Young South Elgin squad needs a spark

The South Elgin boys volleyball program enters its third varsity season with a young team and a new coach.

Adam Plach, previously the school's junior varsity coach, takes over the varsity program this season. He replaces Joni Melahn, who opted to concentrate on the girls volleyball program she has led since its inception, though she remains an assistant coach with the boys program.

Plach inherits just three seniors, but he said the talent joining the varsity in 2009 could help the Storm surpass last season's record of 9-20 overall and 2-7 in the Upstate Eight Conference.

"I think we have the talent to compete with the upper tier of the conference," Plach said. "It's just a matter of how quickly we get things together. We told the kids it's about putting in the effort in practice, holding your teammates accountable and holding yourself accountable. How well we do will depend on how quickly we can develop that attitude."

Plach wasn't happy with the effort of some players last weekend, when South Elgin finished winless in 3 matches at the Plainfield North Tournament against Riverside-Brookfield, Joliet and Hinsdale Central.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush - the biggest surprise to me was the lack of effort," Plach said. "We had guys on the court competing for positions that didn't show any kind of spark when they played. We had three or four players always putting in the effort, but three or four others were just walking from position to position. That has to change."

The starting lineup remains unsolidified for now, but players who have earned spots in the rotation include junior setter John Kuzelka, junior outside hitter Andrew Gleason and junior middle hitter Matt Bilinski. They join returning seniors Doug Sawyer (Sr., MH) and Akash Patel (Sr., OH/RS) as key contributors.

Others expected to compete for positions include 6-8 sophomore Sean Saxton, a middle hitter, sophomore outside hitter Ryan Pondel (6-0), junior setter Kyle Johnson, junior libero Zach Marsh and junior defensive specialist Matt Ryczewicz.

"We'd like to make noise in the postseason, but in order to do that we have to take care of business in the regular season," Plach said. "If we have to play a top-six seed right away in a regional, it's going to be tough."