With the 2022 NVA Season already in the works, here is a look at the rankings for the top five players for each statistical throughout the season. These rankings exclude players who competed in less than ten sets or had less than 100 attempts. Check them out to see which if your favorite players made the cut as one of the Top 5 All-Stars for each category.

Best Scorer (Points/Sets Played)

1. Brandon Rattray, Ramblers – 6.14 (270/44) 
2. Felix Chapman, Tornadoes – 6 (60/10)
3. Corey Chavers, Stunners – 4.96 (114/23)
4. Jake Langlois, Stingers – 4.42 (115/26)
5. Joe Norman, Team Freedom – 4.34 (126/29)

Best Server (Service Aces/Sets Played)

1. Brandon Rattray, Ramblers – 0.64 (28/44)
2. Ian Capp, Untouchables – 0.6 (15/25)
3. Jair Santiago-Sanchez, Stunners – 0.47 (15/32)
4. Carlos Serrano, Matadors – 0.38 (8/21)
5. Will Ragland and Jake Milnaziak, Untouchables – 0.38 (9/24)

Best Blocker (Blocks/Sets Played)

1. Tim Lourich, Exposure – 0.7 (30/43)
2. Alex Shmelev, Stingers – 0.68 (23/34)
3. Joe Norman, Freedom – 0.59 (17/29)
4. Matt Seifert, Freedom – 0.59 (24/41)
5. Paul Bilanzic, Untouchables – 0.58 (19/33)

Best Scorer (Total Points)

1. Brandon Rattray, Ramblers – 270 
2. Gianluca Grasso, Tyrants – 163
3. Ryan Mather, Ramblers – 152
4. Jorge Mencia, Stingers – 144
5. Jair Santiago-Sanchez, Stunners – 129

Best Server (Total Service Aces)

1. Brandon Rattray, Ramblers – 28
2. Ian Capp, Untouchables – 15
3. Jair Santiago-Sanchez, Stunners – 15 
4. Ryan Mather, Ramblers – 14
5. Nick West, Stunners – 13

Best Blocker (Total Blocks)

1. Tim Lourich, Exposure – 30
2. Matt Seifert, Freedom – 23
3. Alex Schmelev, Stingers – 23
4. Paul Bilanzic, Untouchables – 19
5. Nick West, Stunners – 19

Best Passer (Perfect Reception + Positive Reception/All Receptions)

1. Johnny Gomez, Exposure – 93% (204/219)
2. Julian Rivera, Tyrants – 92% (191/207)
3. Gianluca Grasso, Tyrants – 91% (161/176)
4. Josh Ayzenberg, Stunners – 91% (102/112)
5. Corey Chavers, Stunners – 91% (122/134)

Best Attacker (Kills/All Attack Attempts)

1. Brandon Rattray, Ramblers – 56% (228/410)
2. Corey Chavers, Stunners – 55% (98/179)
3. Kevin Lopez, Ramblers – 51% (59/115)
4. Paul Bilanzic, Untouchables – 51% (72/141)
5. Nick West, Stunners – 51% (56/110)

Best Defender (Total Digs)

1. Johnny Gomez, Exposure – 90
2. Ricardo Massanet, Blaze – 88
3. Ryan Manoogian, Ramblers – 87
4. Kyle Dagostino, Exposure – 81
5. Inovel Romero, Stingers – 79

• NVA Staff Writer 

In only their first year in the league, the Chicago Untouchables pulled off an impressive run, finishing 7th in the regular season and making the cut for playoffs as part of the Final Eight. With a mix of first-year players from the Chicago area and players from the Tennessee Tyrants, Captain Mitch Wiskerchin has done well to bring his team as far as they did. Putting up the fight of their life in the quarterfinals, the Untouchables played some of their best volleyball in an exciting five-set match against Southern Exposure.

Starting off the match, the Untouchables caught Southern Exposure off guard and produced a sizeable lead of 21-13. With setter Moises Lopez setting his middles, Paul Bilanzic and Thomas Burrell were almost unstoppable right from the get-go. Southern Exposure having to commit in the middle threat, outside Jake Milnaziak was also able to have success taking advantage of one-on-one situations on the pin. Additionally, opposite Kyle Schwede started to come into his own, showcasing his high swing, which proved lethal to Exposure’s defense.

The second set saw a much closer fight, with the Untouchables unable to take on more than a three-point lead as Southern Exposure began to work better as a team. But the Untouchables defense picked up with solid blocking from outside Will Ragland and Bilanzic, followed by some scrappy defense in the backcourt from libero Juan Rosa Melendez. A highlight of the set was at 24-23 on the Untouchables game point after a solid rally. Ragland housed Exposure’s Jakub Ciesla Straight down, sending everyone on the Untouchables court into an explosion of celebration.

