Numbers low but Sabres optimistic

Maintaining a robust boys volleyball roster isn't easy, not even at a Class 4A school like Streamwood.

The Streamwood program has a respectable roster of 13 at the varsity level this season and a roster of 10 at the junior varsity level. However, only 9 players are listed on the freshman roster at the start of the season and several JV players will be called on to fill roles in varsity matches.

"In some areas volleyball is expanding moreso than others," second-year coach Dave Buehring said. "It seems the Elgin area and Streamwood have trouble getting kids to come out, and I think that's heavily influenced by the fact a lot of the population is more geared toward soccer as well as baseball. There's still definitely been an increase in the knowledge of boys volleyball around here, but it's not as abundant as in the DuPage Valley Conference or something like that where it's just blowing up."

The Sabres hope to blow past last year's record of 4-12 overall and 2-7 in the Upstate Eight Conference, led by three returning players. Senior outside hitter Brandon Nelson is a club volleyball player who will be counted on to score points. He'll bookend junior outside hitter Fabian Ramos and second-year starter Marcus Greene (6-foot-2), a junior middle hitter.

The aforementioned front-liners will only get as many hitting opportunities as the back row and sophomore setter Phil Montero can produce. With only four seniors on the roster and an overall lack of experience, the Sabres' goals are modest as the program attempts to develop into a consistent winner.

"The team will be looking to play competitively with the other Elgin-area schools in conference," Buehring said. "We'll be working hard on passing skills to ensure offensive success. Our motto is one play at a time, one game at time."