The Chicago Untouchables have announced their hiring of new General Manager Andrew J. Lee for the 2022 NVA Season.
Lee comes into this role with prior experience in the NVA, having worked alongside Team Freedom Owner Justin Beaumont and the boys from New Jersey since their introduction as a professional team in the NVA back in 2019. He has also managed his last team, the ‘Catalina Wine Mixers’ (@catalinawinemixers), which has competed in the USAV AA competition since 2017. Some notable NVA athletes have previously played with this squad, including Matt Buffum (MB) and Dante McCoy (OH/Opp).
The addition of Lee comes after previous GM, Mitch Wiskerchin, has decided to step back from this position to spend more time with his wife and family. There is still potential for Wiskerchin to remain on the roster as a setter this season. He proved to be an essential asset to the team in that role, as he quarterbacked the Untouchables squad, almost pulling off the upset in a five-set thriller against Southern Exposure during the NVA Quarterfinals last season.
Lee will have his work cut out for him this season as he works to get the roster filled before the upcoming opening event as the Untouchables saw five of their East Coast players, including Matt Buffum, decide to join Team Freedom in 2022. Andrew is confident he can get the job done as he plans to bring in some recruits from his home state of PA. In addition to that, the team will hold tryouts again at the end of this month. The Untouchables still have a solid group of returners, including Paul Bilanzic, Will Ragland, Moises Lopez, Eddie Keesecker, JJ Melendez, and Nick Ramos. They are all eager to tap into more of the raw volleyball talent that Chicago offers.
“I’m excited to come into next season with a new team! It’s my goal to develop the chemistry between all the players that’s different from all the other teams in the league,” shared Lee. Be sure to give Andrew Lee (@drewwwjlee) and the Chicago Untouchables (@chicago_untouchables) a follow on Instagram to stay up to date with the team and be first to hear when tryout dates are confirmed.
“Volley On With the NVA!”
-NVA Staff Writer
]]>With the Puerto Rican League now well underway, the Chicago Untouchables want to highlight two of their all-star players competing in the Caribbean province. Both libero Juan Rosa Melendez and outside hitter Nick Ramos have been instrumental in getting the Untouchables to the 2021 NVA Championship tournament and are now making a significant impact on their new teams.
For Juan Rosa, this will be his 10th season playing in Puerto Rico but playing for a new team with the Cafeteros de Yuaco! Previously Juan has played with Leones de Ponce, Coama Maratonistas, Cariduras de Fajardo, Changos de Naranjito, Criolles de Caguas, and the Atenienses de Manati. The Cafeteros are located on the southwest side of the island and have been around since 1958. Their dynasty period in the league was during the ’60s, and ’70’s when they won seven championships and seven 2nd place finishes.
Some recent notable players for the Cafeteros include LA Blaze’s libero, Ricardo Massanet Laureano. As well as USC alumni Jon Rivera, who played with Texas Tyrants outside hitter Gianluca Grasso back in 2018/19.
https://www.voleimasculinopr.com/cafeteros-de-yauco
For Nick Ramos, this will be his first professional season outside of the NVA, signing to play with Patriotas de Lares. It also happens to be the first year of the Patriot’s reconception after its hiatus since 2016. The move to bring back the club was a significant NVA collaboration with previous Matadors manager Natasha Mills and OC stunner’s owner Bill Li to take on the team and relocate the club back to its hometown of Lares. Ramos will also be joined on the court by LA Blaze Opposite, Joseph Andrew Cuevas Torres.
Everyone with the Chicago Untouchables wishes Juan, Ramos, and both teams the best of luck this season. They all look to make history as they push to make the podium for the first time in years. Fans can stay up to date with both players and teams this season by following Juan Rosa (@rosa_juan18), Nick Ramos (@ramos.619), the Patriotas (@patriotasdelares), and the Cafeteros (@CafeterosVoli) on Instagram/Facebook. The league is already in its 2nd week, so make sure you catch some of the action before it is all over!
“Volley On With the NVA”
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!
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)
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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!”
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.
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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.
