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Boys volleyball: Scouting the Fox Valley

Bartlett

Coach: Robert Schwantz, seventh year

Conference: Upstate Eight Valley

2017 record: 11-21

Top Returning players: Juniors Carter Burzlaff (S), Jacob Bush (MH), Sohum Desai (L), Garrett Jurina (RS), Martin Radomski (OH), Toiyon Walton (MH)

Top Newcomers: Seniors Mark Repiscak (OH), Jonathan Ruge (S)

Outlook: Exponential growth. That's how Schwantz describes the difference in his team since last season when he played mostly sophomores and freshmen. All played club volleyball in the off-season (many for the first time) and return better equipped to handle the speed of varsity volleyball. Leading the way is returning team MVP and all-UEC selection Walton. "Of all the teams I have coached over the years, this is the best team I've ever had," Schwantz said of a team with three seniors. "We aren't heavy in just one area. We have multiple options." Bartlett's seventh-year coach said the Hawks are improved defensively, both at the net and along the back row. The team benefits from two club-trained setters in Burzlaff and Ruge, allowing the offense to run through any hitting position. This team is experienced but still relatively young. Seven players on the 12-man roster are juniors. "They are all very invested in this program and they want to see their hard work turn into success on the court," Schwantz said. "I'm excited for this season and I can't wait to see how high our ceiling can get."

Elgin

Coach: Andy LeGoff, first year

Conference: Upstate Eight River

2017 record: 20-17, 3-3 UEC River

Top Returning players: Seniors Orlando Barrera (L), Brian Cedillo (DS), Nilay Patel (S), Roman Sentowski (OH); junior David Quezada (DS)

Top Newcomers: Senior Jeff Phoulavong (RS); juniors Damaryan Benton (RS), Arnold Noracky (MB), Ramon Orozco (DS), Luis Ramos (OH), Antonio Sanchez-Lopez (MB)

Outlook: The future looks bright on Maroon Drive, according to first-year coach LeGoff. He takes over for Scott Stewart, who stepped down after eight seasons. Elgin returns five starters from a winning team, including three improved defensive players: Barrera, Cedillo and Quezada. Patel returns to set with a year of varsity experience under his belt. His top weapon will be Sentowski on the outside. No returning starter exceeds 6 feet, so the additions of Phoulavong (6-2), Ramos (6-1) and Sanchez-Lopez (6-1). "We have a very athletic team that may lack in height but they make up for it with scrappy, hard play every single point," LeGoff said. "We host two tournaments this year and we are hoping to capture some hardware in at least one of them."

Geneva

Coach: Stephanie Rasmussen, third year (28-38)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2017 record: 12-22

Top Returning players: Seniors Will Courter (M), Max McCloughan (OH), Anthony Panizzi (M), Matt Will (L/S)

Top Newcomers: Juniors Will Johnson (RS), Ted Simpson (RS), Riley Waldoch (OH)

Outlook: The Vikings' 2017 season ended with a loss to St. Charles North in a regional final. Geneva hosts the regional this time around. The goal is to win a regional title on its home floor, said coach Rasmussen. Being in that position come May will require growth considering few Vikings specialize in the sport year round. The squad has a strength up the center with returning middles Courter and Panizzi. McCloughan returns on the outside and the versatile Will can play libero or setter. Three-sport athlete Waldoch joins the team as an outside hitter while Johnson and Simpson fortify the outside hitter position. "I have a very coachable, open-minded, driven and determined group of volleyball players," Rasmussen said. "I expect our team to grown exponentially from March to May. We have a lot to learn, but I expect Geneva to be very competitive when May rolls around."

Huntley

Coach: Gerry Marchand, second year

Conference: None

Top Returning players: Seniors Charlie Johnson (M), Jay Patel (L), Aaron Winters (Opp)

Top Newcomers: Seniors Adam Kaster (S), Alvaro Martin (S), Drake McHugh (OH), Dan Park (M)

Outlook: The Huntley boys volleyball program enters its second year with a team determined to improve. When the Red Raiders returned from a tournament in Grayslake last weekend, the players asked coach Marchand if they could get in the gym to practice more. "I've coached several teams from different sports on and off for 12 years and no team has ever asked to practice after a competition," Marchand said. Such dedication to betterment can only lead to good things down the road for a program initiated three years ago by Jacob Pryzdzial and Juan Collazo and now stewarded by Marchand and assistant Josh Hobday. The Red Raiders return three experienced players in Johnson, Patel and Winters. Several seniors have joined the burgeoning program. "We have enough talent at Huntley High School to win boys volleyball championships," Marchand said. "It's just a matter of time. It's boys like the ones we have now that are paving that road for future championship teams, and coach Hobday and I are excited to be a part of it."

