Boys volleyball: Scouting Lake County
AntiochCoach: Jamie Atkinson (9th year)
Returners: Ian Flatley, Nathan Borries, Romelo Catalan
Newcomers: Kristian Jimenez, Thomas Howell, Jordan Hart
Outlook: The Sequoits were quite young a season ago. Now at least two honorable mention selections from a year ago, return to help Antioch. And both are juniors. Ian Flately stands 6-4 and can hit outside. And he'll get some special sets from Nathan Borries. This busy three-sport athlete registered 31 blocks to go with 181 assists.
CarmelCoach: Kevin Nylen (8th year)
Top returning players: Sr. Kyle Zeman, Jr. Patrick Meadie, Sr. Drew Mehigan
Top newcomers: Jr. Pete Bitto, Jr. Carson Buckner, Sr. Brian Esterquest, Jr. Ryan Fuller, So. John Herron, Jr. James Ivers, Jr. Spencer Mueller, So. Sean Wittmann
GrantCoach: Dan Bryant (first year)
Top returning players: Sr. RS Brock Lundman, Sr. MH Jason Kaye, Sr. S Tony Catinella, Sr. OH Andrew Fischer
Top newcomers: Sr. DS Connor Cray, Sr. S Ryan McGarry
Outlook: The new coach brings back eight players from last year's team. And Bryant said there was a great commitment in the off-season. The team is looking to improve in every aspect each day and practices have been extremely competitive. He is excited about the development this group has made and anxious to show our improvement. Bryant can also build around Kaye, an all-conference selection.
LakesCoach: Katie Cheek (2nd year)
Last season's record: 14-23
Top returning players: Colton Jewell, Avery Brodde, Nick Hallberg, Adam Booker, Dalton Solbrig
Top newcomers: Michael Modell, Matthew Modell
Outlook: That 6-6 power hitter, Solbrig, has much to look forward to. He's off to the University of Hawaii for volleyball. In the meantime, he's a very dangerous hitter for the Eagles. A season ago, the senior pounded 247 kills and added 175 aces. He'll get plenty of help from setter Colton Jewell. Look for the Eagles to post a winning record this season with the return of veterans Booker, Hallberg and Brodde.
Lake ZurichCoach: Lesly Ravenscraft
Last year's record: 24-12
LibertyvilleCoach: Jennifer Smith (second season)
Top returners: Chris Akers, Marc Laska, Zac Hauser, Pete Feely, Konner McCormack, Scott Spence, Kyle Winegar, Sam Kharasch
Outlook: OK, so opening day didn't come up roses. But this Libertyville squad should be in for a strong campaign. Akers returns following a season in which he had 190 kills and 204 digs. He was an All-NSC pick. And in Tuesday's three-set loss to Maine South, Akers had a team-leading 12 kills. Joining Akers is a 6-foot-5 senior middle in Feely. Another all-NSC pick, he had 120 kills and 78 blocks.
MundeleinCoach: George Dressen Jr. (14th year)
Top teturners: Anthony Fiore (Capt., RS to Setter), Jake Langlie (Capt., Lib. to OH), Roman Tkachuk (MB), Jace Mattson (OH to RS).
Top newcomers: Abram Nazario (Fr. Lib.), Blake Graham (Sr. OH)
Outlook: Dressen reports he might be a little lonely this spring. "I have my smallest number of players (11) on the varsity team ever," Dressen said. "They play with a lot of heart and get better each day in practice. Time will tell how fast everything will come together."
StevensonCoach: Eric Goolish (second year)
Last year's record: 18-19
Top returners: Jesse Kesner, Justin Leonard, Grant Maleski
Top newcomers: Eric Zalewski, Luke Feder, Jeffrey Wang
Outlook: Granted he's just a sophomore, but Maleski is clearly a player to watch who can hit and serve with authority. The new setter, Zalewski is a dangerous hitter at the net. The Pats overcame some large leads on Tuesday in set three to post a win over visiting Glenbrook South. The team seems to enjoy each other and may use the mental part of the game to beat some foes this spring.
Vernon HillsCoach: Chris Curry (15th year)
Last year's record: 28-10 (10-1 in NSC, 1st)
Top returning players: Dylan DeBoer, Sr OH; Lem Turner, Sr. MB; Jared Bennett Jr. OH/Setter; Cory Levin, Sr Setter
Top newcomers: Ian Thoren, Sr MB, Johnny McDonald, Jr. OH; Alon Polischuk, Sr. OH/libero; Chris Winter, Jr MB.
Outlook: "Even though we graduated four starters, we have a lot of varsity experience back on the court," said Curry. "Team captains Turner (Ball State) and DeBoer (Stevens, DIII) are both headed for college volleyball. The intensity and effort in the gym has been the best we've seen in years. These guys were almost all on the roster last year when we lost in the sectionals, and the feeling is that we just didn't put the work in early to be successful when it mattered. This year, they're putting in a ton of work early." DeBoer proved to be a versatile player a season ago and Turner is one of the better blockers around.
Warren
Coach: Yun Chen (11th year)
Last year's record: 28-14, second in state
Top returning players: Zach Schultz, Ruben Torres, Aaron Wagan (S), Anthony Amrozowicz (S), Carter Wood (RS), Logan Capizzi (MH), Tyler Barnett (OH)
Top newcomers: Jr. MH Asif Huq, Sr. DS Bernard Crowley, So. OH Danny Johnson, Jr. RS Jake White, So. OH Jaxon Bongratz, Jr. RS/DS Melwin Rajan, Sr. MH Nathan Kelch, Jr. MH Parker Main
Outlook: After the Blue Devils closed the season on such a high note last spring, it was time to say goodbye to plenty of seniors. Still, Chen believes this year's club will be able to make waves as well. "We feel that we still have a strong group of players returning from the team last year that played important roles in our team success," Chen said. "Our returning players will engage new team members in setting high goals for the season as we build on the successes we had last year."