Boys volleyball / Scouting Northwest

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Matt Aiello

Roster to include: Seniors Michael Maley, Evan Bunnetto, Andy Schnittker, Chris Szewczyk, Jose Aguillar; Juniors Joey Domingo, Brandon Reed Nikita Buluaski: Sophomores Tulio Ruschiti, Kevin Shanahan,Athan Cruz: Freshman Zach Schnittker, Blake Maley.

Coach’s outlook: “We should be a very strong defensive team, with a potential to be great,” said Aiello. “We’ve got the ability to move the ball around and get kills from many different players. We have the usual BG volleyball goals and the boys have every intention of being in position to do some special things come playoff time. We play one of the toughest schedules in Illinois and we’ll be prepared for the postseason.”

Elk Grove

Coach: Dan Windholz

Roster to include: Seniors Jake Gatziolis, Jake Braceros, Matt McKenna; Junior Karl Freidenfelds; Sophomores Sam Jasutis, Ray Kraus, Kevin Wickstrom.

Coach’s outlook: “We expect to go thru some growing pains,” said Windholz, as the Grens look to build on last year’s 31 win season, the most in school history (the Grens were also co-champs of the MSL East). “We’ll be solid mid-season through the playoffs.”

Hersey

Coach: Nancy Lill

Roster to include: Seniors Kevin Schroeder, Sahir Bhayani, Lukasz Swirtek; Juniors Mike Fuerst, Jordan Saaed, Fotis Christacos, Matt Torvik, Matt Aguilar, Alex Mueller; Sophomores Bart Migus, Peter Wesolowski, Kevin Messer, Drew Snelson.

Coach’s outlook: “We’re very optimistic this year,” said Lill. “We return almost our entire starting lineup with the exception of our outstanding setter Matt Cayton. We’re tall and very talented with plenty of weapsons. Bart Migus is an explosive outside hitter and possibly the best sophomore in the state, and Mike Fuerst provides a huge block and the ability to dominate at the net. Consistent backcourt play and setting will be critical to our success.”

Prospect

Coach: Mike Riedy

Roster to include: Seniors Curtis Glennon, Ryan Maloney, Mark Mir, Steve Mutzabah, Eric Wilms; Juniors Grant Andler, Max Ganzarz, Alex Goneh, Matt McPartlin, Jacob Schwister; Sophomores Kyle Formanski, Eryk Krzyzak.

Coach’s outlook: “We’re going to be fairly young this year,” said Riedy. “We’ve only got three returning with varsity experience while everyone else has moved up from last year’s junior varsity. But we’ve got some excellent talent — Mark Mir is one of the best setters in the area and Grant Adler will be a force to be reckoned with on the right side.”

Rolling Meadows

Coach: Timothy Piatek

Roster to include: Seniors Kevin Murphy, Peter Nickle, Brett Frey, Tim Ellis, David Sobkowicz, Matt Kuzniar, Sean O’Neil.

Coach’s outlook: “We’re expecting to have a solid season,” said Piatek. “At the forefront of our goals is to win a regional for the first time since 2005, and only the second time since 1996. We have our sights set on being more competitive than we have been in the recent past, and we have all of our starters returning – and almost everybody in that group played club ball in the off-season.”

Wheeling

Coach: Jason Kopkowski

Roster to include: Seniors Zack Nauert, Tim Lee, Jacob Del Toro, Jeremiah Levin, Henry Gonzalez, Jonathan Marquez, Jon Greer, Juan Gonzalez, Jack Anderson, Eric Ruttenberg, Nate Majkowski; Juniors Nick Stephani, Alex Kais, Sagar Kapadia.

Coach’s outlook: “We’re looking forward to revealing the team identity through our defensive play,” said Kopkowski. “We’ll be running a fast-paced offense leading to easier defensive plays by keeping our opponents off balance. We’re going to play with a ton of energy and this group of young men will make you want to lace up your volleyball shoes and get out on the court to play with them. They play with passion, heart, and a high intensity that is contagious.”

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Barrington

Coach: Rob Ridenour

Roster to include: Seniors Charlie Spry, Peter Van Fossan, Kevin Eiring, Colin Castagna, Ben Karon, Konrad Neptun, Matt Garcia, Anthony Guagliardo, Evan Lee; Juniors Tommy Soifer, Conor Wright, Carl Lenling, Indy Nenn, Mike Amato; Sophomore Noah Ricchetti.

Coach’s outlook: “We have a lot of competition for playing time this year,” said Ridenour, who’s team took home the third-place state trophy in 2012. “The biggest strength of this team is our overall athleticism and blocking, and the keys for us will be the development of our ball control and offensive error minimization. Our practices are going to provide great competition and this is something that we can really embrace.”

Conant

Coach: Steven Peter

Roster to include: Seniors Ajay Patel, Jason Chung, Joseph Dahm, Brendan Pasbrig, Kevin Lee, Juniors Patryk Openchowski, Mark Tomuta, Robert Wozniak, Sophomores Jordan Hughes, Connor Lejman, John Levitt, Christopher Wegenek.