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The Chicago Untouchables had their debut showing this past April and were on a blocking mission led by none other than “Too Tall Paul” Bilanzic. Paul Bilanzic is seven feet tall and already has a deep success story as a volleyball player. Paul played at Park University, Missouri, where he was a blocking force, helping the Rangers win two NAIA championships back to back. Paul now has taken his elite ability and extraordinary height to the NVA, where he is leading the team with 6 blocks and is 5th overall. As the season progresses, you will see the Untouchables become a demanding force in the NVA, using its deep Chicago history to consistently bring new players to the floor to help them. One thing that is very interesting in Chicago is that the volleyball nucleus in Chicago is very tight, and revolves around recreational leagues such as the infamous “Polish League” that is held every sunday. Paul has been retaining his volleyball skill playing in these recreational leagues and his pristine blocking ability still shows to this day. The Chicago Untouchables will no doubt be coming to Atlantic City with a vengeance and drive to push their standings up. Watch the Untouchables this weekend, May28th-30th in Atlantic City as they take on the Dallas Tornadoes, the Ontario Matadors, and Southern Exposure.
]]>Day 1 Match # 1
NVA Starts Season With 5 Set Blaze and Untouchables Match
Blaze setter Marques Buggs opened the 2021 season with the first serve and Blaze scored the first point on an Untouchable hitting error. And the Untouchables scored the first real point of the season on a block by middle blocker, Matt Buffum. As the match progressed both teams struggled to find their rhythm and much of the scoring for both teams was a result of a plethora of hitting and passing errors. The combined hitting average of the teams was 40%. The lowest of 19% by the Untouchables in the first set and highest at 70% by the Blaze in the short fifth set.
After the Blaze won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-21, they changed their lineup. The new Blaze lineup struggled and that opened the door for the Untouchables to launch a comeback with a 25-16 win in the third set. Although the Blaze started off slow in the fourth set by committing a combination of passing and hitting errors to fall behind 4-0, this set turned out to be the most competitive. Teams exchanged leads. But at 20-20 the Untouchables’ tough defensive run and two kills gave them a 23-21 lead. The Blaze lost a couple of opportunities to score real points with two service errors in a row. The Untouchables won the set on another Blaze hitting error 25-23.
The fifth set was an early nip and tuck battle until Belvin took over with three kills in a row to take a 3-point lead. Untouchables fought back to tie at 7-7. A Buggs dump gave Blaze the lead. Untouchables countered with a dump from Wiskerchin. But after a Belvin kill and Untouchables hitting error the Blaze won the match on a kill by O’Gorman at 15-12.
Day 2, Match 3
Team Freedom’s Defense and Covering Instrumental in Defeat of Untouchables In 4 Sets
Team Freedom’s MB Milkhail Hoyt started the set with a clean kill and then followed up with a block and Jake Modetow added a kill. The Untouchables got off to a slow start with several hitting errors and fell behind 6-2. A Jose Castillo kill and Seirfert block along with two more Untouchable hitting errors increased Team Freedoms lead to 11-5. With kills and an ace from Christopher Nugent and kids from Jonathon Lutz, Team Freedom kept their lead at 16-10. After the time outTeam Freedom’s hitting errors gave the Untouchables opportunities to catch up with three kills by Nick Ramos, two kills by Will Ragland and one kill each by David Holiday and Paul Bilanzic to cut the lead to 24-22. But Team Freedom pulled off the first set win with a kill from Modetow.
In set two the Untouchables quickly established the middle with the first three points on a kill by Thomas Burrell and a kill and block from Bilanzic. Will Ragland also added two kills. Although Nugent and Lutz had a kill each, hitting errors gave the Untouchables an early lead of 8-4. Team Freedom struggled with their passing, in part due good serves by the Untouchables. A series of Team Freedom’s free and down balls gave the Untouchables plenty of opportunities to score points. They built a 16-6 lead on a blocks by Bilanzic and Burrell, aces by Ragland and Lopez and kills by Ragland and Burrell. Team Freedom did have a short rally with kills by Nugent and Lutz and a block by Hoyt but fell short. Untouchables ended the set with kills by Bilanzic and Burrell for the win at 25-18.
In set three Team Freedom started Matt Seifert at MB. Both teams started off well. The Untouchables established the middle attacks again with kills by Bilanzic and Burrell; and Holiday added one kill. For Team Freedom, kills by Lutz and Nugent; dump by setter Ryan Kenney and blocks by Seifert and Hoyt gave them the lead at the first media timeout at 8-7. After the timeout the Untouchables’ hitters were unable to find the court. Team Freedom took advantage and built a seven point lead on a series of kills by Siefert and Nugent and a block by Nugent to 20-13. Untouchables sided out with kills from Bilanzic, Lutz, Ramos and Holiday. But two Untouchable hitting errors gave Team Freedom a 25-18 win.
