Experienced Buffalo Grove takes another shot at state title

The Buffalo Grove boys volleyball team may not waste any time testing its early season mettle this year.

The Bison play in the Wheaton Warrenville South tourney this weekend, and if both BG and the hosts reach the championship round, it'll be a rematch of last season's state championship game.

BG, led by seniors Joe Ascher, Tom Angerame and Matt Bronson, buzzsawed through the competition in 2008, winning the Mid-Suburban League with a perfect record and advancing in the state tourney to the title match against the Tigers.

It appeared BG had the momentum and the upper hand as the young WWS squad was thought to be a year away, but the Tigers played their finest match of the season to defeat the Bison in 2 games.

Now, BG is back this year with the hopes of making another championship run.

"We have seven players returning this year," said BG coach Matt Aiello. "Our offense might be considerably stronger than last year and the most dangerous in three or four years."

Senior Dan Wichmann, who Aiello considered the second-best setter in the state in 2008 behind Angerame, will take on the setting duties and will be one of the Bison tri-captains.

Outside hitter Chris Falknor, who contributed mightily to the Bison's state runner-up success, and senior libero Joe Duda, who started every match last year in the back row, will also take on captaincy duties.

Seniors Jason Dubs, Mike Woodnorth and Brian Urban will be called on to contribute, as will juniors Nick Baronti, Mike Jambrone, Nick Mau and Alex Kob.

Also in the mix will be lefty Chris Shannahan, who Aiello says "is arguably the best sophomore in the state."

John Ward, Jaimie Schnittker and Lukas Karch round out the roster.

"We have a bit of youth with a very experienced group," says Aiello. "I believe our talent and offensive diversity will allow us to gain immediate experience and be a legitimate threat to again win our conference and compete to go downstate again."

And what are Aiello's thoughts on possibly facing preseason, top-ranked WW South on the Tigers home court, if both teams get that far?

Revenge, especially this early in the year, is the last thing on his mind.

"Honestly," said Aiello, "the importance of playing them again would simply tell me that we're playing in the later round of the tournament. With the established history of our programs, I think it would just be another opportunity for both teams to play against top competition."

And maybe gain some momentum for the rest of the season. Only time will tell.