Stevenson sectional field loaded
Fremd won the Mid-Suburban League West Division crown, finished the regular season 25-9 and earned a berth in the MSL championship match.
But the Vikings are only seeded fifth in the Stevenson boys volleyball sectional.
Postseason action around the area begins Monday
It's a testament to the talent of local teams that the Vikings, winners of seven straight MSL matches before falling to Buffalo Grove on Wednesday for the league title, are No. 5 behind top-seeded BG), Warren (No. 2 with 4 losses all season), Lake Forest (No. 3 and peaking at the right time) and No. 4 Deerfield.
"Our sectional is really balanced," said BG coach Matt Aiello, whose team went undefeated in the MSL and has lost just once since the first week of the season.
"There are a number of teams playing some really good volleyball right now. From top to bottom, it's possibly the toughest sectional in the state, and at the very least the deepest."
The Bison will be challenged right out of the gate at the Palatine regional, where they will most likely have to face the host Pirates (12th seed) or No. 8 Stevenson in the regional final.
Hersey, which has been tested against top competition this season, is seeded 12th, while Barrington (13), Wheeling (14) and St. Viator (18) all have hopes of advancing.
"I think the depth of our sectional is tremendous," said Barrington coach Rob Ridenour. "Even the regional finals will be good matches."
The Broncos have a chance of meeting Fremd at Highland Park.
Also watch out for No. 6 seed Vernon Hills and seventh-seeded Carmel at Lincolnshire.
Wheaton sectional
Area teams face a tough task in their attempts to advance to the state finals at Hoffman Estates.
Defending state champion Wheaton Warrenville South is seeded first, and host St Francis, the No. 2 seed, is on a torrid streak.
St Francis beat Providence this week, handing the Friars there first loss of the year.
But don't count out the MSL teams, according to Elk Grove coach Dan Windholz.
"I think some people have been underestimating the strength of our conference," said Windholz, whose Grenadiers finished second in the MSL East. "From top to bottom, we've got some very strong teams."
The third-seeded Grens could be headed to what seems to be their annual playoff match against Schaumburg and MSL West player of the year Mitch Wiskirchen if both teams advance to the Elk Grove regional final.
The Saxons are seeded 11th at Wheaton; Hoffman Estates is No. 16; Rolling Meadows eighth and Prospect ninth.
The Conant Cougars, runners-up in the Mid-Suburban West, are looking to make some noise as the fourth seed.
"Being seeded fourth in the sectional is something that the boys have worked very hard to earn," said Cougars coach Peggy Scholten. "Now on to what really counts --winning. We've got our work cut out for us, potentially meeting Lake Park in the (regional) finals. We lost to them early in the year at the Conant invite, but we learned immediately from that loss and came back to win the tournament."
Other sectionals
At New Trier, Maine West is the 10th seed and faces a second- round match against Evanston if the Warriors can get by No. 5 Niles West.
Eighth-seeded Leyden is in the field at Willowbrook. If the Eagles can beat Downers Grove North in their opener, they have the unenviable task of a probable match against the area's top-rated team, Glenbard East.