Set four started out with the same intensity and good play as set three. For Team Freedom Hoyt, Lutz and Seifert provided the offense and Untouchables Burrell, Holiday and Ragland, who also had an ace. At 8-7 Team Freedom’s defense forced Untouchables into a couple of errors and down balls. During this stretch, kills by Nugent and Lutz, block by Hoyt and ace by Siefert gave Team Freedom a five point lead at 13-8. The Untouchables rallied back with an ace by Burrell and kills by Raglan and Bilanzic to cut the lead to 16-15. But Team Freedom bounced back with good defense and kills by Siefert, Nugent, Castillo, Lutz and block by Kenney to increase their lead to 24-18. Team Freedom won the match on a service ace by Kenney.
Despite the loss the Untouchables led by setter Kenney ran a balanced offense. Ramos led with 11 kills, Bilanzic 9, Ragland and Holiday 8 and Burrell 7. Untouchables also had 11 blocks, 4 by Holiday. For Team Freedom Lutz carried the load with 14 kills, Nugent 10 and Castillo 9; and 7 blocks.
Day 3, Match 4
Ramblers Defeat Untouchables In Most Competitive Match of Weekend With Three Overtime Wins
Plenty of good action in this match, in which both teams did well to keep their hitting and service errors to a minimum. The Untouchables scored points on kills from Nick Ramos, Will Ragland and middle blocker Paul Bilanzic; and Ragland also added a service ace. Ramblers’ Setter Tanner Maxwell wasted no time going to his big guns Brandon Rattray and Ryan Mather for their first kills. Mather also contributed a block and Antonio Boucher added a kill that gave the Ramblers an 8-6 lead before the first media timeout. Maxwell continued to feed Rattray and Mather for kills and also middle blocker Mark Lane for one kill; and Mather added another block. But Untouchables managed to take a two-point lead with kills from Elvis Minyakov, two kills by Bilanzic and one kill by Ramos before the second media time out 16-14. After the timeout the Ramblers’ launched a comeback with a middle blocker kill and block by Josh Duarte, four kills by Rattray and one by Mather to take a 22-19 lead. During this run Untouchables committed several hitting and service errors but rallied back with a Ragland ace, Ramos and Bilanzic kills and tied the Ramblers at 24-24. Both teams sided-out well to 28-27 and then the Ramblers won the set on an Untouchables’ hitting 29-27.
In set two Untouchables struggled to pass the ball. It resulted in returning free and down balls and hitting errors. Ramblers scored points on two kills by Rattray, one by Mather and Lane and Mather block to take a six point lead at 8-2. Although the Untouchables cleaned up their play and scored points on kills by Buffum, Minyakov and three Ramos kills, Ramblers increased their lead with three kills by Rattray and one by Boucher to 16-8. Untouchables slowly rallied back with the help of a couple of Ramblers’ hitting errors and kills by Ramos and Buffum, three blocks by Bilanzic and one block by Buffum to cut the lead to two points at 21-19. Inconsistent play by the Ramblers and another Billanzic block and kill, and Ragland block tied the set 24-24. After Rattray scored a kill Ramblers took a one point lead at 27-26, the Untouchables committed a hitting error that won the set for Ramblers 28-26.
Like the first set Ramblers took an early 8-6 lead on three consecutive kills by Rattray, kill and block by Mather and kill from Duarte. Untouchables scored on kills by Ramos, Bilanzic and dump by setter Maxwell. After the first media timeout Untouchables’ errors and only one kill by Bilanzic helped the Ramblers add to their lead with a kill and block by Rattray, and kill by Mather and Duarte 12-8. The Untouchables gradually cut the lead and tied the score after Ramblers’ errors and Ragland service ace 16-16. Then Untouchables took the lead on a Bilanzic block to 17-16. Ramblers’ called a timeout. A Bilanzic kill gave Untouchables an 18-16 lead. Ramblers substituted Mather with Kyle Radecki and Maxwell with setter Steven Duhoux. After an Untouchables net violation and hitting error, the Ramblers tied the set with a Radecki block to 20-20. Ramblers took the lead on Untouchables’ hitting error 21-20. After Untouchables called a timeout, a Ragland kill and Bilanzic block gave Untouchables back the lead 22-21. Ramblers regained the lead with a kill from Rattray and Untouchables’ hitting error 23-22. At 24-23 Ramblers substitute Mather for Radecki and Maxwell for Duhox. Both teams exchanged points to a 26-26 tie. After an Untouchables’ overpass, Boucher scored a left-handed kill to 27-26 and a Mather’s ace won the match for the Ramblers 28-26.
