Boys volleyball: Lake County preview

East Suburban Catholic

Carmel

Coach: Kevin Nylen (first year)

Players lost: seniors Patrick Bender, Will Cavian, Mike Greffly, Ryan Kroening, Garrett Long, Dan Sachs, Chris Toth, Mike Vadnais, Garrett White.

Returning players: seniors Mike Dietrich (S), Zach Engels (OH), Joe Ferrari (OH), Josh Garwood (MB), Mike Geske (S), Jake Krupski (MB), Evan Linsner (DS/L), Tim Sachs (OH), Joe Sponseller (RS).

Newcomers: juniors Brandt Bernat (DS), David Bowles (OH), Erik Liederbach (MB).

Outlook: Carmel returns a plethora of talented players from last year's team that played its best volleyball at the end of the season. The Corsairs treated their first-year coach to an easy victory Monday over Lakes in the season opener. In its second match, Carmel proceeded to extend a talented Lake Forest team to three games before falling 23-25, 26-24, 22-25. Sponseller and Garwood have established themselves as two of the Corsairs' main hitters. Dietrich is ready to shine in his first season as the team's primary setter. The Corsairs have enough depth and balance in all phases to put together a strong season. Nylen likes the way the seniors have pushed the team to a fast start. "The seniors have really taken control and shown some good energy," he said.

North Suburban

Antioch

Coach: Jamie Atkinson (second year)

Record: 3-22

Players lost: Royce Applegren, Mark Czarny, David Eck, Ross Gabriel, Jeff Lorenzen, Jason Sippy.

Returning players: seniors Sam Potkonjak (OH), Virgil Stone (DS), John Vanlerbergh (OH), Shane Zobel (DS).

Newcomers: juniors Jeff Sprague (S), Kyle Sytsma (S), Ryan Heaziland (OH), Matt Aparo (OH), Randy Fagan (OH), Eric Smith (MB); sophomores Andrew Sippy (MB), Frank Bickenson (OH).

Outlook: Antioch was overmatched in most of it games last year. That won't be the case this season. "Our conference is really competitive, but without a doubt we'll be more competitive than we were," Atkinson said. Antioch has a nice mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores to build around. "We're young, but we have group of talented players who push themselves every day," Atkinson said. Potkonjak's contribution will be key for the third consecutive season. "He's pretty much our go-to player," Aktinson said. "He was nominated as a captain so I expect a lot more leadership." At least in the early going, Sprague and Sytsma will split the setting. Improving the defense is the biggest priority. "That's our No. 1 thing," Atkinson said. "There's a lot of work to do, but we're seeing progress and that will continue with such a young team. It's exciting to see the (improvement) we've made already."

Lakes

Coach: Kara Harper (second year)

Last year: 9-21

Returning players: seniors Aaron Dreyer, Blake Ford, Kevin Rice, Alex Shaw; junior Chris Heerema; sophomore Jon Sieracke.

Newcomers: juniors Jake Bowen, Aaron Oliver, Marek Sak, Quinton Shapcott, George Wilson; sophomores Jeremy Joyce, Matt Lewis, Mark Molloy.

Outlook: Lakes has more size and athleticism than last year. What the Eagles lack is experience. "We have a lot of potential; we just need to play more," Harper said. "I think we should exceed last year's win total by a few." Rice, who is coming off a solid basketball season, will contribute as an undersized hitter and setter. Heerema will be a key attacker for the Eagles. In addition to the four sophomores on varsity, numbers are up on Lakes' lower-level teams. "We have some good (players) to build around," Harper said. "That gives us a lot of excitement for the future."

Libertyville

Coach: Steve Rochon (16th year)

Last year: 20-15

Players lost: Ryan Everding, Chris Jacobson, Sean Gahart, Matt Gavigan, Elliott San.

Returning players: seniors Andrew Cramer (L), Jack Matthews (OH), Chris Risley (MB), Pedro Sanchez (L), Zach Sesterhenn (L); juniors Matt Bernard (S), Tom Hannum (OH).

Newcomers: seniors Kyle Buss (S), Greg Vente (RS); juniors Matt Anderson (MB), J.J. Hill (RS), Wes Moser (OH/RS), Nick Olson (S), Charlie Strickland (RS).

Outlook: Early on, Libertyville coach Steve Rochon is encouraged by the team's group dynamic. "We don't have as much inherent volleyball talent as last year, but this is a more cohesive team with a better work ethic. I think we can surprise a lot of people." As a junior, Sesterhenn (436 digs) established himself as one of the top defensive players in the county. "The key for us is our passing," Rochon said. "We'll play as well as we pass and play defense. That will be the deciding (factor)." Balance should be a hallmark of Libertyville's offensive attack. "I think we've got two or three very nice outside hitters and proficient middle hitters, and I love what I'm seeing on the right side," Rochon said. Vente will bring his 6-foot-5 frame to the volleyball court for the first time. "He's the most talented untrained kid I've worked with," Rochon said. Olson will handle the setting responsibilities. "I'm happy with how he can (set) the ball in the attack window," Rochon said. "He sets up certain attacks that at times (the block) won't expect."

Mundelein

Coach: George Dressen Jr. (seventh year)

Last year: 36-2, reached IHSA state quarterfinal

Players lost: Kevin Beltran, Coda Casanova, Spenser Clark, Dan Doerr, Jason Greenwood, Chris Johnson, Mike McElligott, Brian Rausch, Jake Sucherman, Ryan Sullivan, Justin Wallen.

Returning players: seniors Tim Tokarz (S), Nick Faghihi (MB).