For sets three and four, Southern Exposure turned on the burners on offense and serving. At the same time, the Untouchables’ reception and defense couldn’t seem to adapt to the new pressure thrown their way. Despite their struggles in the backcourt, the Chicago squad stayed close behind Southern Exposure but struggled to produce offensively, being out of system and couldn’t take the lead. To try and change up the game’s flow, Wiskerchin was subbed into the mix in the fourth after the team was behind 14-20. The captain made an immediate impact, but the substitution was too late to change the course of the set.

In the fifth set, the Untouchables caught a spark of life with their captain on the court, with the defenders to get dig after dig, allowing Wiskerchin to keep going back Burrell and Milnaziak. With almost every point becoming a spectacular rally, the Untouchables gave everything they had to take game point twice, at 14-13 and 15-14. However, in the end, a string of hitting errors as the team tried to terminate on every swing, rather than playing the point out, let Exposure back in to take the set in extra points at 19-17.

“We jumped off to a fantastic start with big rallies, great serving, and excellent defense. It didn’t go our way in the end, and that’s unfortunate. But we’ve picked ourselves up and are motivated and determined to work and keep getting better. I believe that we as a team are very proud of how the season went. We would have loved to have a better record, but this is why we play the game! With a youthful team splashed with some good experience, we have seemingly exponential room for growth, and that’s a pretty inspiring feeling.” – Mitch Wiskerchin, Coach/Captain

Make sure to go and watch the Chicago Untouchables’ final match of the 2021 season by going onto the NVA USA page of Youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRzsIiPPURQ 

Be sure to follow the Team Freedom (@untouchables_nvausa) and the NVA (@nvausa) on Instagram to get updates on your favorite team as they get ready to come back again next year 2022 season. It’s sure to be the best one yet!

• NVA Staff Writer

Match Statistics: 

#9 Jake Milnaziak – 17 points (16 kills, 1 Block)

#11 Kyle Schwede – 15 points (14 kills, 1 Block)

#16 Paul Bilanzic – 10 Points (7 Kills, 3 Blocks)

#18 Thomas Burrell – 10 Points (7 Kills, 3 Blocks)

#13 Will Ragland – 9 Points (7 Kills, 2 Blocks)

The NVA is excited to provide our volleyball fans with an analysis of the upcoming playoff matches and predictions of which team will move on for a chance to call themselves the 2021 NVA Champions! 

First up for the quarterfinals is Southern Exposure VS the Chicago Untouchables.

Southern Exposure’s journey this year is a Cinderella story. A winless team that finished last in the 2020 season has now closed the regular season in first place in the National Conference and gained a #1 seed in the playoffs. A big part of the credit goes to Coach OJ Catalan and Tony Glessner, who deserve to be candidates for 2021 Coach of the Year. 

In their first match of the season, Southern Exposure surprised everyone when they defeated the Stunners 3-0 and pushed off with a 2-1 record. Southern Exposure also showed significant improvement throughout the year and played in some very tough and close matches. Of their nine games, five of them went the distance to five sets. Two of the teams they defeated were Team Freedom, who finished third place last season, and the Stingers, the previous year’s NVA Champions. 

Southern Exposure doesn’t have a single dominating player like some of the other NVA teams. Still, they have a well-balanced offense that led gotten them to a 6-3 record. Southern Exposure has also shown that they’re capable of scoring a lot of points. In their 5 set marathon match against the Stingers, Southern Exposure scored 69 points. And with a 5-0 record for their games that ended in 5 sets, they’ve demonstrated that they can perform well under pressure. 

Led by Setter Derrick Sullivan, Southern Exposures offense has relied on Tyler Hubbard-Neil, Eddie Moushikhian, Kevin Rockland, Chad Mercado, Tim Lourich, Langston Payne, Uchenna Ofoha, and Evan McDonough. All these players have made considerable contributions to this year’s success, and it’s a guessing game on who Coach Catalan and Glessner will start. But whoever he places in the starting lineup, the key players for Southern Exposure to win will be veteran Chad Mercado and National Team libero Kyle Dagostino.

The Chicago Untouchables are one of two new teams that have joined the league for the 2021 season, starting off with a shaking 0-3 record but still strong enough to make the playoffs. After their 0-3 start, the Untouchables rallied back to win three matches in a row at the Atlantic City, New Jersey event. While one of the wins was a triumphant success over Southern Exposure, the other two wins were in their favor against the Matadors and Tornadoes, both of whom ended the season with 2-7 records. Despite the mid-season comeback, the Untouchables ended the season 0-3. It’s fair to say that the Untouchables have had an up and down season and haven’t found a starting lineup that can play cohesively as a team. But the team is filled with impressive midwest volleyball talent that can indeed be a problematic team for everyone else if harnessed correctly by coach Mitch Wiskerchin. Nevertheless, the Untouchables feel lucky to be in the playoffs. 

