Senior Brody Lee-Caracci has great memories from playing with the Lyons Township High School boys volleyball team in the 2024 state quarterfinals as a sophomore starter. His personal growth with the Lions only got better.
Lee-Caracci finished by being named first team all-state by the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association after being second team all-state in 2025.
LTHS senior libero Brady Schlichter was second team IVCA all-state.
“(First team all-state) made me feel both accomplished and grateful,” said Lee-Caracci, who will continue playing at Lewis University (Romeoville). “Having been second team last year, reaching first team was a major goal for me. I recognize that I didn’t reach this milestone alone. I am incredibly thankful to my teammates, coaches and parents for their support. I truly would not have earned this recognition without them.”
Lee-Caracci fueled the Lions with 318 kills, 24 aces and 56 blocks. Schlichter had 304 digs and a 2.28 serve-receiver rating. Lee-Caracci was most pleased with his statistics as an outside hitter and server.
“Maintaining a .262 hitting percentage meant that I was able to secure a kill roughly every four balls,” Lee-Caracci said. “I stayed about 80 percent (serving) for the entire year, which was a significant improvement (roughly 70 percent in 2025). This helped us score more consistently and win more games. I also feel I made great strides in blocking. I owe much of that progress to my coaches, who were constantly providing the feedback and techniques I needed.”
The Lions’ All-West Suburban Conference Silver Division players were Lee-Caracci and senior middle Jack Hartman (83 blocks).
Lee-Caracci looks forward to a busy summer, which includes playing at the Amateur Athletic Union Nationals in Orlando, Fla., and coaching at Lewis’ youth volleyball camps.
“I feel that LT volleyball has truly shaped who I am,” Lee-Caracci said. “It taught me to trust my coaches and teammates as much as myself, helped me grow as a leader on and off the court and showed me how to handle pressure and remain committed through difficult moments.”
RBHS/Nazareth boys volleyball
Riverside Brookfield junior Michael Austin was named Upstate Eight Conference East Division Player of the Year in helping the Bulldogs share the title with Glenbard East before capturing their first regional title since 2019.
The outside hitter led the Bulldogs with 273 kills and 460 serve receptions and was second with 110 digs and 23 aces.
Senior outside hitter Noah Beals, junior setter Gianfranco Crancich and sophomore middle Aidan Darrah also were all-conference. Crancich had team highs of 464 assists and 28 aces with 110 digs, Darrah was second with 161 kills and third with 30 total blocks and Beals was second with 40 blocks and fourth with 111 kills.
Nazareth Academy senior Matt Hounihan was named to the All-East Suburban Catholic Conference Team with 211 kills, 209 digs, 31 aces and 493 service receptions.