Scouting the 2022 boys volleyball season in the Northwest suburbs

From a Bronco to a Buckeye.

Barrington senior outside Jack O'Riordan will be headed to Ohio State University in the fall to help lead the attack for the highly successful OSU volleyball program.

For now, though, there is unfinished business in the Mid-Suburban West, and hopefully beyond.

The 6-foot-8 O'Riordan, one of the best players in the country and a top student as well (he'll major in finance at OSU) hopes to lead the Broncos all the way to the state tournament.

"The focus this year is, 'don't take anything for granted,' " said O'Riordan, referring to all the time local competitors have missed in the last couple of years due to COVID restrictions.

"The main goal is to win the day, it's not necessarily all about what's going to happen down the road. We'd like to make a deep playoff run, of course, and in my mind our team has all the talent and all the tools to do so. We'll just take it day by day."

O'Riordan's stellar prep career has already seen him invited to participate in USA volleyball's national team development program, and this spring he'll be coached by a familiar face.

Charlie Spry, who was a Broncos assistant last year and has instructed O'Riordan in club play, takes over as Barrington head coach in 2022.

Spry was previously an all-area player for Barrington, as well as starring for Dominican University.

"When I got into the gym for the first practice," said Spry, "I realized that this (becoming the Broncos head coach) is exactly what I should be doing."

Spry added that he's excited for the year to come.

"We will need to put all the pieces in place, but I feel really confident in this group," said Spry of his team. "Our offensive ability will be a big strength, and we have a very strong starting lineup. With Jack and (6-10 sophomore) Cole Hartke leading us on the outside, we'll provide ourselves of a ton of opportunities to score in difficult situations."

Elsewhere in the MSL West, Conant will be led by returnees Jack Eckert, Michael Recko, Nic Breiter, Dhruv Patel and Jacob Pietraszek. "We're excited for the upcoming season," said coach Drewann Pancratz. "We are a senior driven team who is eager to get better every day and compete."

Fremd coach Curt Pinley says that his team consists of a "great group of hardworking players who want to be successful. Whenever a program has those things in place, the future of the season is bright." Seniors on the Vikings squad will include Misho Metodiev, Luke Polcyn, Jackson Wolan, Justin Chiang, Marco Boscolo, Chris Kim, David Nora and Aaron Sallade.

Hoffman Estates will be paced on the court by senior outside hitters Eric Gonzalez and Colin Grochal, senior libero Samuel Ham, and sophomore setter Denny Filipov. The Hawks also have a new coach in Delaina Heracklis. "We're looking forward to this season of rebuilding," said Heracklis, "and we are excited to continue the legacy of passion and grit that is HEHS athletics."

Palatine's roster includes returnees Bobby Widlowski, a three-sport athlete, Jackson Wheat, Tommy Borowiec, Ethan Leigh, Justin Szwaya, and Noah Casillas. "Our players have tremendous energy," said coach Pete Gavin. "We have a difficult schedule that should prepare us for postseason success, and Bobby Widlowski has become an incredible leader for our program. His dedication to his teammates is second to none."

Schaumburg has a good group with strong leadership that per coach Tim Murphy, "should compete in the top portion of the MSL." Top players for the Saxons this spring will include 6-6 senior middle hitter Adrian Maciejewski, junior outside hitter Chris Radomski and sophomore setter Carter Luecht. "We have a good mix of returning starters and a young group of players that all have the ability to step up," added Murphy. "We need to feature our strengths while limiting our errors."

In the MSL East, Buffalo Grove has most of its varsity starting lineup from last season coming back, including middles Piotr Wymoczl and Colin Shin, outsides Connor Dell and Dan Feder, and setters Kevin Sinkiewicz and Colsen Castle. "Each of these players have been playing at a high level in the offseason," said coach Tim Kosiek. "We are eagerly taking advantage of each moment in the gym to improve our skills as we prepare for our first contests."

Elk Grove is looking to rebound from what coach Dan Windholz called "an unusual, rough season" last year. "Things are looking up with our three returning starters," said the Grens' longtime leader. Senior Brian Wrobel, an outside hitter, is back, along with Michael Kwasney (senior opposite) and Jason Lewis (sophomore middle blocker). "With those players and the newcomers," said Windholz, "we will definitely be more competitive this season."

Hersey coach Laura Gerber says that her team is thrilled to be back in the gym. "Our goals are to win the East, and the MSL," said Gerber. "We have a strong group returning and are excited to see how far we go this season." Huskies senior outside hitter Nate Meyers will be a big part of the offense, and junior middle hitter Michael Seamans should be a strong blocker and offensive threat.

Prospect graduated 9 seniors from last year's squad. Knights coach Mike Riedy initially thought this would be a rebuilding year, but now is looking forward to possible better than expected results. Top returners are outside hitter Ryan Uemura, right side Jonathan Stavnes, and middle Will Klimek. "Ryan will be our go-to," said Riedy, "Jonathan brings varsity experience to the team, and Will was just a young pup last year - this year more will be expected of him."

Rolling Meadows brings back four outstanding seniors, Carter Powers, Ryan Schoessling, Filip Kierzkowski, and Ariel Martinez. "We return a ton of experience when it comes to defense and setting," said Mustangs coach Kevin Bourn, "but we're going to have to get creative when it comes to attacking."

For Wheeling, coach Jason Kopkowski mentioned that they Wildcats are excited to have a full season and a full program including a freshman team this year. "Offensively," said Kopkowski, "we look to be dynamic and powerful led by Mark Zmodjin, Joe Mitroi, and Dan Sandler." The Wildcats also boasts a pair of difference-making setters in Alan Saji and Eric Ishakov. Other returning contributors will include Keigo Quigley and Jared Freeman.

George Wong will be the first-year coach for Maine East in the Central Suburban North, taking over the reins from longtime skipper Jon Kulesza. "We're going to rely on our senior libero, Glenn Reyes, to lead our team this season," said Wong. "Our goal is to finish in the top half of our conference."

Maine West has high expectations for a terrific year behind returnees Kacper Pogorzelski, Osiel Cruz, Marcin Siergiej, Larelle Potts, Mohammed Belhmidya, Marek Czerlonko, Mohammed Kamil, Daniel Sankiewicz and Marc Rizkalla. "After making a nice run in the playoffs and playing some great volleyball toward the end of last season," said Warriors coach Mike O'Brill, "we're hoping to keep the momentum rolling."

Maine South will be a tall order for opponents to defend in the CSL South. The Hawks have 6 players that are at least 6-foot-5. Christopher Karnezis is one of the top liberos in the state, and Jameson Schmeltz returns as the No. 1 setter. "We also have junior twins Adrian and Lorian Danciu in the middle," said coach Garrett Fechner, "senior middle Jason Lee, and my assistant this year is from the very first team I coached on 18 years ago - Dan Fabry, a HS Mizuno All-American who played four years at Long Beach State and professionally overseas."

St. Viator won 17 games overall last season and finished second in the East Suburban Catholic. However, the Lions have graduated 11 seniors from that squad. "There are big shoes to fill from last year," said coach Brennan Harrington, "but we have a very determined group of guys looking to exceed everyone's expectations." Key returners will be senior libero Ronan Valera and senior middle blocker Jack Denten.