Like Southern Exposure, the Untouchables don’t have a single ace player to rely on to score points. Led by setter Ian Capp much of their scoring has come from various outside hitters like Eddie Keesecker, Kyle Schwede, Will Ragland, Dan Nugent, and Jake Milnaziak. But the key for the Untouchables to win will be more activity from their middle blockers Paul Bilanzic, Thomas Burrell, and Matt Buffum. That can only happen if the team can improve upon their reception to keep their offense in system and hard service pressure to give their blockers the upper hand.

Prediction: Southern Exposure has more incentives to win than the Untouchables. One reason is for the Florida team to prove this year’s Cinderella season wasn’t a fluke and record their first NVA playoff win. The other is revenge for the Untouchables win early in the season. It’s always best to pick the previous loser to win the next match. Southern Exposure also has a more balanced offensive attack. 

For the Untouchables to defeat Southern Exposure, they will need to ramp up their defense, activate their middle blockers early, and extend rallies, scoring points in transition. This match may end in five sets as the Untouchables have shown some grit this season, even in their losses. If the teams go to a fifth set, the advantage goes to Southern Exposure. Nevertheless, the odds are that Southern Exposure will win. Score Prediction: Southern Exposure 3, Untouchables 1.

Stay tuned and visit the NVA website for the following prediction on the second playoff matchup between the Tyrants #2 American Conference Seed and Stunners #3 Seed in the National Conference. To find more articles about the Chicago Untouchables’ and Southern Exposure’s regular season, check out their news section at the bottom of their team websites.

https://untouchables.nvausa.com/ 

https://southernexposure.nvausa.com/ 

“Volley On With the NVA!”

• NVA Staff Writer

In only their first season in the NVA, the Chicago Untouchables have made their way into the finals after a long-fought regular season. With a distinctive and geographically diverse roster, including previous Tennessee Tyrants and Team Freedom players, the Untouchables have managed to come out with some impressive first appearance performances. Especially from Puerto Rican Libero, Juan-Rosa “JJ” Melendez, who is finally getting his exposure here in the United States after having an early career in the Puerto Rican professional league since 2011.   

Wanting to play for the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamon’s Division II program, JJ missed out on his collegiate experience due to the NCAA restrictions on professional players. But JJ still gained valuable experiences in Puerto Rico, nominated for the 2013 rookie of the year with the Maratonistas de Coamo and winning the 2018 Federation Cup with the Criollos de Caguas. Now looking like a seasoned veteran in the NVA, JJ is making his job look easy against the other competitors in the league. In his first NVA season, he is now ranked 23rd for perfect passing percentage and has racked up an impressive 55 digs (2.3 digs per set). 

From the age of seven, JJ has been influenced by the woman’s game, learning how to play the game from practicing and playing with his older sisters. Additionally, JJ was inspired to play professionally by his older cousin, Jorge Alifonso (tripod.com), who played at the University of Hawaii and Lewis University back in the late 90’s a long career in Puerto Rico. Even today, JJ study’s other woman’s national team liberos before each game to get himself ready to compete.  

“Normally leading up to a match, I look for film on the other team’s first set to see their lineups and initial play style. Then before I warm up, I watch highlight videos of Brenda Castillo and Jenia Grebennikov to visualize how I want to play when I’m in the game.” – Juan-Rosa Melendez. 

Looking back on his journey from Puerto Rico to the NVA, JJ now feels like he has been able to break barriers as an LGBTQ+ player at the professional level. JJ would tell any younger player not to let the negative perceptions of other players and coaches stop you from pursuing their dreams. 

“Now that I’m here playing at this level, it shows that there is a chance for everyone to make it if you are willing to put in the work and develop yourself. I now have so many LGBTQ+ friends coming to me asking how to play at this level. I say to all of them, don’t worry, if I can make it here, so can you.” – Juan-Rosa Melendez. 

Fans can catch Juan Rosa, and the Untouchables make their push into the playoffs as they take on Southern Exposure, on July 9th. Make sure to give JJ (@rosa_juan18), the Chicago Untouchables (@untouchables_nvausa), and the NVA (@nvausa) a follow-on Instagram to stay up with the team and catch highlight clips from Event 3. 

Happy PRIDE Month, Everyone!

