For Buffalo Grove, same old, same old just fine

It looks like it's going to be same old, same old for the Buffalo Grove boys volleyball team this season.

Same old as in very, very good.

The Bison, who have earned hardware in three of the last four state championship tournaments but have never claimed the top prize, didn't lose a match Saturday en route to victory in their own Bison Battle.

BG beat Sandburg 26-24, 25-15 in the title match after defeating Barrington, Naperville North, North Chicago and Glenbrook North in round-robin play.

"This was a nice win," said BG coach Matt Aiello, "and we're going to enjoy this, but our focus this year isn't on tournaments - it's on the postseason."

A postseason where the Bison could face some of the same teams that traveled to Buffalo Grove on Saturday, such as three-time defending state champion Wheaton-Warrenville South.

The Tigers went 4-1 in the tourney, losing only to Sandburg in the semifinals, then beating Naperville North in the third-place game.

"We like coming up here," said WWS coach Bill Schreier, "but it's ironic that we come all this way just to wind up playing Naperville North.

"We ran into a speed bump today. Sandburg is always good at the beginning of the year, but I thought we responded well."

Outside hitter Shane Witmer hit 42 tourney kills for fourth-place Naperville North, which won three matches on the day.

"You could tell that this was the consolation match," said North coach Nate Bornancin of the loss to WWS.

"Neither team was bringing it."

Hersey was impressive in its opening action of the year, scoring wins over Mid-Suburban League rivals Prospect and Schaumburg.

The Knights earned a final-match, three-game victory over the Saxons as senior outside hitter Mike Hammersley hammered 38 kills and served 3 aces in the tourney.

But the day belonged the Buffalo Grove, as the Bison were led in the championship match by setter Lukas Karch, who had 20 assists, and lefty outside hitter Chris Shanahan, who slammed 10 kills.

"This is exciting," said Shanahan of the title win, "but at the end of the day, we've got to keep building on it. We're focused on the ultimate goal - winning the state championship."

"It's nice to face top competition (so early)," added Aiello. "We're going to have fun along the way as we always do, but we're also a very mature team this year."