On the heels of a wildly successful campaign, the seventh-grade Boys Volleyball Team of CHSD170 defeated James Hart School of Homewood and stormed to victory in the South Suburban Junior High School Association Conference Tournament held last week at Lansing's Memorial Junior High School.
The squad, under Head Coach Ryan Kvasnicka, and Assistant Coaches Eric Gawczcynski and Jared Johnson, defeated James Hart School of Homewood in straight sets, 28-26, and 25-20.
The team ended the campaign with a season record of 13-1 and, amazingly, lost only five sets all season.
"I am so very proud of our squad's success," Kvasnicka said, "and especially proud of the effort put forth by every member of the team."
"Of all the teams I've ever coached in any sport, this group ranks as one of my all-time favorites - not just because of our success on the court, but mostly because this team's camaraderie was just amazing, and it was fun to work with them every day."
Members of the championship team include Garfield Schools Ernesto Ayala, Hector Perez, and Edwin Yepez; Greenbriar School's Tyler Beson-Harms, Alex Kvasnicka, and Rocco Pilotto; STEM Academy's Angel Galvin. Jerico Rodriguez, and Leo Xolo; and Wilson School's Danny Ramirez.
"I admit that I was concerned at the start of the season when just 14 students tried out for the team," Kvasnicka said. "The limited number of players, however, didn't affect the quality of our play and all ten players played vital roles in the team's success."
CHSD170 Athletic Director Joe Barker echoed his coach's sentiments while praising the efforts of the team.
"Coaches Kvasnicka, Gawczcynski, and Johnson did an excellent job in taking a diverse group of young men and molding them into an outstanding team that brought a conference title to our district."
"All of us at School District 170 are proud of their tremendous accomplishment."