• By NVA Staff Writer

The Chicago Untouchables have clinched the seventh seed of the playoffs after narrowly escaping a hot and desperate L.A Blaze team. The Blaze were hot on the Untouchables trail as they were one point behind going into the two teams playing each other on Sunday. The L.A Blaze had to win the game in three or four sets to beat the Untouchables in sets won ratio to continue into the playoffs, but fortunately for the Chicago Untouchables the L.A Blaze loss in five to Orlando’s Southern Exposure and it sealed the deal for Chicago. The Chicago Untouchables is one of three new teams added to the NVA this year, and along with the Texas Tyrants, made it into the playoffs as a new team. This can be seen as a huge success for the Chicago Untouchables, and as the NVA as a whole as it demonstrates the high level volleyball that is present in every corner of the nation. 

What does all this mean for the Chicago Untouchables? Well to begin, it allows the Chicago Untouchables to use their record as a recruiting tactic to bring in more players from the Chicago area, as it is known that about five guys on the team are not from the Chicago area, but are transplants from all over the nation. Although this is a big win for the city of Chicago, it is also a big win for the sport of volleyball, as it has been dominated by west coast communities for so long, with a midwest team making it into playoffs by beating out a Los Angeles based team, and for a Texas Team to be the number one overall seed in the tournament, it is safe to say volleyball is growing as a whole across the nation. 

Stunners Victory Over Untouchables Keeps Their Playoff Hopes Alive

Before New Jersey the Stunners strengthen their roster with two new setters, #43 Nikola Dmitruevic and #27 Roberto Ramirez and a libero, Josh Ayzenberg to their roster. 

Untouchables established the middle with a kill from #18 Thomas Burrell but quickly gave up the lead to the Stunners with a service and hitting error. Middle blocker #22 Nick Amado scored the first Stunners point on a block. Both teams battled back and forth until 4-4. A line kill by #7 Joey Jarvis, Untouchables’ hitting error and two consecutive service aces by Amado increased the Stunners’ lead to 8-4. After a kill by Untouchables’ middle blocker #20 Matt Buffum, the Stunners stared several mini runs on kills by Jarvis, #6 Cory Chavers and #9 Nick West and blocks by West and Chavers for a 16-9 lead. Scoring for Untouchables came from kills by Buffum, #9 Jake Milnaziak and #6 Eddie Keesecker. After the Stunners scored on a kill by #15 Jaire Sanchez-Santiago, the Untouchables only scored two points the rest of the set on Stunners’ service errors. The Stunners closed out the set with kill by Santiago, block by West and service ace by Jarvis. The set ended on a Untouchables’ hitting error 25-12. 

Untouchables had a better start in set number two and took an early 6-3 lead on kills by Burrell, Milnaziak, Keesecker and Buffum. Stunners slowly cut the lead and eventually tied the set at 11-11 on kills by West, Chavers and Jarvis and blocks by West and Amado and service ace by Ramirez. A line kill by Jarvis gave the Stunners a 12-11 lead. But the Untouchables’ scrappy play helped them retake the lead at 15-14 from a tool by Milnaziak; and increased their lead to 23-20 after a cross court kill by Keesecker. The Untouchables won the set on a Stunners’ service error 25-22. 

Stunners opened the third set with a 4-0 lead from a tip kill by Amado, two Untouchables’ hitting errors and a Santiago kill off of an Untouchable overpass. A Stunners’ service error killed the run and Milnaziak followed up with a service ace for a 4-2 score. Back-to-back service aces by Chavers increase the lead to 7-2. Untouchables rallied back with a three short scoring runs on kills by Keesecker, Burrell, and #15 Nick Ramos to cut the lead to 12-11. But Stunners kept their composure and increased their lead back to as many as five points at 20-15 after a West service ace. Untouchables attempted a rally with a service ace from #4 setter Ian Capp and kills by Burrell and Buffum but fell short. The set ended on a line kill by Jarvis 25-21. 

Although the Untouchables scored first and took an early lead in the fourth set the Stunners dominated the set after a block by West gave them a 3-2 lead. Stunners increased their lead to 8-4 after kills by Santiago, West and Jarvis. Much of the Untouchables’ scores for the remainder the set came from the Stunners’ 7 service errors. The only real Untouchables’ points came from a service ace by Ramos and kills by Keesecker, Ramos, and Burrell. Stunners scored on kills by Chavers, Amado, Santiago and Jarvis. The set and match ended on an Untouchables’ service error. 

Stunners’ Joey Jarvis and Untouchables’ Eddie Keeseckder led all players with 15 kills each. Followed by Stunners’ Cory Chavers and Jaire Santiago with 11 and Untouchables’ Thomas Burrell scored 9 kills and Jake Milnaziak with 7 kills. 

