Buffalo Grove's senior trio makes sure Bison finish in style

Bringing home hardware from the boys volleyball state tournament is getting to be an enjoyable habit for Buffalo Grove.

Fourth in 2006 and runners-up last year, the Bison claimed the third-place trophy Saturday with a 25-22, 25-21 win over St. Patrick at Hoffman Estates.

While the future looks bright for BG with a number of underclassmen returning next season, the key to success this year - according to coach Matt Aiello - was the outstanding play and leadership of three seniors.

Outside hitter Chris Falknor, setter Dan Wichmann and libero Joe Duda all will graduate knowing that they gave it their all on the court, as evidenced by their two state tournament medals.

Falknor was a integral part of both the 2008 and '09 teams as a starter. He said to go out with a win in the third-place game meant the world to him.

"Three years ago my brother (Tim) was here in the same situation, playing for third place, and I saw how rough it was for him when they lost," Falknor said. "I didn't want to have that feeling."

Falknor went out in style, finishing the tourney with 17 kills and 3 aces, while Wichmann dished out 63 tourney assists.

Wichmann and Duda took a different path to success this year. While Falknor learned on the job last season, getting a lot of playing time, Wichmann and Duda were understudies to all-conference players Tom Angerame and Matt Bronson.

Both stepped up in 2009 to bring a sense of stability to the BG program.

Duda, who excelled as a defensive specialist in leading the Bison to the state finals, said his most memorable moment of the year (besides a highlight reel kill in Game 2 of the third-place match) came after BG fell just short to Maine South in the semifinals

"It was a tough loss, but nobody got down on themselves," Duda said. "After we got back to the hotel (in between the semis and third-placee match), everybody was just hanging out, spending time together and coming together as a team."

"We were one of only two teams in the state to walk away after their last match with a win, and I'm proud of that."

Early in the season, Aiello wanted to know he could count of a setter that could distribute the ball to his hitters, and Wichmann stepped up.

"He's a modest guy, and sometimes I get on him about that," Aiello said. "But you have to give him all the credit in the world. Dan did a great job of keeping all of our hitters involved this year. He's something special."

As BG brings home another state trophy - and since the Bison have already finished second, third and fourth - is the coveted state championship next on the list?

With starters Nick Baronti, Mike Jambrone and Chris Shanahan coming back, and a number sophomores and juniors ready to step in, it's not outside the realm of possibility.

But first BG wants to celebrate this year's success.

"I felt that the worst thing we could have done this year was look forward," Aiello said. "If you look at who's returning, and you look at our roster, you can see that we'll be one of the top 1 or 2 teams in the state next year."

"But that wouldn't have been fair to these 3 guys. They're great players and each of them added something special to our program. We won't be able to replace them."