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Boys volleyball: Scouting the Fox Valley

Bartlett HawksCoach: Bob Schwantz (fourth year)

Conference: Upstate Eight Valley

Last year: 16-16, 2-3

Top returning players: Ricky Foster (Jr. MB), Ben Saldivar (Sr. RS/S), Dominik Stanisz (Sr. MB)

Top newcomers: Nick Arco (Jr. OH), Justin Hayes (So. OH), Jose Sandoval (So. RS/S)

Season outlook: A new-look team takes the court after the program graduated eight seniors, including both starting setters, an all-conference libero and three-time all-conference outside hitter Mike Gulczynski, now a freshman at West Point. "I will need some new leaders to step up and take control," Bartlett coach Bob Schwantz said. "We have two huge holes at the outside hitter and setter position, but I know my guys will do everything they can to face those challenges head on." The Hawks will tab a sophomore as one of their setters, 6-foot-4 Jose Sandoval. Another sophomore, 6-3 Justin Hayes, gets a shot on the outside. Seniors Ben Salvidar and Domink Stanisz are the most experienced returnees. "I think our biggest weakness right now is maturity," Schwantz said, "but this is something that can be fixed by getting this group of guys out there and just playing together. The more touches they get on the court, the better their timing will be with one another and that will, hopefully, translate into wins."

Elgin MaroonsCoach: Scott Stewart (fifth year)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

Last year: 7-29, 1-4

Top returning players: Kal Daranikone (Sr. DS), Eric Hernandez (Sr. S), Dennis Keophilalay (Sr. MB), Brian Munoz (Sr. L), Travis Paquin (Sr. OH/RS), Scotty Valena (Sr. OH/DS)

Top newcomers: Courtese Cooper (So. MB), Walker Demel (So, OH), Edwin Escobar (Sr. DS), Eleno Montes (Jr. RS/S), Kyle Tayag (Jr. OH), Rudy Romo (Jr. OH/DS)

Season outlook: The goal is pretty straightforward, according to coach Scott Stewart: "Be more competitive." He said the Maroons need to finish off the close games they were unable to win last season, particularly against crosstown rival Larkin. Elgin has talent, but remains modest in its aspiration to win 11 matches, which would set a new program record. A reason for optimism is the addition of 6-foot-6 sophomore Courtese Cooper, also a varsity basketball player. He and fellow sophomore Walker Demel (6-2) bring some much-needed height to a lineup of returning players who average 5-9. Elgin's returning go-to player is senior setter Eric Hernandez, a three-year starter who last season was a unanimous all-Upstate Eight River selection. This team will rely on heart, according to its coach. "Because of our athleticism and heart we hope to win the program's first regional title," Stewart said. "This only obstacle standing in our way is us. With the team we have this year, though, I believe anything is possible."

Larkin RoyalsCoach: Jason Yeates (first year)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

Last year: 2-24-1, 0-6

Top returning players: Lionel Perez (Sr. OH/L/S), Abel Saenz (Jr. OH),

Top newcomers: Angel Rivera (Jr. OH), Christian Serrano (Jr. OH/L)

Season outlook: The Royals regroup with a new coach who inherits a graduation-depleted team. A total of 11 seniors moved on from last year's squad, which struggled overall. Senior Lionel Perez, a versatile player able to play multiple positions, and junior outside hitter Abel Saenz are the team's most-experienced returnees. As a junior, Saenz finished with 35 kills, 28 digs and 4 aces and made only 13 errors in 130 serve-receive chances. They will form the heart of the lineup along with promising junior outside hitters Angel Rivera (6-0) and Christian Serrano (6-0). The Royals do boast some height in senior middle Victor Vyleta (6-6) and junior middle Josiah Harris (6-5). Vyleta had 38 blocks and 28 kills as a junior. New coach Jason Yeates hopes the new lineup yields better results. "We are looking to be a lot more competitive this season," he said. "Losing 11 seniors is tough as we'll need to fill those shoes, but I believe we have the athletes to step up in those spots and compete with the other teams in the conference ... One key to being successful is ball control. (We) need to be able to control the ball on our side to run an effective offense."

