Danny Glotzbach, Jason Van Tiem, Jimmy Kennedy, and Patrick Kennelly discussed the possibility of gathering a group of boys to formulate a competitive volleyball team for the Hilltoppers.  The 4 freshmen had volleyball experience through St. Petronille School and realized that Glenbard West was the only school in the West Suburban Silver Conference that did not acquire a boys volleyball program.  With the support and many meetings, the boys felt they were making progress and that a future for Boys Volleyball was near.

BOYS AQUIRE A VOLLEYBALL TEAM AT WEST.  With uniforms, offsite facilities, a volunteer coach Christine Giunta-Mayer, and NO TEAMS TO PLAY, the boys simply organized their own practices and worked towards the future.  With the support of the GEPD, community schools, and the village of Glen Ellyn, the boys worked out twice a week and played inner-squad scrimmages to better themselves.  They were given a few open gym times at Glenbard West where they attempted to recruit students for their future program.  From March through May 21st the boys continued to promote and encourage the Glenbard West Athletic Department to consider the beginning of a Boy’s Volleyball Team. They were making strides and continued to practice without any competitions in order to assure that they were serious about making this an opportunity for others in the future.  The 2002 team consisted of Danny Glotzbach, Jason Van Tiem, Jimmy Kennedy, Peter Comerford, Patrick Kennelly, Nate Burrows, Kevin Rohr, and Brad Taylor.

2004

BOY’S VOLLEYBALL… CONTINUES TO GROW.  More meetings, many proposals, and a lot of information from the IHSA on what they could and could not do, the boys receive devastating news that the Glenbard West referendum did not pass.  Although morale is low, the boys pursued their request for a team.  With bigger strides, much persistence, and consistent determination, the boy’s felt they have a chance.  Christine Giunta-Mayer coached both teams, offsite and onsite facilities were used for practices, support came from different groups of parents and Glenbard West allowed for the students to display and show case their team.  In March the boys hosted an open gym at Beister.  They knew great opportunities were to come when Brett Kuzniar walked in the gym, which later became a key role to the Hilltopper success.  In April non-conference teams were notified and slowly a small schedule was built.   2004 was a big year for the boy’s volleyball team as a freshmen and Junior Varsity Team became a reality.

Let the games begin.

BOY’S VOLLEYBALL EMMERGES AT GLENBARD WEST HIGH SCHOOL Coach Giunta-Mayer and the boys continued to encourage students to try out for volleyball.  Rules and regulations meetings, hiring their own referees, scoring their own games, setting up for their 7 home competitions, finding busses, parents meetings, and delivering the information to the student body that there was to be an emerging sport at Glenbard West. In the spring of 2005 the Glenbard West Boy’s Volleyball Association was founded.  Glenbard West held their first Boys Volleyball Tryouts in Beister Gym. With enough interest and continued support from Coach Christine Giunta-Mayer (Sophomore and Varsity Coach) and the hiring of Freshman Coach Tim Hoder, the Glenbard West Boy’s Volleyball Association was able to field a freshman, sophomore, and Junior Varsity Team.  The boys were not participating in the West Suburban Silver Conference, however they were an emerging program and given the opportunity to join the teams in the IHSA Regional/Sectional Competition.  The Glenbard Boys were determined to prove that they had a program that would last, draw interest, and lead to much success.  Teams such as Fenton, St. Francis, St. Edwards, Montini Catholic, Lockport High School, IMSA, and St. Patrick’s took on the mighty Hill toppers.   Everything was going there their way.  In late March a local high school team dropped out of the Glenbard East Varsity Tournament and Hilltoppers were given an opportunity to show that they had what it took to play with the Big Boys.  They became a member of one of the toughest tournaments in the West and were soon getting recognition from other schools, coaches, and the Daily Herald.  With a great future ahead and hopes for finally becoming a member of the IHSA, Glenbard West Boy’s Volleyball was finally established and a recognized sport at Glenbard West High School.