Tyrants’ High Energy and Aggressive Play Factors in Sweep of Untouchables  

Untouchables scored the first point of the match on a roll kill by #4 setter Ian Capp and their second point on a service ace by Capp. Tyrants scored their first clean point at 5-3 from #15 MB Ryan Maune. Untouchables increased their lead to 12-7 after two Tyrants’ hitting errors. But the Untouchables’s hitters struggled to find the court and committed 3 hitting errors in a row that cut their lead to one point 13-12. Untouchables increased their lead again to 3 points after a kill by #16 MB Paul Bilanzic to 16-13. Tyrants rallied to tie the score at 20-20 after a block by #22 MB Austen Lovett and then took the lead on a kill from #1 Anthony Robinson after an Untouchables overpass. Untouchables rallied back to tie the score at 23-23 after a kill by #18 MB Thomas Burrell. Both teams sided-out to 25-25. Tyrants took a 26-25 lead on a kill by Lovett after another Untouchables’ overpass. Then won the set from on a Untouchables’ hitting error 28-26.

In set number two the Tyrants scored the first four points that began with an Untouchables’ service error. And then scored the next three points from a bic kill by #9 Gianluca Grasso and two kills by Robinson to 4-0. The Untouchables scored their first clean point at 5-2 on a kill by Bilanzic. Two consecutive hitting errors by the Tyrants cut the lead to one point at 9-8. The Untouchables tied the match at 10-10 from a kill by Capp and Tyrants’ hitting error. Tyrants kept the lead on a kill and service ace by Lovett to 13-11. Both teams cleaned-up their play and sided-out well. Untouchables scored on kills by Burrell, Ragland, #11 Kyle Schwede and #9 Jake Milnaziak. Torndoes scored on kills by Maune, Grasso, #16 Daniel Jacobs and block by Lovett. Tyrants won the set on a block from Jacobs 25-20.

Tyrants took the lead on the first point from an Untouchable service error. The teams exchanged leads on kills from Schwede, Milnaziak, Burrell and Ragland for the Untouchables and two kills from Maune for the Tyrants. At 5-5 the Tyrants took the lead from an Untouchables’ hitting error and then added to it on a kill by Grasso and service ace by Maune for a 8-5 lead. Tyrants kept their 3-point lead on kills by Maune, Robinson, Grasso and Jacobs. And Untouchables scored on kills by Schwede, #15 Rick Ramos, Burrell and Bilanziac. The Untouchables cut the lead to 22-21 after consecutive kills by Burrell and Ramos. But the Tyrants scored the next two points from a Grasso kill and Untouchables’ hitting error; and then won the set and match on a kill by Jacobs 25-22. 

Gianluca Grasso led all players with 14 kills. His Tyrant teammates Daniel Jacobs had 9 kills and Anthony Robinson had 8 kills. Untouchables were led by Kyle Schwede with 10 kills, Paul Bilanzic and Thomas Burrell with 8 kills each and Will Ragland 6 kills. Tyrants also scored points on 3 service aces and 7 blocks. And Untouchables on 3 service aces and 2 blocks. 

Stingers Detain Untouchables in 5 Sets

Untouchables took a 5-0 lead from two Stingers’ hitting errors and two block bsy #16 MB Paul Bilanzic and 1 block #4 Ian Capp. Stingers scored their first point from an Untouchables’ hitting error and scored their first clean point on a kill by#15 Inovel Romero to 6-4. While the Untouchables scored points from kills by #6 Eddie Keesecker, #10 Dan Nugent and #20 MB Matt Buffum, the Stingers battled back with kills by #10 Jake Langlois and #17 MB Cory Metcalf, service ace by Langlois and Untouchables’ hitting error to tie the score 12-12. Untouchables increased their lead to 16-13 after  a Bilanzic kill, Capp service ace and two kills by Keesecker. Stingers cut the lead to 20-18 after a kill by Romero, 3 kills by Langlois and 1 kill by Metcalf. But only scored one point the rest of the set from an Untouchables’ hitting error. The Untouchables scored five of the last six points on block by Bilanzic, service ace by #2 Moises Lopez, kill by Keesecker, block by and service ace by Capp and won 25-19. 

Set number two mirrored set number one with same score but different winner. Untouchables took the early lead on kills by Capp, Bilanzic, Keesecker, Buffum, #10 Dan Nugent and Lopez block for an 8-6 score. Stingers scored from 4  Untouchables’ errors and kills by Langlois and Metcalf. Stingers tied the score at 10-10 from an Untouchables service error and took the lead on a kill by Romero to 11-10. Then increased their lead on a mini run from a Mencia block and two kills by Romero to 16-12. After a Langlois block, Untouchables’ hitting error and Romero ace the Stingers had a 6-point lead 20-14. Untouchables score the next 4 points on 2 kills by Capp, service ace by Lopez and block by Capp. Stingers scored five of the last six points that started with a monster kill by Langlois, Untouchables’ hitting error, kill by Metcalf and joust by Langlois. The set ended on an Untouchables net call and Stingers won 25-19.

