Scouting Lake County boys volleyball

Players to watch

Perry Aden, jr., MB, Carmel; Mitchell Baumgartner, jr., RS, Mundelein; Matt Bernard, sr., S, Libertyville; Brandt Bernat, sr., DS, Carmel; Kyle Buck, sr., OH, Stevenson; Ernie Choi, sr., RS, Vernon Hills; Brian Czosek, sr., S, Stevenson; Brad Feiger, sr., OH, Stevenson; Tom Hannum, sr., OH, Libertyville; Keegan Harris, sr., OH, Vernon Hills; J.J. Hill, sr., RS, Libertyville; Sam Lee, sr., S, Vernon Hills; Patrick Lenz, jr., MB, Mundelein; Matt Lewis, jr., OH, Lakes; Erik Liederbach, sr., OH, Carmel; Sean Lyman, sr., S; Carmel; Jay Meisner, sr., L, Stevenson; Michael Metzler, sr., MB, Warren; Josh McElligott, sr., OH, Mundelein; Mark Molloy, jr., S, Lakes; Nick Olson, sr., S, Libertyville; Andrew Roscoe, jr., S, Mundelein; Kyle Schwede, jr., S, Warren; David Schweitzer, sr., S, Warren; Quinton Shapcott, sr., MB, Lakes; John Sieracke, jr., OH, Lakes; Eric Smith, sr., MB, Antioch; Kyle Sytsma, sr., S, Antioch; Alex Tartakovsky, sr., MB, Vernon Hills; Joey Timmerman, soph., S, Mundelein; Jake Wolfe, jr., RS, Carmel.

Team scouting reports

After two years trying to rebuild the Antioch volleyball program, coach Jamie Atkinson should see some of that work start to pay off. "I'm really optimistic," she said. "We have a much taller and offensive focused team." If the Sequoits can develop consistency on defense, this could be a breakthrough season. "They've been working as a team, and I'm seeing that transfer to the younger levels," she said. Kyle Sytsma is a smart setter, and he will do his best to set up middle blocker Eric Smith. "Eric can (hit) angle shots the block is not anticipating," Atkinson said. "He can cut the ball in any direction." - Carmel was hit hard by graduation. That means the Corsairs will be talented but relatively inexperienced. "They're a talented, athletic group, but we're still looking for an identity," coach Kevin Nylen said. Liederbach will be counted on in all phases of the game. "He's our offensive centerpiece and will help us in the back row as well," Nylen said. "He has to take control." Brandt Bernat evolved into a consistent passer by the end of last season and will take charge of the back row. Freshman Frankie Cohen's position is not defined, but he will make an immediate contribution. "If you looked at him on the court, you wouldn't be able to tell he's a freshman," Nylen said. - First-year Lakes coach Wayne Schultz likes the way his team is getting after it in practice. "We're a little raw right now, but the guys are working their butts off," he said. "As we build our skill base we'll continue to improve." Schultz also is the boys volleyball coach for Westosha Central. In Wisconsin, the boys season is in the fall. "I'm happiest when I'm coaching and I see an opportunity here," he said. "Our long-term goal is to make Lakes into one of the best programs in the North Suburban Conference." - For Libertyville, rightside J.J. Hill continues to improve and impress. The 6-foot-6 senior has been playing volleyball only since his sophomore season. "He's turned into one of my favorite players," coach Steve Rochon said. "He's done a great job of picking up skills." Senior Tom Hannum will be a top outside hitter and all-around player. Matt Bernard and Nick Olson will run Libertyville's 6-2 offense. "They're playing to our strengths," Rochon said. Junior Dan Nield, who missed last year with a broken arm, will contribute as a middle blocker. - Mundelein struggled to an 11-24 mark last year. This season, the goal is at least to reverse that mark. "Our practices have picked up and the sophomores that played last year are all more mature," coach George Dressen Jr. said. "Our communication has picked up, and our ball-handling and blocking are steps above where we finished last year. Junior Mitchell Baumgartner can hit the ball hard and accurately, a combination that should help him place among the team's leaders in kills. Senior John McElligott is a threat in the front row and 6-foot-5 junior Patrick Lenz will be tough to hit over in the middle. - Stevenson should be tough this season. The Patriots have an exciting combination of experienced returnees and promising newcomers. "Talent wise from top to bottom, this is the best depth I've had," coach Tim Crow said. While Stevenson is usually a senior-dominated team, several sophomores and juniors will make contributions. With Brad Feiger and Kyle Buck, Stevenson has an excellent 1-2 combination at outside hitter. - Vernon Hills was money in conference play last year (8-1) and not nearly as good in non-league matches and tournaments (13-14). The Cougars return enough talent to be just as competitive in the league and significantly better away from it. "I'd say our strength is the variety of our attack," coach Chris Curry said. "We have live hitters from every spot." Ernie Choi and Keegan Harris will lead the Cougars' high-powered offense. Senior setter Sam Lee missed part of last season with an injury. When he was healthy, Vernon Hills was at its best. "He'll be a real key," Curry said. "He's focused on what he wants this team to accomplish." - At the start of last year, Warren had all its key pieces in place and steamrolled its way to a 34-5 record. This year, question marks abound. "There's going to be a lot of work in the beginning of the season," coach Yun Chen said. "We have to prove ourselves, and we feel we can surprise teams as the season gets closer to the playoffs." Senior Michael Metzler will be asked to control play in the middle. "He's one of the smartest players we have on the court," Chen said. Senior David Schweitzer and junior Kyle Schwede give Chen two good options at setter. For the second consecutive year, Warren will travel to San Diego for its spring-break trip.