vs Glenbard South #42

Glenbard South High School enters its April 08, 2026, match against Lake Park with a 3-0 overall record for the 2025-26 season. The Raiders are currently unranked in the state top 25 and national top 100 rankings. Following a 17-19 finish in the previous season, the program returns 12 players who saw varsity court time last year. Head coach Chad Grant has identified this roster as having the most depth in his coaching career, characterized by several versatile athletes capable of playing multiple positions.

Team Overview

The Raiders are positioned as one of the most experienced rosters in the Upstate Eight Conference. The team identity is built on a high volume of returning contributors and a significant influx of high-level club talent at the freshman level. Based on available preseason data, the team focuses on a balanced attack rather than relying on a single dominant hitter. While the team finished below .500 last year, the current 3-0 start suggests a successful transition of their 12 returning players into more prominent roles. The roster features a mix of senior leadership on the pins and junior experience in the back row.

Key Players to Watch

• Troy Oleksak (RS, # unavailable): A 6-3 height senior and two-time all-conference selection. Oleksak is a primary offensive producer, having recorded 219 kills, 49 blocks, 113 digs, and 20 aces during the 2024-25 season.
• Jackson McCabe (RS, # unavailable): A 6-4 height senior and St. Xavier University recruit. McCabe provides versatility as both a hitter and a setter, tallying 168 assists, 54 kills, and 21 blocks last season.
• Aaron Gomez (L, #5): A 5-7 height junior libero. Gomez recorded 211 digs, 58 assists, and 27 aces last year. He brings elite club experience as a member of the SPVB B18 Lenny program, which was ranked 7th in the final June 2025 club rankings.
• Owen Stauber (S/H, # unavailable): A 6-1 height freshman. Despite his age, Stauber is expected to contribute immediately in a dual role as a hitter and setter. He is a member of the SPVB B15 Elite club team, which finished the 2025 club season ranked 1st nationally in the 15s division.
• Emmett Foster-Simbulan (OH/MH, # unavailable): A 6-0 height junior who contributed 140 kills, 35 blocks, 132 digs, and 31 aces last season.

Tactical Strengths

• Right-Side Offensive Production: The Raiders utilize a 6-3 height (Oleksak) and 6-4 height (McCabe) tandem on the right side. This pairing combined for 273 kills last season and provides a significant blocking presence against opponent outside hitters.
• Back-Row Consistency: With Aaron Gomez at libero, the Raiders possess a defender with 211 digs of varsity experience and high-level club training. This is supplemented by senior setter Dom Kuceba, who recorded 122 digs last season alongside 417 assists, indicating a defensive reliability in the setting position.
• Roster Depth and Versatility: Coach Grant has noted that several players can find success in multiple positions. This allows for tactical flexibility during matches and high-intensity internal competition during practices.
• Service Pressure: The returning core demonstrated proficiency at the service line last year, with Foster-Simbulan (31), Gomez (27), and Kuceba (22) combining for 80 aces.

Tactical Vulnerabilities

• Height Deficit at the Net: While the Raiders are experienced, they lack the extreme verticality found in top-tier programs. The primary middle blockers are Kallen Olson (6-3 height) and freshman Tyler Urbanowicz (6-1 height). This may present a significant disadvantage when matching up against Lake Park’s Nolan Cocat (6-10 height) and Owen Mueller (6-9 height).
• Reliance on Freshman Integration: Significant expectations are placed on freshmen Owen Stauber and Tyler Urbanowicz. While both play for the top-ranked 15s club in the country, the transition to high school varsity play against senior-heavy teams like Lake Park remains a point of observation.
• Historical Performance Against Elite Competition: Glenbard South is currently unranked and finished last season with a losing record. There is no available data to suggest they have secured a victory against a top-10 ranked opponent in the current or previous season.
• Middle Hitting Production: Outside of Foster-Simbulan, the returning middle blockers Olson and Urbanowicz have limited varsity offensive stats (Olson had 52 kills last season). This could lead to an over-reliance on the pins if the middle attack is not established early.