Size, skill mark All-Area team

Members of the Sun-Times All-Area boys volleyball first team include (front row, from left) Brian Thorp, Kevin Padden, Jake Blackman, Larry Wrather, Billy Vydra, Joe Ascher, (back row, from left) Andrew Gulik, Player of the Year Dan Mader, Eric Daliege, Matt Pollock, Eric Hardek and Ryan Schuette.
(Jean Lachat/Sun-Times)

May 29, 2008 BY PHIL BROZYNSKI

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Size, skill and success characterize the 2008 Sun-Times All-Area boys volleyball team that features Player of the Year Dan Mader of state quarterfinalist Glenbard East.

Mader, a 6-5 setter/outside hitter bound for Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, led his team to the DuPage Valley Conference title. He has some impressive company.

Buffalo Grove earned a Mid-Suburban League title, a top-10 ranking and a berth in the state quarterfinals behind 6-6 outside hitter Joe Ascher. Ascher amasssed 325 kills, 74 blocks and 25 aces during the regular season. His 184 digs were testament to his all-around ability.

"Joe is an unbelievably hard worker who is never content," Bison coach Matt Aiello said. "He wants to be the best volleyball player possible. Joe challenged himself to become a great all-around player this year."

Upstate Eight champion Neuqua Valley counts on go-to guy Jake Blackman, who had 258 kills, 22 aces and 24 solo blocks. Blackman's calm demeanor should not be construed as lack of intensity.

"Jake plays all out for every point of a match, no matter who the opponent is," coach Erich Mendoza said. "Even though Jake led our team in kills and aces, he was always humble about his accomplishments."

Providence was No. 1 thanks to 6-7 middle Eric Daliege. The Loyola-bound senior missed the first four matches with an ankle injury, but had 186 kills, 42 blocks and 32 aces.

Lyons' 6-4 senior Andrew Gulik is one of those quiet players who lets his actions speak for itself. The three-year varsity standout finished the regular season with 369 kills, 27 blocks, 29 aces and 99 digs.

Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne is getting a winner in Wheaton Warrenville South's Eric Hardek. A key player on last year's state champions, the 6-4 senior outside led the Tigers back to the state finals with 327 kills, 53 blocks and 32 aces. A second-team All-Area choice in 2007, Hardek is a two-time unanimous all-DuPage Valley selection.

The Tony Lawless Award goes to the best player in the Catholic League. Daliege shared that honor with Brother Rice's Kevin Padden, a two time All-Area selection.

"Kevin is one of the most gifted athletes in our program's history," coach Paul Ickes said. "Kevin is a three-year varsity outside hitter and starter who can hit amazing angles with his lateral jumps, thanks to eight years of gymnastics training."

Sandburg produces some of the best players in Illinois, and 6-9 Matt Pollock continues that tradition. The Pepperdine-bound senior compiled 220 kills and 90 blocks during the regular season for the Southwest Suburban Conference champions.

Warren boasts Ryan Schuette, a 6-5 senior outside hitter who had a 30-2 record in matches played in Illinois. Schuette amassed 295 kills, 62 blocks, 25 aces and 91 digs.

Lincoln-Way Central's Brian Thorp did everything except dig his own kills. The do-it-all 6-1 senior had 548 assists, 131 kills, 183 digs, 244 service points and 59 blocks during the regular season.

Glenbrook North has not lost since March, and the person most responsible is 6-2 senior outside hitter Billy Vydra. Vydra led the state quarterfinalists in kills (242), kill percentage (.423) and aces (42).

Lake Forest's Larry Wrather might be the team's most powerful player. The 5-11 senior's attacks and serves produced 309 kills and 49 aces during the regular season.

FIRST TEAM

Joe Ascher, 6-6, Sr., OH, Buffalo Grove

Jake Blackman, 6-1, Sr., OH, Neuqua Valley

Eric Daliege, 6-7, Sr., MH, Providence

Andrew Gulik, 6-4, Sr., MH, Lyons

Eric Hardek, 6-4, Sr., OH, W.W. South

Dan Mader, 6-5, Sr., S/OH, Glenbard East

Kevin PAdden, 6-4, Sr., OH, Brother Rice

Matt Pollock, 6-9, Sr., MH, Sandburg

Ryan Schuette, 6-5, Sr., OH, Warren

Brian Thorp, 5-11, Sr., S, Lincoln-Way Central

Billy Vydra, 6-2, Sr., OH, Lake Forest