vs Oak Park-River Forest

On June 05, 2026, the IHSA boys volleyball playoffs continue with a high-stakes matchup between Oak Park-River Forest High School and Lake Park High School. The match is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Bolingbrook. Oak Park-River Forest enters the contest as the #1 seed in their bracket, while Lake Park holds the #4 seed. The winner of this match will advance further into the state series, moving closer to the championship rounds held on June 6.

Team Overview

Oak Park-River Forest (OPRF) enters this matchup as the #1 ranked team in the state of Illinois according to the May 4 rankings. They currently hold a season record of 19-4-1. OPRF earned its place in this round of the playoffs by navigating a bracket that included victories over #17 Hinsdale Central and #9 Burbank (Reavis). The Huskies have maintained a high level of performance throughout the season, highlighted by a first-place state ranking and a victory in the Downers Grove South finals against Wheaton Warrenville South. Based on available ranking data, OPRF has consistently remained in the top three programs in the state since the mid-season updates.

Key Players to Watch

• #21 Matthew Proskey (Sr., S): Standing at a height of 6'2" (roster) or 6'3" (Top 100 list), Proskey is the primary playmaker for the Huskies. He is ranked as the #6 player in the Illprepvb Top 100 for 2026. His role as a setter is critical to orchestrating an offense that has kept OPRF at the top of the state rankings.
• #6 Jimmie Chrusfield III (Jr., OH): A 6'2" outside hitter, Chrusfield is ranked #19 in the Illprepvb Top 100. He is a high-impact attacker and has a future commitment to play at the collegiate level with the MOD club program. His statistical contribution is central to the OPRF scoring threat.
• #51 Gus Leman (Sr., L): Ranked #35 in the Top 100, Leman stands at a height of 5'10". He was recently named to an all-tournament team at the Lincoln-Way East tournament, where he was noted for his defensive contributions while the team played short-handed.
• #7 Wesley Kochendorfer (Sr., MH): At a height of 6'4" and 190 lbs, Kochendorfer provides a significant presence at the net. His physical stature is a primary component of the OPRF front-row defense.
• #5 Henry Hullinger (Sr., OH): Standing at a height of 6'4", Hullinger adds further height to the OPRF pins, providing a secondary scoring option alongside Chrusfield.

Tactical Strengths

• Elite Distribution and Playmaking: With Matthew Proskey ranked as one of the top setters in the state (#6 overall), OPRF possesses a tactical advantage in offensive organization. The ability to run a varied offense through an elite setter allows OPRF to exploit gaps in opponent blocking schemes.
• High-Level Defensive Stability: The presence of August "Gus" Leman in the libero position provides OPRF with consistent serve-receive and floor defense. His recognition as an all-tournament selection at Lincoln-Way East supports the observation that OPRF can remain competitive even when not at full strength.
• Balanced Offensive Pressure: The Huskies utilize two primary attackers in Chrusfield and Hullinger who both possess significant height (6'2" and 6'4" respectively). This allows the team to maintain offensive pressure across the entire net, making it difficult for opponents to commit-block a single hitter.

Tactical Vulnerabilities

• Roster Depth Concerns: Early May reports indicated that OPRF was "short-handed" during the Lincoln-Way East tournament. While they remained successful, any lack of depth could be a factor in a high-intensity playoff environment against a top-20 ranked opponent.
• Pressure of the Top Seed: As the #1 ranked team in the state and the top seed in the pod, OPRF carries the burden of expectation. Tactical errors or a slow start could be exploited by a Lake Park team that is coming off a momentum-building three-set win.
• Defending Elite Height: OPRF will be tasked with defending Lake Park’s Nolan Cocat, who stands at a height of 6'10". While OPRF has height in the middle with Kochendorfer (6'4"), they face a six-inch height disadvantage against Lake Park's primary middle threat.

Opponent Analysis: Lake Park

Lake Park enters this match following a 2-1 victory over Schaumburg (25-20, 22-25, 25-22) on June 2. Based on season totals, the Lake Park "Offensive Engine" is #7 Ethan Schnabel, who leads the team with 342 Kills on 775 Total Attacks. The "Defensive Anchor" for the Lancers is #4 Anthony (AJ) Bellavia, who has recorded 328 Digs this season. At the net, Lake Park relies on #18 Nolan Cocat, who has recorded 102 Total Blocks and 216 Kills. In their most recent outing against Schaumburg, Cocat was highly efficient, recording 12 Kills on 19 Attacks for a 0.579 hitting percentage, while adding 6 Total Blocks. OPRF must account for Schnabel’s high volume of attacks and Cocat’s efficiency at the net to advance.