Despite losing eight players from last season due to graduation, the Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity boys volleyball team is off to a terrific start, winning its first eight matches this season. The latest Huskies’ victory occurred on April 5, 25-21, 25-9 at Carmel Catholic.
Among OPRF’s early season highlights are winning the Oswego Invitational March 29. The Huskies, who have dropped only two sets so far this season, defeated Geneva, Machesney Park Harlem, Rockton Hononegah, and Yorkville to win the tournament for the second consecutive season.
OPRF has seven returning players from last season’s 25-10 sectional finalists: sophomore outside hitter Jimmie “Trayce” Chrusfield III, junior middle hitter Wesley Kochendorfer, junior defensive specialist Alex Lema, junior libero Gus Leman, junior setter Matthew Proskey, senior libero/defensive specialist Stuart Lippincott, and senior middle hitter Gavin Martin. The Huskies have a pair of promising junior newcomers: libero/defensive specialist Sander Adelstein and outside hitter David Diakite.
Adelstein, Chrusfield, Diakite, Martin, and Proskey are on the Junior Volleyball Association’s watchlist for potential honors this season.
OPRF is in the midst of a five-game road stretch. Following a game at West Suburban Silver rival Lyons Township, April 8 (after deadline), the Huskies visit Marist, April 10, and end the trip at East Avenue neighbor Fenwick, April 14.
Fenwick
Fenwick opened the season with a 29-27, 16-25, 25-21 victory over visiting St. Rita, April 1. Senior setter Brian Riggs had 26 assists, senior middle/outside hitter Will Griswold had nine kills, and junior middle hitter Conor Hanley had eight kills.
The victory is one that Fenwick head coach Kate Whitman, in her 19th year, hopes will lead to a much better season. Last year, the Friars struggled with a 5-16 record. But Whitman feels the experience gained will pay off now.
“I’d say our early strength is experience,” she said. “Five players from last year’s starting rotation are returning, and three of them have been on varsity for three years.”
Riggs made the Chicago Catholic League White All-Conference team last season with a team-leading 178 assists and 18 aces. Griswold led Fenwick in blocks with 24 and was second in kills with 58, and senior libero Aidan Soule led in digs with 79.
Fenwick’s other returnees are Hanley, senior right hitter Dom Tortorello, junior defensive specialist Johnny Cox, and junior outside hitter Gael Jimenez. Freshman middle hitter Esteban Jimenez is expected to be the Friars’ top newcomer.
“We’re trying out a new system this year so we’re working out some of the kinks,” Whitman said. “But I think that it’s something that will work for us once we get into a rhythm.”
Among the highlights of Fenwick’s schedule is a home match against OPRF, April 14, and the Fremd Tournament, May 9-10. Regarding the CCL White title race, Whitman feels it’s wide open.
“We lost a lot of very close games last year, so I think that the division title could be a good fight this year,” she said.
Whitman also hopes for better lineup consistency. The Friars were forced to play multiple lineups last year due to injuries and illness, and she hopes having better health leads to more regular results.
“If we can stay consistent as a group, that will allow us to continue improving as the season goes on, rather than having to start over with every new lineup,” Whitman said.
Fenwick hosts Payton Prep, April 9, then visits Nazareth Academy, April 10.