Riverside-Brookfield volleyball coach Dan Bonarigo believes in his players, perhaps none more than returning starters Juan Gomez and Elliot Louthen.
“Juan and Elliot are our team captains,” Bonarigo said. “They are key players for us not only because of their skills but their leadership abilities.”
Gomez, also a standout RB football player and wrestler, is a three-year varsity volleyball player who switches from the middle to outside hitter this season. The 5-foot-6 junior Louthen is the Bulldogs’ returning setter.
Gomez had 12 kills and Louthen dished out 19 assists during the Bulldogs’ 25-22, 26-24 win over Nazareth last week. Alex Dziagwa (2 kills, 3 blocks) and Galen Ryan (5 kills, 5 digs, block) also contributed for the Bulldogs (5-2).
A few weeks ago, Gomez and Louthen sparked the Bulldogs to a runner-up finish at the Plainfield North Tournament, falling only to the host Tigers 25-15, 20-25, 25-22 in the title match. Gomez (46 kills, 3 assists, 6 aces, 22 digs, 5 blocks) and Louthen (116 assists, 3 kills, 5 aces, 27 digs, 4 blocks) were named to the all-tournament team.
Galen, an outside hitter, and libero Ivan Garcia are other key returners for RB, which finished 16-20 last season.
“We’re looking for Ryan to get a bunch of kills and to pass the ball well for us,” Bonarigo said. “Ivan will lead us defensively and pass the ball a bunch. Ivan can really rev up our team by getting on the floor, getting a key dig, and just hustling on the court.”
The Bulldogs are looking for big contributions from the 6-foot-8 Dziagwa and 6-foot-3 Mack Fieseler, a pair of promising junior middle blockers. Dziagwa played on the Bulldogs’ Class 3A sectional finalist basketball team this winter, while Fieseler has experience playing club volleyball.
“Alex and Mack block pretty well and get some nice swings on the ball,” Bonarigo said. “They are a big part of our offense.”
Ben Bergstrom is the RB opposite side hitter, and Joe Niemiec is a skilled middle hitter with great strength. First-year player Brandon Cook has made an immediate impact with his energy this season.
“Brandon doesn’t have much experience but he’s really athletic,” Bonarigo said. “He just wanted to be part of another team [at RB] and he works his butt off. I think his enthusiasm pushes everybody else to work harder.”
Defensive specialist Steve McCroary, outside hitter Chris Schomer, opposite hitter Jon Stevanovich, setter Hrvoje Zolo and outside hitter Trent Baer comprise the rest of the RB bench.
“This is a real good group of guys,” Bonarigo said about his team. “A lot of these guys don’t have much playing experience, but they will see more playing time this season.”
Riverside-Brookfield visits St. Patrick on Thursday. The Bulldogs will also compete in the Rolling Meadows Invitational this weekend.
During a busy April, RB hosts Fenton, Montini, Illiana Christian, St. Ignatius and Payton.