Sectional scouting, Northwest
Scouting boys volleyball postseason / Northwest
Begins: Monday at various sites around Illinois
State finals: June 1-2 at Hoffman Estates High School
Sectionals at a glance
BARRINGTON: The host Broncos, winners of their first Mid-Suburban League championship since 2005, have earned the No. 1 seed in their own sectional. They’ve got one of their best, most consistent teams in years as they try to advance to their first state finals in the last 7 campaigns. Austin Czarnecki (libero) and 6-foot-8 middle Tommy Leonard, both seniors, lead the Broncos as they look to advance out of possibly the toughest tourney in the state. To reach the promised land they’ll have to get past nemesis Buffalo Grove, which has made the state finals 4 of the last 6 seasons. The MSL East champion Bison have been awarded their lowest sectional seed (No. 4) in years, but coach Matt Aiello always has BG, which is led by all-purpose setter and hitter Matt Bloom, ready for the postseason in a big way. Always powerful Stevenson and Vernon Hills are seeded 2 and 3 respectively, and they’ll be the biggest threats to the Broncos. Local stalwarts Fremd (12th seed) and Palatine (13th, 2nd place in the MSL West) have been peaking late in the season and the Pirates especially, behind all-area players Eric Gabbard and Kevin O’Shea, and could be ready to spring a surprise on BG in an early-round regional matchup. It’s a difficult sectional to be sure but there’s a feeling that Barrington has the horses this year to get out.
ELGIN: What a tremendous season it’s been for Elk Grove. The surprising Grenadiers were co-champions of the Mid-Suburban East, losing out on playing in the championship match by virtue of a slim tiebreaker, and boast the East player of the year in senior Michal Kawa. The gutsy Grens, led by oustanding three-sport athlete Jeff Miceli at the setter position, earned the No. 1 seed at Elgin and hope to prove they’re for real. They’ll have to fight off the likes of Lake Park (2), Addison Trail (3), St. Charles North (4), and MSL rival Schaumburg, who have been consistent this season behind stellar players DJ Karbowski and Matt Jarosz. Youthful Rolling Meadows (6) didn’t earn the overall record they were hoping for but have the potential to surprise with Peter Nickle patrolling the floor at the libero position. Hoffman Estates (14) has played some outstanding matches, while Conant is seeded 21st but has a real standout in Kevin Suffredin.
GLENBROOK NORTH: Prospect has the highest seed of any local team (9), but that is surely a deceptive figure. The Knights started slowly in 2012 but have made an electric charge as of late, as evidence by their convincing wins over co-MSL East champs Buffalo Grove and Elk Grove. They’ve certainly got the spark to advance as all-conference players Kevin Atwood and Pat McIlwee look to continue their success. Prospect has a potential regional matchup against the top-seeded Spartans, and if they could upset the hosts there it could be a long run for Mike Riedy’s squad. Hersey is seedeed 10th behind four-year starter Matt Cayton (setter), Saint Viator is 12th, and watch out for Wheeling. The Wildcats are 13th but have come alive in the latter stages of the season and recently swept undefeated through the Leyden Invitational. Maine West is the 16th seed, while Glenbrook South is the number 2 seed and Maine South is seeded 3rd — that’s the same number the Hawks received when they won the state title in 2006. Another team that has hopes to advance to Hoffman is No. 4 seed New Trier.
OTHER SECTIONALS: What would a state tournament finals be without Wheaton Warrenville South, the number 1 seed at their own hosted sectional? Consider this: The Tigers have advanced to 9 of the last 11 state quarterfinals, winning 6 championships and finising second once. They’re definitely a threat again but will have to beat Glenbard East in a sectional final. Leyden is the No. 6 seed in the Whitney Young sectional and the intriguing Eagles might have their best chance in years to move on — but they’ll have to get by the 1st-seeded Dolphins or No. 2 Payton to do so. Lincoln-Way North is the top seed at the Lincoln-Way East sectional, but to advance they’ll have to beat the last two state champions — Sandburg (2011) and Marist (2010). Minooka hopes to make its second trip to Hoffman in the last three years by qualifying out of the Romeoville sectional, while Oak Park-River Forest is the favorite at De La Salle, with 7th-seeded Morton poised to possibly provide one of the season’s Cinderella stories.
— Bill Esbrook