In set number three Stingers took the early lead on back-to-back kills by Langlois and Untouchables’ hitting error to 3-0. Capp scored the first point for the Untouchables on a tool. Stingers kept their 3 point lead on kills by Langlois, Metcalf and Mencia to 12-9. During this run Untouchables scored on kills a block and kill by Keesecker and kills by Buffum, Bilanzic and Nugent. Untouchables started a mini run with a Buffum kill, Nugent block and Capp kill and tied the score 13-13. Stingers countered back with two kills by Romero for a 16-14 lead and then increased their lead to 20-17 from a Metcalf kill. In the next seven possessions the Untouchables committed three two hitting and one service error and only one clean kill by Bilanzic. The Stingers closed out the set with kills by Metcalf, block by Langlois and kill by Langlois for a 25-19 win. 

Stingers scored the first point on a Langlois kill and kept the lead until a service ace by Capp gave the Untouchables a 2-1 lead. While the Stingers sided-out well, their service errors allowed the Untouchables to keep their 1 point lead. At 12-11 the Stingers started a mini run that began with a net call on the Untouchables, followed by kills from #2 Carson Heniger and Romero that tied the score 13-13. But the Untouchables rallied back with one kill by Nugent and back-to-back kills by Capp for a 16-13 lead. Stingers sided-out well on kills by Heninger and Romero and then cut the lead to 18-16 from a service ace by Romero. For the rest of the set the Untouchables committed three hitting errors and one service error but hung on for the win. At 24-21 Untouchables scored on a Buffum kill and then won the set on a Stingers’ hitting error 25-21. 

Untouchables scored the first point on a Stingers’ service error. Langlois scored the first point for the Stingers and tied the score 1-1. Bilanzic scored the first clean point for the Untouchables for a 2-1 lead. Stinger took their first lead after a Metcalf kill and net call on the Untouchables 4-3. Untouchables sided-out well with kills by Keesecker, Nugent, Capp and Bilanzic and stayed within three points of the Stingers. But the Untouchables also committed service errors that kept them for launching a rally. At 11-9 Stingers scored on a Metcalf kill to 12-9 and then committed a service error to 12-10. The Untouchables only scored two more points. One on a Stingers’ service error and Capp kill. The Stingers scored on two kills by Mencia and won the set and match on a kill by Romero 15-12.

Jake Langlois led all players with 25 kills. His teammates Inovel Romero collected 16 kills and Metcalf 9 kills. For the Untouchables Ian Capp had 14 kills, followed by Paul Bilanzic and Eddie Keesecker each with 12 kills, Matt Buffum 9 kills and Dan Nugent 7 kills. Stingers also scored on 4 aces and 5 blocks. And Untouchables on 4 aces and 12 blocks. 

Game 1, Dallas Tornadoes V.S The Chicago Untouchables

Set 1

The two new teams of the NVA faceoff, the Dallas Tornadoes and the Chicago Untouchables who are both 0-3 so far in the league. The Dallas Tornadoes started off with a 4-0 lead after multiple hitting and passing errors, but eventually sided out with a kill out of the middle by Pual Bilanzic who then put Jake Milnaziak back to serve. Jake Milnaziak responded to the early run by the Tornadoes by going on a 3 point service run that included a block by Mitch Wiskerchen. The two teams exchanged sideouts until the technical timeout that had Dallas in the lead 7-8. Dallas went on another run in the middle of the game allowing them to take the lead 13-10. Jake Milnaziak goes back to serve to bring the score back to 13-12 but was stopped by Felix Chapman with a sideout swing into the angle, and a block by Aaron King allowed for a lead of 15-12 into the technical timeout. Dallas was able to maintain a three point lead the rest of the game, even with Thomas Burrel putting together a string of kills but was ultimately stopped on gamepoint, losing 25-19.

Set 2

Set two started off with Chicago putting together some miraculous plays, including a one handed set of the court by Jake Milnaziak. Jake Milnaziak then went to the endline and served up an ace, followed by three Tornadoes errors and an overpass kill by Nick Ramos, taking an early lead of 7-2. Jake Milnaziak then proceeded to serve a ball out of bounds, which resulted in a service ace by Ryan Schultheis followed by a block bringing the score up to 5-7. Chicago then took the lead of 8-5 into the technical timeout. The two teams exchanged points until a missed serve by Steven Roschitz and a block by Paul Bilanzic allowed for a four point separation of 14-10. Two errors by Jake Milnaziak and two service aces by Ryan Schultheis tied the game up late at 17-17, and Dallas then took the lead with a block by Steven Roschitz. The two teams managed to consistently tie up the games until two net violations by Aaron King and Javiar Guerrero put Chicago in the lead, and the game was ultimately ended by Ian Capp on an ace. 25-22 Chicago.