Ramos led the Untouchables with 13 kills, Bilanzic 7 and Minyakov 5. Untouchables had 10 blocks and hit 34%. For the Ramblers Rattray led all players with 25 kills, Mather 9, Boucher 6, Duarte 5 and Lane 4. Ramblers also had 10 blocks and hit 46%. Untouchables finished with an 0-3 record and Ramblers 3-0.
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Set #1 – Ramblers 25, Tyrants
Ramblers jumped into an early 6-1 lead with a service run that included OH kill, Tyrant service error, OH kill, OH block point and OH kill. Tyrants called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out with a MB kill. Ramblers follow with a MB kill and Tyrants with OH kill to 7-3. On the next point the Tyrants donated a point to the Ramblers on a service error to 8-3. Referee called a media timeout. On the next twelve possessions the Ramblers increased their lead on a series of service runs that included two OH kills and MB kill to 12-5. Ramblers kept their 7-point lead to 15-8 on a Tyrant service error. Tyrants called a timeout. After the timeout ramblers added another point on a OH kill to 16-8. Tyrants called their second timeout. Tyrants cut the lead to six points on an OH kill and Ramblers’ service error to 16-10. At 20-14 Ramblers increased their lead again to eight points with an OH kill and OH block point to 22-14. Ramblers’ sided-out the rest of the set and ended it with a OH kill to 25-17.
Ramblers – 13 Kills, 3 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 92% Reception and 62% Hitting.
Tyrants- 8 Kills, 9 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 29% Hitting.
Set #2 – Ramblers 25, Tyrants
Tyrants started the set with the early lead at 2-1 but quickly relinquished it to the Ramblers. At 3-2 the Ramblers service run included an OPP kill, OH kill, OH kill and OPP kill that increased their lead to 6-2. Tyrants called a timeout. After Ramblers and Tyrants exchanged points to 8-4, the referee called a media timeout. Tyrants scored the first point after the timeout on a OPP kill to 8-5. Ramblers increased their lead to 5 points on a MB kill and OPP kill to 10-5. Tyrants reduced the lead to three points to 12-9 on two OH kills. Ramblers responded with a service run of an OPP kill and OH block point to 14-9. Ramblers gradually added to their lead with an OPP kill and OH kill to 17-11. Tyrants fought back to reduce the lead to five points with an OH kill to 18-13. After a Tyrants service error, the Tyrants’s coach called a time out at 19-13. On the following point Ramblers scored on a Tyrants’ OH error to 20-13. Ramblers kept their 7 point lead until set point at 24-17 and closed out the set with an ace and won 25-17.
Ramblers – 1 Ace, 13 Kills, 5 Block Point, 6 Opponent Errors; 93% Reception and 46% Hitting.
Tyrants- 13 Kills, 1 Block Point, 3 Opponent Errors; 86% Reception and 37% Hitting.
Set #3 – Ramblers 25, Tyrants
Ramblers started the set with a OH kill and again took a comfortable early lead on mini service runs. It started at 2-1 from a Tyrants’ MB hitting error to 3-1, then a Rambler ace to 6-2, then a Rambler OPP kill to 8-3. Referee called a media timeout. After Tyrants bounce back from a Rambler service error and MB block point to 8-5, Ramblers received a yellow card from the referee. Ramblers increased their lead to five points after a service run that included OH kill and Tyrants’ hitting error to 14-9. Ramblers kept that lead until 16-11. Tyrants called a timeout and regrouped to cut the Ramblers to two points at 19-17 from an OPP kill, OH kill and an ace. Ramblers called a timeout. Tyrants followed up with service error to 20-17 but cut the lead to one point from a Ramblers’ service error and Tyrants’ OH block to 20-19. After a Ramblers’ OH kill at 24-22, Tyrants called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out to 24-23 on a MB kill. Then Ramblers won the set and match on an OPP kill 25-23.
Ramblers – 1 Ace, 14 Kills, 1 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 95% Reception and 54% Hitting.
Tyrants- 1 Ace, 10 Kills, 3 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 95% Reception and 48% Hitting.
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