State Champions: GBN Boys Volleyball Finishes Off Perfect Season

NORTHBROOK, IL — Following a perfect season, the Glenbrook North High School boys volleyball can boast about being the best team in the state. The Spartans (25-0) capped off one of the strongest seasons in program history with a 2-0 win over Lake Park Saturday in the Illinois High School Association boys state volleyball championship game in Roselle

It was a first state title for coach Chris Cooper, who has been at the helm for GBN for the past 18 years.

"I think what made this group special was their ability to buy into their roles and put all they had into those roles," Cooper told Patch. "They were unselfish and just played and practiced for each other."

GBN also won the a state title in 1993.

In the finale with the Lancers (25-2), the Spartans won the first game (25-22), dropped the second (18-25), before winning the third and deciding game by a score of 25-19. GBN only lost two games during its entire postseason run and five total for the season.

According to Cooper, among the major motivators for the 2021 squad was a sense of owing it to last year's group of seniors, who were unable to play due to the season's cancelation due to COVID-19.

"As for the season, I knew we might have something special pretty early on," Cooper said. "We played some good teams early and had success and in some cases without all our starters. It was great to know that we had depth and that we had people that could come off the bench and we would continue to play at a high level."

Depth is what Cooper said the team needed during the final weekend of play. Three outside hitters were all used and played great during the 2-0 semifinal win over Lincoln Park-East and against Lake Park.

"I guarantee you Lake Park would have loved to have another outside hitter the quality of ours. We literally had three outstanding kids in that spot," Cooper said. "Finally, I can't say enough about this group's ability to stay so focused and pull together in such a strange year. All 15 kids were a pleasure to be around and coach this season."

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER FOR GLENBROOK NORTH BOYS VOLLEYBALL

No. 1 — Paul Wysznski, junior, libero

No. 3 — Matt Liaukevicius, junior, libero

No. 4 — Ryan Trout, senior, middle hitter

No. 5 — Zach Uhlig, senior, defensive specialist/outside hitter

No. 6. — Dylan Wang, junior, defensive specialist/outside hitter

No. 7 — Eli Joselit, junior, setter/defensive specialist

No. 11 — Louie Batang, senior, setter

No. 12 — Masn Durst, senior, outside hitter

No. 13 — Klaud Rydzy, senior, middle hitter/right-side hitter

No. 14 — Abhi Lakkamsani, senior, outside hitter/opposite hitter

No. 15 — Charlie Chemers, senior, defensive specialist/setter

No. 16 — Grant Kosla, junior, middle blocker

No. 17 — Nick Gundrum, junior, middle blocker

No. 18 — Yoel Gros, senior, outside hitter

No. 19 — Peter Bazianos, senior, outside hitter

Coach: Chris Cooper