Coache’s outlook: “We’re bringing back some young players that have had some varsity experience,” said Peter. “We’ll have sophomores, juniors and seniors playing side by side using good communication and sound fundamentals. Each season seems packed with tough competition – this year is no exception, and we’re looking forward to some great matches with the MSL teams this year.”

Fremd

Coach: Curt Pinley

Roster to include: Seniors David Kim, Eric Scott, Venkat Ganne, Patrick Van Havermaet, Kyle Wienold; Juniors Sharief Scott, Aaron Kent, Tim Vandon, Tanner Rubin, Andrew Larson.

Coach’s outlook: “As a coaching staff we’re really excited about the upcoming season,” said Pinley. “ We

have a young team in terms of varsity experience but they are hardworking and athletic. Our program is moving forward in a positive direction and we are looking forward to our final destination come the end of the season.”

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Dan Hutton

Roster to include: Seniors Noman Baig, Jason Girard, Anthony Koo, Brandon Kwiatkowski, Anthony Nguyen, Jovi Pablo, Shaurya Patel, Ryan Seong, Juniors Gregg Lugo, Anthony Orozco, Connor Rodheim, Sophomore Matt Stacy.

Coach’s outlook: “This season our seniors are excited to make an impact,” said Hutton. “Brandon, Jovi, Ryan and Gregg all saw a substantial amount of playing time (last season) and are ready to lead the new varsity members. Our team has been working hard in the off-season and have been developing excellent team chemistry since day one of tryouts. The team goal is to be competitive in the MSL and advance farther in the post season than we have in the last few years.”

Palatine

Coach: Frank Stark

Roster to include: Seniors Danny Matijevic, Brian Keough, David Clark, Enrique Aragon, Kareem Anderson, Christian Frahm, Jerry Sommerfeld; Juniors Jakub Niedzwiecki, Kyle Obernesser; Sophomores Ryan Campbell, Tyler Kendzior

Coach’s outlook: “I believe we have a solid group of athletes that are willing to put in the time and work to assure themselves a successful season,” said Stark. “I have a smaller team this year, but they are filled with competitiveness. We’re all very excited to get this season rolling and to find out what we are capable of. Our conference is always tough and I really feel like anyone could win on any given day, but I think this year we could be scary good come playoff time.”

Schaumburg

Coach: Jeffrey O’Brien

Roster to include: Seniors Jack Sullivan, Jeremy Musni, Adam Kobiela, Dominic Saragaglia, Brandon Giska, Brad Norris; Juniors Daniel Jarosz, Grant Lindgren, Stephen Knitter, Romario Rios, Cameran Nolan; Sophomore Nidhin Thomas.

Coach’s outlook: “For this season,” said O’Brien, “I’m very excited to see the boys competing in the MSL. We have a young roster with only one returning starter that is at full health, but we’re working hard to put together all the pieces.”

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine West

Coach: Randy Tiller

Roster to include: Seniors DJ O’Neill, Eric Walusiak, Tomasz Ksiazkiewicz, Ken Fester, Kurt Fester, Paraj Patel, Glen Beatty; Junior Ryan VanWees, Liam Higgins, Mike Gorski, Peter Tedeshi, Tom Erurikal.

Coach’s outlook: “This team is faster and taller than last year,” said Tiller. “We have a core of dedicated returning players and they should be able to score against most opponents. If we can use our height to it’s fullest, we’ll present an effective defense. We’ll be stronger in conference this year and this team is working to finish with an above .500 record.”

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

St. Viator

Coach: Chris Boylan

Roster to include: Seniors Anthony Giovenco, Ryan Lavelle, Brennan Harrington, Austin Ziakas, Orinn Wolf, Nick Frank, Andrew Underys; Juniors Mark Tun, Mike Cieniawa, Brendan Koller, Ethan Wolf, Kyle Knox, Matt Syzlinski, Freddy Purcell; Sophomore Ryan Schiller.

Coach’s outlook: “We’re going to be a very experienced team,” said Boylan. “We have four returning starters and the majority have been playing year-round, so we’ll come in to the season prepared. Last season was a turning point in our program — it was the second most successful season in school history and we look to continue to build on that.”

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Leyden

Coach: Matt Figiel

Roster to include: Seniors Mark Marroquin, Emanuel Avila, Angel Bolivar, Ulisses Rodriguez, Emilio Villarreal, Misael Delgado, Nate Romasanta; Juniors Julius Figeuroa, Jacob Lazzorotto, Michael Bugaj, Eric Delao, Moises Merlos; Freshman Robert Simon.

Coaches outlook: “We’re looking forward to a great season,” said Figiel. “We lost four seniors last yeat but have a lot of young talent. We’re excited to get the season underway. We have high hopes and would be disappointed with anything less than another regional championship.”