peak.
“This team is one of the more passionate, high-level teams I’ve ever coached, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this year,” said OPRF coach Justin Cousin, now in his sixth season.
The Huskies started the year in impressive fashion with a 25-12, 25-14 home victory over Morton, March 23. Junior outside hitter Trayce Chrusfield III, a three-year varsity player who is one of Illinois’ top Class of 2027 prospects, led OPRF with six kills. Senior middle hitter Will Enlow had four kills, senior middle blocker Wesley Kochendorfer three kills, and senior libero Gus Leman four digs.
Chrusfield, Kochendorfer, Leman, and senior setter Matthew Proskey – a McKendree College signee, are returning members of last year’s All-WSC Silver Team. Moreover, Chrusfield was named to the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-State First Team, with Proskey named to the Second Team and Leman garnering Honorable Mention.
Other OPRF returnees are Enlow, senior libero Rohan Champaneri, and senior outside hitters David Diakite, Henry Hullinger, Alex Lema, and Henry Ohlhoff. Varsity newcomers are juniors Emmett Clifford, Nathan Kane, Lockwood Sims, and Andrew Wieland, and senior Javi Grillo.
Notable highlights on OPRF’s schedule include the Brophy College Prep Invitational in Arizona, April 10-11, and the Lincoln-Way East Invitational, May 1-2, when, Cousin said, “We will play top teams in the nation.”
The Huskies, ranked eighth nationally and second in the Midwest Region in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association/USA Today polls, won’t get any breathers in the WSC Silver.
“The conference is looking strong with Glenbard West, York, Downers Grove North, and Lyons Township being top teams,” Cousin said.
He added that OPRF can compete with any team if his guys play hard and have a selfless attitude.
“The top priority of the season is to take every game step by step and not have any expectations besides working hard and working together,” Cousin said.
OPRF is back in action against Lyons, April 7, at 6 p.m. in the field house.
Fenwick
With only three returning varsity players, the Friars have an uphill battle in improving from last season, which ended up 3-20 (1-6 in Chicago Catholic League).
This season began inauspiciously for Fenwick with two losses – at home to Mount Carmel, March 24, and at Niles Notre Dame, March 26. But coach Kate Whitman, in her 20th season, is optimistic.
“We are a very young team with only two seniors, and five sophomores in our starting rotation, but I think we have a lot of potential,” she said. “The young talent on our team, combined with our senior leadership, should improve greatly as we spend more time on the court together throughout the season.”
Fenwick’s returnees are senior libero Johnny Cox, junior outside hitter Jack Mullins, and sophomore outside hitter Esteban Jimenez. Newcomers are sophomores Kevin Chandler, Jimmy Clarkson, Leon Miljanovic, and Dani Sostarecz; juniors Eric Agullana, Julio Alvarez, Will Doody, Evan Gonsalves, and Matthew Villegas; and senior Jack Ortiz.
“Because of our youth and inexperience,” Whitman said, “we need to not let ourselves get discouraged with mistakes or setbacks. There’s a big learning curve; even the few returning players are adjusting to a new offense different from what we played last year.”
The Catholic League is one of the toughest conferences in the area with several state contenders. This year, the Friars are in the White Division alongside De La Salle, IC Catholic Prep, and Montini Catholic.
“A big goal for us is to win the division, but overall I want to see improvement and the ability to come together as a team,” Whitman said.
Indeed, more than anything, if Fenwick can begin to develop cohesiveness as a unit, the future is bright.
“Although it is a very different look from last year, I have high expectations for this group,” said Whitman, “but I think they’re ready and willing to rise to those expectations. My senior captains, Johnny Cox and Jack Ortiz, are patient with the newcomers, but also aren’t afraid to hold everyone accountable. And they all seem to be having fun, which is honestly one of the most important things in high school sports in my opinion.”
Fenwick returns to the court against visiting IC, April 14, at 7 p.m.