Wolter calls the shots for Prospect

The Prospect boys volleyball team had a successful 2009 season, one in which the Knights made a run deep into the state playoffs.

A season which in large part was due to a fearless leader at the setter position - and luckily for the Knights, they'll have Kevin Wolter back in the director's chair for 2010.

Wolter, who coach Mike Riedy calls "my quarterback on the floor," earned all-area honors last year as a junior in leading Prospect to a regional championship.

The upstart Knights knocked off host Evanston to win a regional title last season before giving Maine South, the eventual state tournament runner-up, all they could handle in a heartbreaking three-game sectional tournament loss.

And Wolter, a big part of that successful 2009 campaign, is back for hopefully bigger and better accomplishments this year.

"I expect Kevin to keep doing the same things he's always done," said Riedy. "He knows how to run the offense, makes the calls on the court, decides where to place the ball and lets the hitters do their job.

"He really took on a leadership role last year. He started as a sophomore in a 6-2, but took the reins as the only setter in a 5-1 last year. We had a strong group of personalities on our team last year, and he took it upon himself to become the team leader."

Wolter's stats were impressive in 2009. He recorded 794 assists, served up 20 aces and had 21 blocks.

But it's the intangibles that set him apart as one of the top players in the Mid-Suburban League - and Wolter understands that volleyball is more than just X's and O's or statistics.

"I like that quarterback analogy," Wolter said. "From the setter position, you are able to take on more of a leadership role. I've got a tight bond with Mr. Riedy and 'Schaff' (assistant coach Daria Schaffeld) - I trust them and they trust me.

"We had a young team last year with not a lot of varsity experience, so part of my job was to get the younger kids to understand the level of play that we needed to be successful."

Wolter began playing volleyball at South Middle School in Arlington Heights as a seventh grader. He quickly discovered that he had the talent to succeed at the next level, and although he has played other sports at Prospect such as football and soccer, he's now concentrating specifically on volleyball.

He's played club ball for Rolling Thunder and Circus, and as many top players realize, the sport can become a 365-day-a-year obsession.

The senior has competed at Junior National club tourneys such as the ones held in Salt Lake City and Atlanta, but is quick to point out his loyalties lie most prominently with leading the Knights to be the best they can be.

"We plan on a good run this year," said the senior. "We hope to win regionals again and get even farther in the sectionals. We know we have a powerhouse in our conference in Buffalo Grove (which has competed at the state tournament three of the last four seasons), and one of our goals is to match their success.

"We plan on taking it to the next level. We've got a lot of great athletes on our team this season."

And how have things changed from his first season on varsity, as a sophomore, to now?

"I think I've become more of a vocal leader," said Wolter. "I want to make sure that my teammates understand that I'm there for them, and anything I can do to help the team improve is important to me."

The senior has received interest from some local schools but has tentative plans to enroll next year the University of Iowa, where he hopes to continue to play - and excel - at the sport he loves.

But for now the focus in on the 2010 Prospect season.

"This year we've got a senior-oriented team," said Wolter. "I understand the guys and know what they want and need on the court, and I can adapt to their needs.

"A lot is expected of us this year, and we grasp that and take advantage of it - and the pressure will help us perform even better."