Set 3

Set 3 started off with an early lead by Chicago, with a block by Paul Bilanzic and three service aces by Ian Capp, who ended up missing his fourth serve, score 4-1 Chicago lead. Chicago maintained a lead until Ryan Schultheos blocked two balls and an error by Jake Milnaziak brought the score to 11-9 with Chicago still in the lead. Chicago then created separation again with a sideout by Paul Bilanzic, a block by Mitch Wiskerchen and a service ace by Ian Capp, with a score of 14-10. Chicago maintained a four point lead until a sideout and an ace by Felix Chapman brought them within two points with the score at 20-22. Felix Chapman then missed his serve at 20-23 and the two teams exchanged points until a block by Paul Bilanzic sealed the deal, 25-22.

Set 4

Set four started off a little more balanced, with both teams siding out consistently until a string of kills and blocks followed by an ace by Ryan Schultheis created separation with a score of 5-9, Tornadoes in the lead. Two errors by the Tornadoes brought the score back to 7-9, but the momentum was quickly stopped with a block by Javier Guerroro. Dallas then continued to maintain a lead until a shift in momentum happened again with a series of stops and kills by chicago, with a huge momentum change after a huge overpass kill by Will Ragland. Dallas then responded by setting their go to guy, Felix Chapman, to get some of their lead back. Dallas was looking primed to win this game until two kills by Mitch Wiskerchen and a block by Ian Capp gave Chicago a one point lead of 23-23. A missed serve by Felix Chapman and then a net by Javier Guerrero gave Chicago the win. Final score 25-22.

Game 2: Ontario Matadors v.s Chicago Untouchables

Set 1

Set one begins with The Untouchables starting off hot, with a kill from Paul Bilanzic and Jake Milnizak, the Untouchables form an early 4-1 lead. The Matadors responded with a block and a kill from O12 and a kill from 018, they were able to snag the lead going into the technical timeout, Matadors up 8-7. Coming out of the timeout, the Matadors started to get on a roll, thanks to kills and plays from Jacob Vander Beek, they were able to push their lead up to 11-15. The Untouchables were not done fighting, as multiple kills from Paul Bilanzik and Jake Milnizak allowed the Untouchables to close the gap at 18-18. Both teams sided out consistently and took the game into extra points until a hitting error and a service error from Mauro Isaac gave the Untouchables the win. 27-25.

Set 2

Set two begins with the score consistently within one point, as the Matadors are able to consistently side out due to the efficiency of Alvaro Hildago Ascues, but were keeping the Untouchables in the game by six serves. The Untouchables lead going into the technical timeout 8-7. Coming out of the timeout, both teams were matched up very evenly, as the spread stayed within one point until the twenties. This was due to the middles of both the Matadors and Untouchables, who were going at each other. After 20-20 Mauro Isaac had two blocks, and followed by a service error from Ian Kapp, the Matadors were able to squeeze out a win. Final score 25-23 Matadors. 

Set 3

Set three started off similar to set two, with both teams trading blows until the Matadors went on a little run thanks to kills from Jacob Vander Beel and Alvaro Hildago Ascues and blocks from Gabriel Cruz and Mauro Isaac, giving them a solid 9-5 lead. The Matadors were able to maintain this lead, although Kyle Schwede tried to will the Untouchables back into the game with three kills, the blocking from the Matadors was relentless as they created some solid separation as big as 17-11. The Untouchables continued to battle back as Ian Kapp, and Jake Milnizak both notched aces and Kyle Schwede got a hot hand offensively, they brought the score within two points at 19-17. The Untouchables then began to make unforced errors with an over call and a double call, while Jacob Vander Beek went three for four in the last points of the game, ending the game at 25-22 Matadors win.

Set 4

Set four started off with both teams siding out very efficiently, with the Untouchables really riding Kyle Schwede as he notches three kills in the first eight points as they lead going into the technical timeout, score 8-6 Chicago. The Untouchables were able to maintain a two point lead, riding the offensive capabilities of Kyle Schwede and Paul Bilanzic. Ontario was able to slowly close the point spread with blocks from Jacob Vander Beek and Isaac Mauro, but numerous aces from Ian Kapp drove the separation to a five point spread of 15-20. Jacob Vander Beek also started to heat up, as he had two kills late in the game, but it wasn’t enough to slow down the Untouchables. Chicago wins 25-23.