GLENBARD WEST BOY’S VOLLEBYALL BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE IHSA.  The hard work had all paid off for the boys volleyball program.  Persistence, patience, and determination allowed for this group of boys to accomplish their goal, just in time for their senior year.  With 35 boys in the program, freshman A/B teams, junior varsity teams, and varsity teams developed.   The boys became an official member of the IHSA and were given the opportunity to compete in a number of games in the spring season.  The Varsity alone played 32 games and competed in the Glenbard East, Vernon Hills, Bartlett, and Benet Tournaments (Benet beginning their first program this year).  The Hilltoppers were given the opportunity to play Proviso West, Hinsdale Central, and Oak Park River Forest in order to prepare them for their conference competition next year (finishing 1-2).  They also competed against top teams in their region including Morton, Benet, St. Francis, and Leyden.  New uniforms, scheduled refs, 11 home competitions, court time, and continual support from parents, friends, coaches, and Glenbard West, Jason Van Tiem (sr.), Danny Glotzbach (sr.), Jimmy Kennedy (sr.), and Patrick Kennelly (sr.) played competitive volleyball their senior year.  Through their recruitment and valid efforts to have a memorable season, Peter Comerford (sr.), Ryan Comerford (jr.), Brett Kuzniar (sr.), Brian Hyosaka (sr.), Brad Taylor (sr.), Paul Hale (sr.), and Johnny Shurna (soph.) allowed for an outstanding season finishing with a winning record of 18-17. Brett Kuzniar was given the honor of ALL-AREA and attended the University of Iowa where he competes in Division I volleyball for the Hawkeyes. Congratulations to the graduating seniors who were a part of history at Glenbard West.  The history of the program was told at an emotional Senior Night as the boys met with all of their friends and families to say farewell.  They thanked everyone that allowed for the success of the program and played in Beister Gym for the last time.  In 2006 the teams accomplished something that was worth waiting for and continue to look forward to next season as members of the West Suburban Silver Conference (Proviso West, Hinsdale Central, York, Downers Grove North, Oak Park River Forest, Lyons Township, and GLENBARD WEST!)

2006 Roster

2006 Stats

2007

GLENBARD WEST BOYS VOLLEBYALL A MEMBER OF THE WCC CONFERENCE.  The year 2007 brought much success for the Glenbard West Boys Volleyball Program.  Coach Giunta-Mayer and the boys knew this year would bring growth to their program, along with competition.  As the Hilltoppers began their season, they realized they had finally reached a top level of competition.  Their schedule included highly ranked teams such as Hinsdale Central, L.T., O.P.R.F., Benet, St. Francis, Mundelein, Nequa Valley, DGN, Morton, and Oswego.  2007 also brought more students to the program, which included fourteen Varsity, fourteen J.V., and twelve freshmen.  With the entire Varsity team graduating their seniors last year, the juniors and two sophomores lead the team and brought more experience to Glenbard West Boys Volleyball.  The boys highlighted their season by taking 3rd in the Bartlett and Vernon Hills tournaments, almost upsetting state ranked Hinsdale Central (32-2), taking IMSA in two, beginning their season with a 3-0 record, and watching their teammates succeed in everyway. 

With history in the making, Kit Ortmann was the first Boys Volleyball All-Conference recipient, what an accomplishment.  The boys also highlight their game vs. Hinsdale South @ the Vernon Hills tournament as Johnny Shurna announced his acceptance of a basketball scholarship to Northwestern during their warm-ups!  Go Johnny!  The Junior Varsity squad also made history, as the first Glenbard West Boys Volleyball Team to take a conference title with a record of 5-1, overall record of 18-5. The Hilltoppers also hosted the first Boys Hilltopper Invitational Challenge at Glenbard West for 7th and 8th graders.  The tournament brought 18 teams to Glenbard West and a lot of young and perspective volleyball players.  The program was on the rise with another experienced coach on board, Coach Dan Scott provided energy and a great understanding of the game. 

