By Jeff Vorva
Correspondent
With the IHSA boys volleyball state semifinals and finals championships held on the same day, the round of four tends to get overshadowed once the smoke clears.
But Marist’s 28-26, 26-24 semifinal win over Glenbard West in a battle of two of the top five teams in the nation, according to the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association, was a classic, and RedHawks junior outside hitter Nathen Toth had a field day with 16 kills.
His performance did not go unnoticed.
The Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association (IVCA) in conjunction with the Great Lakes Volleyball Region named Toth the State Finals MVP.
Marist’s Christian Teresi and Rorey Donnelly, and Lyons’ Luka Kostic made the all-tournament team.
All-Staters
The IVCA and Illinois Prep Volleyball named their all-state boys volleyball teams, and the area was well-represented.
The IVCA named Teresi and Kostic to its first team.
Toth, Lyons setter Tommy Culver and Sandburg’s Jeremiah Aro made the second team. Lyons’ Zachary Ruiz, Marist’s Luke Brannigan and Sandburg’s Myles Aquino were selected to the third team.
Chicago Christian’s Sam Jager and Ian Faber, Sandburg’s Will Ashum, and St. Laurence’s Sebatian Corral, Ryan Elliott and Dylan McKeon received honorable mention.
The Illinois Prep Volleyball website and Sports Performance volleyball club released its team, which had Teresi on the first team and Kostic and Toth on the second team.
Aro and Brother Rice’s John Mikrut received honorable mention.
Aquino, Brannigan, Faber, Brother Rice’s Zach Mikrut and St. Rita’s Aidan Peloquin received special mention recognition.