Set 5

Set five started off with the Matadors gaining a small lead due to two missed serves from Jake Milnizak and Ian Kapp, while Alvaro Hildago Ascues had an ace and a kill. The lead didn’t last long as Chicago started to get in an offensive rhythm as Kyle Schwede and Paul Bilanzik counted for five kills total going into the side switch, score 8-5 Chicago is in the lead. It could be seen as smooth sailing from there as Paul Bilanzik snagged two blocks and Jake Milnizak got two kills as the Untouchables won 15-9.

Game 2: Chicago Untouchables V.S Southern Exposure

Set 1

Heading into the event’s last day, the Untouchables were looking to start this one off strong to complete the weekend sweep. Unfortunately, Southern Exposure’s Uchenna Ofoha had other plans as he started off the set with two massive blocks and a kill to give his team an 8-7 lead. Later on, Kyle Dagostino came to life as he kept Exposure in-system with solid reception, great defensive plays, and incredible sets in transition. The Florida team ended up taking the first set 25-20 after an Untouchables service error.

Set 2

The Untouchables reverted to their regular lineup with setter Ian Capp looking to tie things up in the second set. However, a load of unforced errors was the story early as both teams struggled to captivate a big lead. Just as Southern Exposure was pulling away with some big blocks by Langston Payne, the Untouchable’s Kyle Shwede answered back with a big kill and an even bigger block to tie the game up at 21-21. Then at 22-23, Ian Capp and Thomas Burrell teamed up for arguably the play of the match when Capp bump set his middle from the floor and then fake swings to set Burrell for the super spike and the kill. The rest of the set was extremely close as both teams traded blows pushing it to extra points. Finally, Capp forced an overpass with his monster serve to win his team the set 29-27.

Set 3

The Untouchables were looking to carry over the momentum from their tight set win. However, opposite Chad Mercado would not allow that as he picked up back-to-back aces and an overpass to win his team three straight points early. Unfortunately for Southern Exposure, too many missed serves helped the Chicago team stay close in the set, and the teams went back and forth as they had been all match. At 21-21, 7-foot middle Paul Bilanzic put away a colossal kill followed by a big block on Ofoha to give the Untouchables a big enough lead to go up 2-1 in sets.

Set 4

Southern Exposure started the fourth set by capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes and showing their significant blocking presence once again. They looked determined to force a fifth; however, the Untouchables’ never-die attitude and positive energy looked like it was frustrating the other team. A couple big digs by Schwede and transition kills by Ragland brought them to a 19-16 lead. But just when it looked like Southern Exposure was going to make a run of their own, the Untouchables’ defense and blocking was too big of a force. An ace from Milnazic was the cherry on top as they took the set 25-20 and the match 3 sets to 1. Will Ragland was the player of the game with 17 points.

Although on the court, the NVA is a highly competitive league with crosstown rivals and grudges, off the court it can be seen as a bustling community working together to grow the great game of volleyball. The Chicago Untouchables’, Orlando Southern Exposure, and the hosting Team Freedom from New Jersey, are partnering up with Next Level Volleyball to bring high level clinics and coaching to New Jersey. The concept is awesome, the professional volleyball players will take everything they’ve learned from playing professional to college and teach it to the young aspiring volleyball players of America. The clinics will focus on positional skills and offer young players the chance to grow. For example, the middle blockers will be coached by players like Matt Seifert, who played at Penn State and did a year of professional volleyball overseas in Germany, a very high level league. Maybe the young aspiring opposites will be coached by Jakub Ciesla, who played opposite for Cal State Northridge. 

The thing that is so great about this idea is that it allows the younger generation to learn how to become a better volleyball player from those who have already succeeded in the volleyball world. It opens up the potentiality of mentorships and connections that truly allow the younger players to hold on to a role model and inspiration that can drive them to complete their goals. The clinic is open to boys and girls of all different ages and experience level, and kids that sign up will be allowed to stay and watch Team Freedom play the L.A Blaze at 7pm. The clinic takes place on May 28th at 5pm and ends at 7pm. The clinic is 75$ per player.

Huge announcement for all our Chicago Untouchables fans! We are now offering a wide range of apparel and accessories to be purchased at our online store. The options to choose from are plentiful and great and will allow you to represent the great city of Chicago anywhere you go. The store offers apparel for both men and women, with things like shirts, long sleeves, sweatshirts, and tank tops. The store also offers lots of apparel such as backpacks, hats, and blankets. This is a limited time offer on all products and we will only be able to sell for a certain amount of time due to the high demand for gear to represent your home team. So click the link down below to choose something for you or a loved one today!