By Bobby Narang
One year after losing in the sectional finals, the Hinsdale Central High School boys volleyball team is aiming to make another run at the State championship.
The Red Devils, who won 21 of their first 26 matches, have been building toward another strong showing in the state tournament. Even with many returnees, Hinsdale Central head coach Tom Gilbert indicated it’s been a bumpy road at times this Spring.
“Going into the season, there were a lot of high expectations for this team,” Gilbert said. “They had a strong showing in the playoffs last year and with most of the starting lineup returning, many expected us to make a run to be the number one team in State. Just like every high school team, we hit some bumps in the road trying to figure out our team chemistry. Everyone put us as the team to beat, so it felt like every match those teams played to the best of their ability where we found ourselves reacting to a team’s energy level instead of proactively creating our own.”
Gilbert said his players have begun to play at a high level at just the right time of the season, embracing the high expectations and playing with more focus and consistency.
“Lately, we have found success in training ourselves mentally,” he said. “Mentally preparing at each practice and letting the players speak how they truly feel, so each teammate knows where they are at mentally…Our goal is simple: win state. To make that goal happen, every player needs to be 100% committed mentally and physically. Sacrifices must be made on and off the court and these boys know what it takes to make it happen.”
One of the reasons for the Red Devils’ solid play has been junior outside hitter Jakobi Lange. The USC (University of Southern California) recruit is the leader in kills (131) and aces (22) on the team.
Senior setter Matt Hughes has a team-best 318 assists, and Nick Kujalowicz leads the team with 82 digs and Ethan Du has 26 blocks.
“Jakobi has led our offense all season,” Gilbert said. “He has an amazing ability in reading the court and doing whatever it takes to complete his attack. He brings an intensity every match that shows his opponents that they better expect a fight every time they cross his path. Matt Hughes has been one of our leaders that every player on the team looks up to. Aiden Bonino is one of those players every coach hopes to have on the roster. No matter what position I put Aiden in, he won’t hesitate and will give it everything he has. Aiden brings a mature mindset that is rare at the high school level.
Gilbert said the Red Devils have relied on many contributions throughout the lineup
“Carter Lyons came into our season as an opposite hitter, but we had a hole in our lineup for the second outside hitter position,” he said. “After a few trials with some players, Carter has come out on top to be another offensive weapon we can rely on. He knows he will always be the target on serve receive, but Carter has done an amazing job this season on bettering his serve receive to fit his style of defense which resulted in him having the highest serve receive passing percentage on the team.”
• Meanwhile, West Suburban Silver Conference member Glenbard West is on track to make the final weekend. The Hilltoppers won 29 of their first 31 matches, including all four in Conference.
Glenbard West head volleyball coach Christine Giunta-Meyer said her entire team is motivated to win a State championship.
“It’s been difficult the past few years,” Giunta-Meyer said. “COVID really crushed me. I had a hard time figuring out my next chapter and was disappointed. This year, I’m trying to make up for it and then some. This team is tight and are friends on and off the court and we all work well together.
“I have some competitors on this team, and it’s really pushing me to make sure that they’re not complacent in any way.”