vs Niles West #30

Team Overview

Niles West High School enters this May 30, 2026, postseason match as the #9 seed in their respective bracket. Based on the May 4 rankings from IllPrepVB, Niles West is currently ranked #30 in the state. The team was previously ranked #18 but dropped out of the Top 25 following the May 4 update. Based on available data from the IHSA playoff bracket, Niles West advanced to this stage of the tournament following the regional rounds. The roster is composed of a mix of six seniors and a significant junior class, providing a blend of veteran experience and developmental depth.

Key Players to Watch

• Kevin Scherba (#15): A junior middle hitter and opposite with a height of 6'5". Scherba is recognized in the college recruit database as a Class of 2027 prospect.
• Danny Zielinski (#11): A senior middle hitter with a height of 6'4". Zielinski provides veteran presence at the net.
• Luka Blagojevic (#12): A senior outside hitter and opposite with a height of 6'2". Blagojevic is one of the primary senior attackers on the roster.
• Mykola Vasko (#9): A junior setter with a height of 6'1", responsible for orchestrating the offense.
• Dorian Silo (#1): A senior middle hitter with a height of 6'3", contributing to the team's front-row height.

Tactical Strengths

• Front Row Height: Niles West features significant height in the middle hitter position. With Scherba (6'5"), Zielinski (6'4"), and Silo (6'3"), the team has the personnel to contest shots at the net and establish a consistent block.
• Positional Versatility: Several players, including Blagojevic (#12), Scherba (#15), and Lopez (#14), are listed at multiple positions (OH/OPP or MH/OPP). This suggests the coaching staff has the flexibility to adjust lineups based on situational needs or opponent matchups.
• Setting Options: The roster carries two setters with different physical profiles—Campos (#4) at 5'9" and Vasko (#9) at 6'1"—allowing for potential tactical shifts in the offense.

Tactical Vulnerabilities

• Recent Ranking Decline: The team’s drop from #18 to outside the Top 25 in early May indicates a period of inconsistent performance leading into the playoffs.
• Statistical Uncertainty: There are no season statistics available on MaxPreps for Niles West. This lack of data makes it difficult to verify the team’s offensive efficiency, service accuracy, or serve-receive reliability.
• Defensive Stature: While the front row is tall, the defensive specialists and liberos on the roster, such as Pruess (#2), De Vera (#3), and Barraca (#7), have heights ranging from 5'5" to 5'7". This may present a challenge when defending against high-velocity attacks that penetrate the block.

Opponent Analysis: Lake Park

Lake Park enters this match following a 2-0 victory over Taft (25-20, 25-21) on May 28. Based on season data, the following identifies their primary contributors:

• Offensive Engine: Ethan Schnabel (#7) is the high-volume attacker for Lake Park, recording 318 kills on 724 total attacks over 84 sets. While his kill total is the highest on the team, his efficiency in the last match against Taft was lower, recording 4 kills on 17 attacks for a .059 hitting percentage. Nolan Cocat (#18) was the most efficient attacker in the last outing, recording 6 kills on 11 attacks with a .455 hitting percentage.
• Defensive Anchor: Anthony (AJ) Bellavia (#4) leads the team in floor defense with 313 digs on the season. At the net, Nolan Cocat (#18) is the primary defender with 93 total blocks (16 solo, 77 assisted).
• Lake Park Performance Trend: In their last match, Lake Park demonstrated balanced scoring, with Timmy Johnson (#11) contributing 5 kills and Eric Gerber (#12) adding 4 kills. The team recorded 5.0 total blocks in the two-set win over Taft, with Cocat accounting for 2.5 of those blocks.