vs West Aurora

West Aurora High School enters the March 24, 2026, match against Lake Park with a roster comprised of 14 players, including three seniors, ten juniors, and one sophomore.  The team is currently unranked in the state and national standings, and no players from the roster appear on the Illprepvb Top 101 list for 2025.

Team Overview

The West Aurora Blackhawks feature a roster with a significant concentration of junior-level talent. The team’s physical profile is led by its middle blockers, with a height range across the squad from 5'8" to 6'5". While the team lacks senior depth, with only three seniors listed, they maintain a balance of positions including two designated setters and multiple defensive specialists. There is currently no statistical data available regarding the team's performance in matches leading up to this date.

Key Players to Watch

• #15 Will Johnson (Jr., MB): At a height of 6'5", Johnson is the tallest player on the West Aurora roster. He is expected to be a primary factor in the team's net defense.
• #11 Reznor Orebaugh (So., MB): Standing at a height of 6'3", Orebaugh is the only sophomore on the varsity roster. Based on club data, he is a middle hitter for SPVB B16 Elite, a team that finished the club season ranked #4 in the 16s division.
• #3 Liam Norris (Sr., OH): A senior outside hitter with a height of 6'2", Norris provides a veteran presence on the pins and is one of the tallest non-middle players on the roster.
• #7 Richard Jimenez (Sr., S) and #13 Luke Lowell (Jr., S): These two players are the listed setters for the Blackhawks, responsible for directing the offense. Jimenez provides senior leadership, while Lowell adds height to the position at 5'10".

Tactical Strengths

• Middle Blocker Profile: West Aurora possesses functional height in the middle with Will Johnson (6'5") and Reznor Orebaugh (6'3"). This duo provides a consistent presence for blocking schemes.
• High-Level Club Experience: Reznor Orebaugh’s participation with SPVB B16 Elite, which earned a top-five ranking in the June 2025 club standings, indicates he has experience competing in high-pressure, elite-level environments.
• Setter Continuity: By carrying both a senior (#7 Richard Jimenez) and a junior (#13 Luke Lowell) at the setter position, the team has the potential for positional stability and diverse offensive looks.

Tactical Vulnerabilities

• Height Disadvantage in Matchups: Outside of the middle blockers, West Aurora may face challenges at the net. The Blackhawks' tallest player is 6'5", while the Lake Park roster features two players with a height of 6'9" or taller (Nolan Cocat at 6'10" and Owen Mueller at 6'9"). This creates a significant height deficit for West Aurora in front-row rotations.
• Lack of Statistical Benchmarks: Based on available data, there are no recorded stats for kills, blocks, or digs for the 2025-26 season. This lack of data makes it difficult to verify the team's offensive efficiency or serve-receive consistency.
• Junior-Heavy Roster: With 10 of the 14 players being juniors, the team may face a gap in varsity-level experience when competing against senior-heavy programs. There is limited information on how this group performs in close, late-set scenarios.