Chris Falknor: Cook boys volleyball captain
The Buffalo Grove boys volleyball program is on a quite a roll.
The Bison finished second in the state in 2008 and have qualified for the state tournament again this year. And it's no coincidence that outside hitter Chris Falknor has been an integral part of the Bison success both this season and last.
The outside hitter's play was a key last year in BG's thrilling postseason run as Falknor, then a junior, teamed with a experienced senior-laden squad that fulfilled preseason hopes with their outstanding run.
Now in 2009, Falknor's exceptional play on the court as well as his team leadership role have led the senior to Daily Herald all-area captaincy honors.
"It's been different this year," said Falknor, who hammered 223 regular-season kills despite missing some early matches due to injury. "Last year, I played with a lot of seniors on a team that had very high expectations."
"This season, there was a question of how good we could be. We had such a young team with three juniors and a sophomore (in the lineup), but I think we've gone out on the court and proved ourselves."
That type of team-first thinking is not lost on BG coach Matt Aiello.
"Chris took it upon himself to make sure there was no drop or complacency in our program's goals and expectations to maintain our place among the state's best," said Aiello.
"He loves pressure situations - he wants the ball. He's not only a physically talented player, but what really allows him to excel is his willingness to be smart. He happily sacrifices for the good of the team."
Falknor hasn't had a shortage of mentors in his rise to the upper echelon of prep volleyball, especially in his own family.
His sister Gillian was an outside hitter and Mid-Suburban Leauge player of the year at BG in 2002, and brothers Tim (setter) and Pete (middle) both excelled as Bison players.
But it's not only skill on the floor that sets Falknor, this season's co-MSL East player of the year, apart from the rest. It's also his commitment to leadership and team play that puts him at the top of the list.
Early on in 2009, Falknor recognized something special in his teammates.
"In the first tournament this season, the Bison Battle, I was out with an ankle injury and the rest of the guys stepped up in a big way," Falknor said. "At that point I knew it would be a successful season."
In addition to superior hitting, Falknor excelled in 2009 in other aspects as well.
The senior, who will play volleyball for Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., this fall, recorded 171 regular-season digs, 23 aces, was 270-for-284 on serve receive, and had 25 blocks.
And now that the Bison are in the familiar position of state-tournament qualifiers, Falknor feels the skies the limit for himself and his now-experienced team.
"It doesn't matter who we play - the key is that we've got to stay level-headed, and from a physical standpoint, play the best defense we can possibly play.
"We have one of the best offensive teams in the state, but once you get deeper into the playoffs, you know you're going to be playing against bigger people up front. "
With Falknor at the helm, Aiello likes his chances too.
"I've had the privilege of getting to know Chris over the last four years," said Aiello, "and I've seen an unbelievable amont of growth. The thing that makes him thrive is competitve personality and his desire for excellence."
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>All-Area Teams</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Cook County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298406"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298405">Softball captain: Nikki Goranson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298398"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298397">Baseball captain: Jon Carlson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298403"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298402">Soccer captains: Laura Mayer, Mary Kubiuk</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298401"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298400">Volleyball captain: Chris Falknor</a></li> </ul> <h2>DuPage County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298392">Softball captain: Hannah Santora</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298582">Baseball captain: Jack DeAno</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298391"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298394">Soccer captain: Leah Fortune</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298390"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298393">Volleyball captain: Joe Kelly</a></li> </ul> <h2>Fox Valley</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298676"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298362">Softball captain: Kimberly Pierce</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298660"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298356">Baseball co-captain: Brian Brauer</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298355">Baseball co-captain: Craig Lipp</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298658"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298361">Soccer captain: Cori Wronski</a></li> </ul> <h2>Lake County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298410"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298408">Softball captain: Olivia Duehr</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298407"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298396">Baseball captain: Chas Evans</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298404"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298409">Soccer captain: Courtney Levy</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tri-Cities</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298385"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298379">Softball captain:Stephanie Becker</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298380">Baseball captain: Matt Milroy</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298378">Soccer captain: Emily Hinchman</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>