BG meets Fremd: Something's got to give

Two teams on hot streaks will collide today for the Mid-Suburban League boys volleyball championship.

Both Buffalo Grove and host Fremd will look to put an exclamation point on successful seasons in their match at 7 p.m.

There are plenty of similarities between the MSL East Division champion Bison and the Vikings, winners in the West.

Last season, Buffalo Grove and Fremd had the talent to reach the title game -- but both fell just short.

The Bison were overtaken by eventual MSL champion Prospect on the final day of the regular season.

The Vikings posted a 9-1 division mark, but Barrington earned the berth in the title match on tiebreaker criteria.

This season, Fremd (25-8, 8-2) struggled early with a 3-4 mark and began the MSL season 1-2, but the Vikings won 22 of their final 26 matches -- including seven straight in the division.

The Vikings are fresh off winning their own invitational for the third straight season.

BG (24-5, 10-0) has lost only once since the first week of the season. The Bison took most of the suspense out of the East race by running the table and clinching early, and they were champions this year at the Lake Forest Invite.

Players to watch

Buffalo Grove: Tom Angerame, senior setter (1417-for 1426 setting with 734 assists); Matt Bronson, senior libero (467 digs, 12 aces); Joe Ascher, senior right side (475-for-529 on attack, 314 kills, 177 digs); Jim Wizniak, senior middle (248-for-299, 169 kills, 85 blocks)

Fremd: Ben Whitmer, senior setter (1360-for-1373, 495 assists); Daniel Brophy, senior outside hitter (204 kills); Kevin Prest, senior outside hitter (169 kills); Daniel Teschner, senior middle/outside hitter (155 kills).

What they're saying

BG coach Matt Aiello on the Bison: "The guys came into this season with a goal of finishing undefeated in conference, and do not feel like they will have accomplished anything in that regard unless we win tonight. They look at the MSL title as another step on their journey to achieve their season goals."

Aiello on the opposition: "Fremd is always a tough opponent. They play hard and with great enthusiasm. Playing Coach Pinley's teams are always a challenge -- they're well-coached and play well in big matches."

Fremd coach Curt Pinley on the Vikings: "We won our invite this past weekend, and I felt this was the most competitive tournament we've hosted in a long time. It helps us, in the long run, to play such tough teams. I know how hard we've worked and will enjoy the opportunity to continue to work to become a better team."

Pinley on the opposition: "I respect Buffalo Grove and their program. Matt has created a winning attitude there and they should be proud of their accomplishments."

Outlook: Expect a three-game match that goes right down to the wire. The experienced teams are evenly paired, with outstanding offense, setting and defense on both sides. Fremd's three-pronged hitting attack of Brophy, Prest and Teschner will put plenty of pressure on Buffalo Grove. But the BG defense, led by Bronson (who has been aced only five times all season) should be up to the challenge. Bison hitter Ascher is having an terrific season and is ably assisted by Wizniak, junior outside hitter Chris Falknor and senior hitter Greg Wajda. But Fremd defensive specialists Christopher Chandler and Kyle Lehner are underrated players who usually rise to the occasion. Look for setters Angerame and Whitmer to be difference makers.