St. Edward Green WaveCoach: M. Claudia Sandoval (fourth year)

Conference: Metro Suburban

Top returning players: Joseph Gleeson (Sr. S), Emilio Guia (Sr. RS/MH), Andrew O'Neill (Jr. OH/RS)

Top newcomers: Collan O'Neill (Fr. MH)

Season outlook: The Green Wave graduated only three players from a team that was ousted in a regional quarterfinal last season by York, 25-3, 25-16. Senior setter Joseph Gleeson (captain), senior Emilio Guia and junior Andrew O'Neill are the most experienced returnees. Freshman Collan O'Neill is expected to contribute at both the JV and varsity levels right away. "This year will be one of many challenges, but my teams play hard," fourth-year Green Wave coach M. Claudia Sandoval said. "They do not give up and are not easily discouraged. We lost many great players in the past two years to graduation and my team this year will have to play very hard. I have total faith in the m and their ability."

South Elgin StormCoach: Adam Plach (seventh year)

Conference: Upstate Eight Valley

Last year: 27-16, 4-1

Top returning players: Jose Gomez (Sr. OPP), Cameron Nylec (Jr. OH/MH), Chris La Calamita (Sr. OH), Jack Scheffler (Sr. S)

Top newcomers: Joe Besler (Jr. S/L), Phil Patel (Jr. S/L), Dan Sedlack (Jr. S)

Season outlook: The Storm enjoyed its finest season to date last spring with 27 victories and a share of the UEC Valley title with Waubonsie Valley, the boys volleyball program's first conference title. However, the entire 2014 starting lineup - including outside hitter Nate Marotta, middles Dan Gibadlo and Ian Sexton, setter Chris Gibadlo and opposite hitter Owen Bott - graduated, leaving only four returning players from last year's roster. "We are completely reloading this year," South Elgin coach Adam Plach said. "I am going to see what our most competitive lineup looks like and they will be the players on the court. I think we have the athletes to be competitive, but we will have to see how they will come together." The Storm has some height on the edges with 6-foot-3 opposite Jose Gomez and 6-4 junior outside hitter Cameron Nylec and in the middle with 6-3 junior Daniel Sedlack and 6-6 junior Ryan Ottens.

Streamwood SabresCoach: Lisa Harrison (fifth year)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

Last year: 21-16, 2-3

Top returning players: Anthony Berrios (Sr. MH/S), Demarco Chancellor (Sr. OH), Jonah Exline (Sr. OH/MH), Brandon Montemayor (Sr. RS/MH), Miles Suarez (Sr. L)

Top newcomers: Jeremy Gumila (Jr. S)

Season outlook: The Sabres return three third-year varsity starters from a team that won 21 matches a year ago, which could translate to a deeper postseason run than a year ago when the they bowed out in a 3-set regional quarterfinal loss to Rolling Meadows. Driving higher expectations are seniors Jonah Exline, Brandon Montemayor and Anthony Berrios. Exline is adept attacking from the outside and blocking in the middle and always poses a threat. Montemayor is a smart right side/middle blocker. Jump serving middle/setter Berrios attacks intensely and gives the team stability, according to his coach. "I am looking for the team to be a lot more comfortable with each other this year," Streamwood coach Lisa Harrison said. "Three of them have been playing varsity for the past three years together and I am looking at them to really make things happen out there." Harrison called junior setter Jeremy Gumila another developing leader.

Westminster Christian WarriorsCoach: Josh Landers (fifth year)

Conference: Northeastern Athletic

Last year: 10-15

Top returning players: Chad Christensen (Jr. L), Drew Dahlman (Jr. OH), Danny Kott (Jr. OH), Matt Swing (Sr. MH)

Top newcomers: Cameron Sorce (Fr. S)

Season outlook: The Warriors enter the 2015 season with high expectations, thanks to a core group that has been playing together for three seasons: senior Matt Swing and juniors Chad Christensen, Drew Dahlman and Danny Kott. That group helped Westminster Christian set a new school record last season with 10 victories. That group also finished second at the IMSA Tournament. Coach Josh Landers thinks this squad can do better. He said the team's goals include finishing with a winning record, winning a trophy at one of the three tournaments the Warriors will play this season and winning the first regional playoff game in the program's short history. "We will achieve these goals by staying competitive in every match," Landers said. "We can't beat ourselves with service errors or poor serve receive. We also have to believe we are capable of being competitive in every game we play and play with that kind of confidence. Our strength will be our selfless passion for the game and willingness to play for one another." Landers said he expects Westminster's net game to be strong and its back row quick. The experienced returning hitters will be set by promising freshman Angelo Sorce. "(He) is a freshman with great potential so we are excited about the future and some consistency down the road," Landers said, "but getting used to one another will take a few weeks."

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