Larkin

Coach: Katie Smiley, first season

Conference: Upstate Eight River

2017 record: 6-23

Top Returning players: Seniors Justin Ave (DS/L), Grant Hattendorf (OH), Carlos Santos (RS)

Top Newcomers: Juniors Manny Delgado (S), Fernando Guzman (RS); sophomore Kendall Burns (M); freshman Trevor Matison (M)

Outlook: The Larkin High School community continues to mourn volleyball player Jonathan Duran, who lost his life in an automobile accident on the first day of tryouts. The Royals attended his services together, traveling via team bus to do so. Though the practice schedule was set back a week, Larkin managed to win a 3-set thriller over in the season opener against Harlem on March 19. The team intends to honor Duran at every game by draping the last jersey he ever wore over a chair on the bench. A "blackout" game is planned later this season in his memory. Directing the Royals through this difficult time is Smiley, a first-year varsity coach in her third year with the program. She coached the current juniors as freshmen. Smiley expects to win more games than in 2017 (6) and 2016 (5). The program has grown to 60 players, enough to form full A and B teams. Veterans like team captain Hattendorf (6-3), Santos and Ave provide steady play and leadership. New blood includes Delgado at setter, Guzman on the right side and Burns (6-1) in the middle. Mattison, a freshman, plays three sports and is being mentored by Hattendorf, according to their first-year coach. The entire season is dedicated to Duran's memory. "The attitude of the players on my team has drastically changed since Jonathan's passing, and I see such purpose in every move each player makes," Smiley said.

Marmion

Coach: Barb Ebert, second year

Conference: Chicago Catholic League White Divsion

2017 record: 3-3 CCL White

Top Returning players: Seniors Mark Ebert (S), Tim Hoying (OH), Carlos Luna (OH); juniors Jake Bettag (M), Christian Damico (DS), Zach Minnis (S), John Roche (OH)

Top Newcomers: Sophomores Ben Riner (M), James Tews (L)

Outlook: Ebert and assistants have chosen to roster a smaller, cohesive varsity team in the fledgling program's second varsity season, she said. Seven seniors from last year's inaugural team graduated after finishing .500 in CCL White play. This squad is composed of three seniors, four juniors and two sophomores, all of whom played at some level last season. Bettag was named all-CCL White as a sophomore. Systems and strategies not yet in place a year ago should allow the Cadets to compete at a higher level. The season started well with a win over St. Joseph last Thursday. This team lacks year-round players with club experience but not enthusiasm. "Our strength is a great group of young athletes who are very dedicated to giving their best and helping our program secure good standing and a good reputation," Ebert said.

St. Charles East

Coach: Kate McCullagh

Conference: Upstate Eight

Top Returning players: Seniors Lucas Coker (S), Matt Kolet (OH), Drew Olsen (M), Jeff Makowski (DS)

Top Newcomers: Sophomores Jakob Coker (DS), Jacob Stark (M)

Outlook: The Saints should be competitive in the Upstate Eight with the likes of returnees like Kolet and Olsen, set by Lucas Coker. Sophomore Jakob Coker joins the experienced Makowski along the back row. Stark, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, gives the team desperately needed height since junior Mikelis Brunovskis (6-3) is the only other Saint taller than 6-1. St. Charles East opened the season 5-1 and won the silver division at the Marist Tournament last weekend. McCullagh said her team is "looking forward to another competitive season."

St. Charles North

Coach: Todd Weimer, ninth season (176-118)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2017 record: 20-19

Top Returning players: Seniors David Beach (S/RS), Brendan Dal Degan (OH/RS), Max DeDobbelaere (L), Caleb Del Rosario (S), Kyle Donlevy (OH/RS), Tommy Koppang (OH/RS), Zach Yakes (M)

Outlook: The experienced, ever-hungry North Stars are loaded and ready for more on the heels of consecutive sectional final appearances. Led by co-captains Koppang, who is committed to play at Pepperdine, and basketball player Dal Degan, North is composed of an eclectic mix of kids who play club volleyball, football, basketball, swim and participate in band. They are poised to win more of the close matches that could have gone either way a season ago. Things got off on the right foot last week when the North Stars completed a program sweep of traditional state power Wheaton Warrenville South. "Sixteen of our 19 losses last season were by 2 points, extra points, matches going three sets," Weimer said. "So we are looking to get that edge and finish matches. We return a lot of guys and have a ton of experience. It will be fun to watch the guys compete and even cooler to see the new guys blend in and play as well." Weimer, who served as an assistant last fall for the St. Charles North girls volleyball team that finished fourth in Class 4A, will be assisted for the first time by North girls head coach Lindsey Hawkins.