Newcomers: seniors Ryan DeGuzman (OH), Joe Sena (DS); juniors Tyler Emde (DS/L), Josh McElligott (OH), Patrick Molsen (RS/S), Adam Sawvell (MB); sophomores Mitchell Baumgartner (RS), Jack Boich (MB), Brian Chin (DS), Connor Johnson (L), Patrick Lentz (OH/MB).

Outlook: Granted, everyone but Faghihi and Tokarz is gone from the best Mundelein team in school history. As a result, the early part of the season will feature a lot of learning. At the same time, the Mustangs are excited about building around a talented class of sophomores and juniors. "This is kind of the way my team last year (looked) three years ago," Dressen said. "They started on the varsity as (sophomores) and progressed. I could see the same thing happening with this group." Of course, there is no question who will lead the Mustangs this season. The Mustangs have a pair of top returning seniors in Faghihi and Tokarz. Faghihi seemed to get better with each match last year and played a key role in Mundelein's run to state. "He's picked up right where he left off," Dressen said. "He'll (likely) be playing all the way around this year. He's doing phenomenally." Tokarz will try to make the transition to setter from outside hitter. "I spoke to him about it at the end of last season and he was excited about (the challenge)," Dressen said. "He's a focused player and he's become very efficient." While another 30-victory season is probably a stretch, the Mustangs believe they will win at least 20 matches. "None of these guys have played together, but once we gel we can make a run for a regional championship," Dressen said. "We should be right there toward the end of the season."

Stevenson

Coach: Tim Crow (sixth year)

Last year: 24-13

Players lost: Dustin Bernstein, Michael Cummings, Mike DeWitt, Steve Han, Steven Klein, T.J. Korta, Jake Lorber, Grant McNamara, Ryan Pritkin, Colin Rice, Scott Sherman.

Returning players: seniors Jason Giecek (S), Brandon Palmer (OH), Matt Ockrim (OH); junior Josh Hollander (MB/OH).

Newcomers: seniors Harrison Kay (L/S), Bryan Kessler (MB), Matt Litwin (RS), Tom Perozzi (RS), Drew Vravick (RS); juniors Kyle Buck (OH), Brad Feiger (OH), Jay Meisner (L/S); sophomores Josh Baader (OH), Travis Nastzger (MB).

Outlook: Practices are as competitive as they've been since Crow took over the boys volleyball program. "We have such a balanced team," he said. "I couldn't tell you the starting lineup right now; the guys are still battling it out." Although Stevenson returns only one starter, it's at a key position. Giecek will run the offense for the second consecutive season. "He knows the game really well, and he's one of the scrappiest players I've coached," Crow said. The Patriots are not as tall as last season, but they have a chance to keep more points alive. "I think this will be one of the better defensive teams I've had," Crow said. How quickly the newcomers adjust to varsity will go a long way toward determining what type of season this is. "The concern is getting the deer-in-the headlights look out of their eyes," Crow said. "I don't see these guys reaching a plateau. This is a pretty driven team that should improve (during) the season."

Vernon Hills

Coach: Chris Curry (eighth year)

Last year: 24-12

Players lost: Matt Biava, Kyle Bolke, Bob Groody, Chris Kubacki, Marc Tiojanco

Returning players: seniors Jeff Achler (L), Alex Brodsky (S), Herman Lynn (MB), David Siegel (OH), Ethan Steinhaus (OH), Danny Smith (OH); junior Keegan Harris (OH).

Newcomers: juniors Quintin Anderson (OH), Brendan Claussen (DS), Brian Earhart (OH), Sam Lee (S), Alex Tartakovsky (MB), Ernie Choi (OH); sophomore Robin Moy (MB).

Outlook: Early season practices have featured equal parts promise and uncertainty. "We have lots of guys who can legitimately play two different hitter positions," Curry said. "We have competition at every position. That's great, but the problem is figuring out how all the pieces fit together." So far, they've fit together well. The Cougars started the season with impressive victories over Loyola Academy and Fremd. Lynn has hit at a high efficiency the last two years. The challenge this year will be that he has become the team's No. 1 middle. "He's had two great seasons and is our most reliable and solid returning contributor," Curry said. "(Now), he's the guy we'll look at first." Achler played strong defense last year and will handle the libero role this season. Harris saw a lot of playing time as a sophomore on the left front. "We're trying to develop different parts of his game," Curry said. "He's really improved as a blocker and he's fighting to play all the way around. He doesn't want to come off the floor." Choi has a chance to become an impact player. Brodsky and Lee will log time at setter.

Warren

Coach: Yun Chen (fourth year)

Last year: 25-13

Players lost: John Barnhill, Justin Fisher, Kevin Nichols, Andrew Schroeder.

Returning players: seniors Gordon Booker (DS), Jeff Halvorsen (S), Mike McGowan (MB), Mike McNally (MB), Derek Norris (OH), Mark Pati (OH), Ryan Schuette (RS), Tyler Schwede (OH); juniors Jarrett Jespersen (OH), Nick Modas (MB), David Schweitzer (S).

Newcomers: juniors Kevin Blair (MB), Nicholas Leach (OH), Michael Metzler (MB), Aaron Sweeney (S).

Outlook: This group has a chance to be Chen's best team at Warren. The Blue Devils return six starters from last year's regional championship squad. "The players are excited to be back and are setting some high goals for themselves," Chen said. Halvorsen will do most of the setting, but he will also have some chances to hit. Schuette has established himself as a threat on the right side. "He jumps so well that he can get above a lot of the blockers when he hits," Chen said. The Blue Devils need a big contribution from Booker on defense. "He covers a lot of the court and does the job we ask him to do," Chen said. "He's passing better and is more consistent."