Game Preview
vs Elk Grove
Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM home Tournament
Scouting Report
AI Generated · May 20, 2026 1:02 PM CTElk Grove High School (State Ranking: 195) is scheduled to face Lake Park High School (State Ranking: 18) on May 23, 2026. This matchup features an Elk Grove squad looking to compete against a Lake Park team currently positioned within the top 20 of the state rankings.
Team Overview
Based on available data, Elk Grove High School enters this contest with a 14-player roster. The team composition is focused on the junior and sophomore classes, with six players from each grade. There are only two seniors on the active roster. While Elk Grove is currently ranked 195th in the state, they feature several players with multi-positional designations, suggesting a flexible lineup approach.
Key Players to Watch
There is limited information regarding individual statistics for Elk Grove; however, the following players are central to their roster structure:
- #14 Maksymilian Surma (Sr., OH): One of two seniors on the team, providing veteran presence at the outside hitter position.
- #15 Oleksander Hryhorsyn (Jr., MH, OPP): A junior who occupies dual roles at middle hitter and opposite, providing size at the net.
- #2 Dhairya Patel (Jr., OH): A junior outside hitter expected to contribute to the primary scoring rotation.
- #3 Andre Palma (So., S, OPP): A sophomore who contributes as both a setter and an opposite hitter.
- #8 Victor Petrenko (Jr., S): A junior setter responsible for orchestrating the team's offensive sets.
- #9 Pedro Mejia Cruz (Sr., DS): A senior defensive specialist who anchors the back-row rotation.
Tactical Strengths
- Positional Versatility: Based on the roster, Elk Grove utilizes several players in multiple roles. Andre Palma (#3) is listed as a S/OPP, David Skupien (#7) as a DS/OH, and Oleksander Hryhorsyn (#15) as a MH/OPP. This flexibility allows for situational adjustments during rotations.
- Defensive Depth: The roster features four players specifically designated as defensive specialists (DS), including Nathan Schaus (#1), Taydon Marcos (#5), David Skupien (#7), and Pedro Mejia Cruz (#9). This concentration suggests a tactical emphasis on serve receive and floor defense.
Tactical Vulnerabilities
- Statistical Production Deficit: There are no stats available for Elk Grove on MaxPreps. This lack of data makes it difficult to verify their offensive efficiency or blocking success rates compared to their opponents.
- Experience Gap: The roster is heavily skewed toward underclassmen, with 12 of the 14 players being sophomores or juniors. This may present a challenge when facing a Lake Park team that features several college-committed seniors.
- Ranking Disparity: Elk Grove's state ranking of 195 places them at a statistical disadvantage against Lake Park, which holds the #18 spot in the state.
Opponent Analysis: Lake Park
Lake Park enters this match as the #18 ranked team in Illinois. Their "Offensive Engine" is Ethan Schnabel (#7), who has recorded 300 kills on 673 attacks this season. Their "Defensive Anchor" is Anthony (AJ) Bellavia (#4), who leads the team with 296 digs.
Lake Park features two players on the Illprepvb Top 100 list: Nolan Cocat (#15) and Jake Ellenbecker (#45). Cocat, a Purdue Fort Wayne commit, has recorded 177 kills and 82 total blocks while possessing a 6-10 height. Ellenbecker has contributed 94 kills and 56 total blocks with a 6-2 height. Elk Grove’s attackers will need to navigate a Lake Park defense that has produced 179.2 total points from Timmy Johnson and 82 blocks from Cocat.