South Elgin

Coach: Adam Plach, 10th year (136-159)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2017 record: 10-23, 2-7 UEC

Top Returning players: Seniors Edward Leon (DS), Sergio Mares (S), Vincent Miszkiewicz (M/OH), King Thomas (OH)

Top Newcomers: junior Jack Dullum; sophomores Christian Ayar (S), Raul Correa (OH/RS), Adam Deguzman (M), Mandeep Sangha (M/OH), Daniel Skrzypchak (DS)

Outlook: The Storm will miss graduated outside hitter Tyler Turner, now playing at Aurora University, as they attempt to meld new players into the varsity lineup. Only two players with experience return. One of them is Miszkiewicz, an all-area basketball player who possesses a vertical jump that lets him to dunk with ease. He will be hard to beat in the middle. Five sophomores will get their chance to play regularly. "This is a year with a lot of new faces," Plach said. "We have some sophomores who will be competing for playing time, so I look forward to what they have to bring to the table. We will need to build our team chemistry, and some of our new guys are going to need to grow up quickly and learn what varsity volleyball is like." Plach said the annual goals remain unchanged: be the best team in Elgin Area School District U-46, finish in the top half of the conference and in the top half of all tournaments.

Streamwood

Coach: Sheryl Hettinger, first year

Conference: Upstate Eight

2017 record: 6-18

Top Returning players: Seniors Scott Dudek (RS), Sam Enno (S), Jack Maybrun (M),

Top Newcomers: Seniors Juan Adan (M); juniors Joey Huzar (OH), Abraham Martinez (L),

Outlook: Hettinger takes over as varsity coach after eight seasons running the JV team. She inherits an experienced squad featuring nine seniors. Enno returns to set the offense while Dudek and Huizar possess big swings. Maybrun (6-foot-2) patrols the middle, joined this season by Adan (6-4). Otherwise, this is not a long team. Just two other players stand taller than 5-10. The Sabres hope the mix of nine seniors and promising new talent translates to a respectable season in the Upstate Eight. "As always, the conference looks competitive so it's crucial for our guys to compete in every aspect of the game," Hettinger said. "We need our defense to be aggressive because it will be essential to compete with these teams this season. We have a couple of big hitters that will help us. We also will be focusing on communication and a selfless chemistry in order to succeed."

St. Edward

Coach: Karla Aguirre, first year

Conference: Metro Suburban

2017 record: 5-11

Outlook: First-year coach Karla Aguirre has a mix of returning players and underclassmen she thinks can mesh into a competitive team. The lineup will be shuffled early on in search of the best combinations. These players have ability, she said, and communication skills and technical skills are coming along. "They really are a great group to work with," Aguirre said. "I always expect them to leave everything they have on the court, win or lose. It's all about the drive and effort you give. That's when you know a team and the players are 100 percent committed to the goal that they have set for themselves as a whole. I set high standards for them since the first day of practice and they know they are not only playing for themselves and their team but something bigger."

West Aurora

Coach: Tolis Koskinaris

Conference: Upstate Eight

2017 record: 29-7, 8-1 UEC

Top Returning players: Seniors Mathew Fidler (S), Tyler Long (OH), Ed Martinez (L), Michael Walker (MH)

Top Newcomers: Juniors Jeramie Gutierrez (OH), Connor Vrchota (MH); sophomore Danny Risner (S)

Outlook: The Blackhawks retool after graduating four-year starter Thomas Kovanic, now at Loyola. A year ago, he led West Aurora to a regional title and a second-place finish in conference play behind Glenbard East. Can a senior class accustomed to winning transform into a defensive-minded, scrappy team that plays with emotion? "Wouldn't bury us in 2018 quite yet," Koskinaris said. The Blackhawks will rely on veterans Long, Martinez, Walker and Fidler. Meanwhile, an infusion of young talent arrives in Vrchota (6-foot-5), Gutierrez (6-2) and Risner, a sophomore setter. More talent is in the pipeline, which should keep the program competitive in the near future. According to Koskinaris, the program has "young talented kids at lower levels, some on varsity ready to make the next step, sooner maybe rather than later."

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