Always a supporter, Coach Tim Hoder was another key to the success of the students and big thanks for years of experience.  Finally, Coach Pete Mastandrea has been an asset to the program as Coach Giunta-Mayer works in the fall with the Varsity Girls VB Program.  The two programs have merged, sharing equipment, sharing gym space, and sharing strategies.  Coach Mastandrea and Coach Mayer have taken a turn with GWVB.  Coach Giunta-Mayer looks forward to 2008 with a four year setter Jack Kennedy returning, an older Varsity team with years of volleyball under their belts, and a new freshmen class with lot of talent and experience. 

2007 Roster

2007 Stats

2007 Standings

2008

MAKING HISTORY- Not enough can be said about the Glenbard West Boys volleyball program in 2008.  History was made, goals were met, and the Toppers had an unforgettable year.  With Coach Giunta-Mayer coaching the program for its sixth season, the boys knew the expectations for the spring were high. The talent was there, the athletes were dedicated, and the Varsity set three team goals, in which all were accomplished, and then some!  With the highest enrollment of student-athletes to join the program, the GWBVBA was no longer building.  They had started a journey that was attracting top quality athletes and gained the confidence they needed to have a winning season (19-15).  With only 2 returning seniors from the previous year, the young Hilltoppers proved to the WSSC that they could compete with the best.  The Varsity Topper boys highlighted their season by making history.  This year alone they were awarded 2 all-conference players (captains Jack Kennedy and Kit Ortmann), had a winning record in the conference of 4-2 (3^rd place defeating OPRF, York, Proviso West, and Downers Grove North), went 4-1 in the Vernon Hills tournament, finishing second place overall, had a Senior Captain Kit Ortmann named all-area (Daily Herald), and most important, boys volleyball was accepted into Glenbard West High School and will be recognized and funded as an official sport in 2009. 

Once again, senior leadership was key to the Hilltoppers success, Captains Kit Ortmann and Jack Kennedy were given the West Suburban Silver all-conference honors.  Kit Ortmann finished the season with 349 kills (averaging 10 kills per game) and Jack Kennedy was the connecting player who made it happen.  The only two returning seniors inspired and energized the team to set the bar high, and go for it all.  They were key components in chemistry of the team, and left a mark in the program that will never be forgotten.  Kit was also given the program’s second all-area award and was recognized by the Daily Herald as one of the best players in the DuPage County.   The Varsity as a whole produced many upsets defeating Morton (Gold Division conference champs), Downers Grove South, Hinsdale South, and Vernon Hills. 

The Varsity was not the only team that deserved recognition.  The Junior Varsity squad defended their title as they pulled through for two consecutive years as conference champions.  They beat their conference record last year finishing 6-0.  Once again Coach Dan Scott provided the program with more volleyball knowledge.  But we can’t stop there.  As the history of the program continues, it’s time to put the freshman in the books.  With a record of 5-1, our freshman boys’ team won the conference.  This was a testimony to the time and dedication that our new coach, Pete Mastandera, brought to the program.  We also were fortunate to have a fourth coach, George Ellis, who acted as our conditioning and rotating coach.   With an unbelievable coaching staff and motivated student-athletes, every level finished their 2008 seasons with winning records, the best year ever.

Finally, nothing more can be said without mentioning the support from our parents, student-athletes, alumni, coaches, mangers, and fans.  Without all of you, the program would not be where it is today, and would not have been given an opportunity to go in the direction that it is headed.  The merge of the girls and boys program has made a tremendous difference in our success.  Coach Pete Mastandrea and Coach Giunta-Mayer understand the importance of the connection between the boys and girls programs  Sharing equipment, exchanging stories, creating new drills, looking to the future, designing practices, cleaning up equipment, taking care of Glenbard West High School, and most importantly, teaching and coaching kids to value their school, their programs, and themselves. More thanks to the amazing managers (Liz Lombardi, Emily Lombardi, Erin Loftus, Ruth Mulvihill, Kim Lancaster), the awesome play by play throughout the games (Tommy Nalon), the support from the founders of the program (Jim Kennedy, John Glotzbach), and the new student-athletes to come, you can expect more from the Glenbard West Boys Volleyball in the future.

2008 Roster

2008 Stats

2008 Standings

2009

2009 Roster

2009 Stats

2009 Standings