Bring on the Best

The Tiger Classic traditionally has so many great teams entered every year that its come to be known as a mini-state tournament.

The field for the classic, which will be held at Wheaton Warrennville South March 27-29 is so strong this year that maybe the state tournament should be called the mini-Tiger Classic.

Started as The Best of Illinois in 2003, the tournament quickly grew beyond the state borders, bringing in champions from Missouri and Florida.

This year's field will include half of last year's IHSA Elite Eight, including host and state champion Wheaton Warrenville South, runner-up New Trier, Brother Rice and Lincoln-Way East. In addition De Smet Jesuit is coming from Missouri and Archbishop Moeller from Ohio.

Top local teams who will be competing are Naperville North, Naperville Central, Waubonise Valley, Lake Park, Wheaton North and York, and there will also be perennial state contenders Glenbrook South and Sandburg.

"When pool play is that tough, to get into the gold or championship bracket is a pretty good accomplishment," said Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier.

The host Tigers have won the classic only once, in 2004. In that time they've been the Illinois state champions three times, including last year.

Prepping for the season

Schreier sees the Tiger Classic as a great early-season test that gives coaches the opportunity to evaluate their talent against the best competition and determine what they have to work on.

"Top to bottom, our tournament is probably the most competitive," Schreier said. "And bringing in teams from out of state makes ours unique."

In his early years of coaching Wheaton Warrenville South volleyball, Schreier noticed that there wasn't a boys tournament comparable to the girls' Mizuno Cup and Nike Tournament.

Because boys volleyball was making the transition from recreation to a legitimate high school sport, he thought a tournament of that caliber was needed.

"We kind of piggy-backed on the success of the girls tournaments," Schreier said. "And we're happy with the way this as developed, especially with the teams coming in from other states."

Wheaton Warrernville South all-area outside hitter Eric Hardek is looking forward to his team being tested in the Tiger Classic.

"I can't wait to play against a bunch of great teams on our home court," Hardek said. "I want to see how strong other teams are and how we compare."

Last year on the way to their fourth state title in seven years, the Tigers finished fourth in their own classic. However, it was an inexperienced team and its performance there told Schreier what would have to be worked on to prepare for those seven playoff games that would lead to the state title.

When the Tigers started the season by winning against Buffalo Grove, the players started to believe that last season had possibilities, and that it wouldn't just be a year of building for the future.

Then the stiff competition they faced in the tournament showed the players just how much of a commitment they'd have to make if they wanted to even think about going all the way.

"We learned that we had to be a little more diverse with our offense," Schreier said. "The guys also saw how important it is to keep your composure and consistency, even when things aren't going well."

Then the Tigers had the whole season of practice, matches and weekend tournaments to develop into the squad that was capable of taking it all at the end of the season.

"It was nice to see what can happen when a team can get it together and get on a role," Schreier said. "I was pleased with that and the work they put in, in the gym to get there. They worked hard."

Building a team

With seven players returning from the championship team, including four 6-feet-7 or better, the Tigers look loaded again this year. And there are only two seniors on the squad and a group of tall, talented newcomers, so watch out for the next couple of years.

Hardek, a 6-4 senior captain, is a true star and team-leader who will be looking to be a member of his third Wheaton Warrenville South state championship team.

He smashed 329 kills and had 72 blocks, 112 digs and 32 aces last year, was a member of the Daily Herald All-Area team and a unanimous choice for the all-DuPage Valley Conference team.

"Eric is a bridge to the past and to the future," Schreier said. "He knows how hard you have to work when you're the defending state champion. He'll use that knowledge to help form the identity of this group."

Hardek is keenly aware of the tradition this team carries and what it takes to succeed over a long season.

"We just try to keep low profiles, do our job and win," he said. "That's the way the other championship teams have done it. But like them we still play with emotion, energy, fire and passion. We just love to play volleyball."