Boys volleyball: Scouting Northwest

MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Tim Kosiek

Outlook: "The team looks fantastic," said Kosiek. "It's honestly difficult to narrow it down to one player. Most of last year's starting lineup returns, and these boys have been working hard in the off-season to prepare. Kevin Shanahan will be a tremendous contributor offensively, Athan Cruz and Alex Fraz will be exciting to watch offensively, and in my opinion Tullio Ruscitti is the best libero BG has ever seen."

Roster to include: Kevin Shanahan, Athan Cruz ,Alex Franz, Tullio Ruscitti, Zach Schnittker

Elk GroveCoach: Dan Windholz

Outlook: "We are looking forward to an exciting season," said Windholz. "Our team has four returning senior starters that have all been three-year starters. We have eight seniors on the team and eight players with varsity experience. I have more depth on this team than in any other of my 10 years as head coach, and we'll be a team to contend with."

Roster to include: 6-4 Sr. S Ray Kraus; 6-0 Sr. OH Kevin Wickstrom; 6-5 Sr. MH Sam Jasutis; 6-4 Sr. MH Geoffrey Dybicz.

HerseyCoach: Nancy Lill

Outlook: "We are looking forward to a very competitive year," said Lill. "The East Division will be a battle and we will be challenged as we try to defend as East Division champs. This is a very talented and motivated team with a lot of firepower. We strive to improve with each match and hope to have a long run in the playoffs. We have nine seniors on the varsity squad and quite a few returning athletes returning from last year's team. Our younger team members return much improved and ready to contribute."

Roster to include: 6-5 OH Bart Migus, 6-3 OH Angelo Coniglio; OH Kevin Messer; L Peter Wesolowski; S Payton Haas; OH Alec Horne; MB Matt Hopkins; MB Josh Mailloux; DS Drew Snelson; juniors Ryan Bayerle, Dan Swan and John Bouvier,; seniors Luke Maki and Ian Roberts.

ProspectCoach: Mike Riedy

Outlook: "We're returning a number of starters from last year," said Riedy. "We would, therefore, expect to be competitive. We lost last year's setter Jacob Schwister and big hitter Grant Andler but have replaced them with some decent talent. Eryk Kyzyzak is an oustanding team leader, Alex Blethen has worked extremely hard in the off-season, and Dane Schweinzger will be a force to reckon with."

Roster to include: Eryk Krzyzak, Sr. Outside hitter; Alex Blethen, Sr. OH; Dane Schweinzger, Sr. MB; Matt Bohnen, Sr. MB; Kendrick Taves, Sr. RSH,; Kyle Gerber, Sr. S; Bryan Velazquez, Sr. DS/Libero

Rolling MeadowsCoach: Kevin Bourn

Outlook: This is an exciting season for the Mustangs," said Bourn."Our senior setter, Enrique Avellaneda, is looking to finish his remarkable athletic career here at RMHS on a high note. Tommy Murphy and Trevor Glasgow will be working together to tally up the kills just as they did in the off-season for their club team. Defensive specialists Jose Cruz and Marc Quezada will be looking to dig any hits coming their way. All players - seniors and underclassmen, returning starters and non-starters, will contribute this year."

Roster to include: Tommy Murphy, Jr. OH; Enrique Avellaneda, Sr. S; Jose Cruz, Sr. DS/Libero.

WheelingCoach: Jason Kopkowski

Outlook: "We were in a major transition last year, losing 11 seniors from the previous season," said Kopkowski. "This year we're looking for better things. Johny Carvajal brings leadership to our team, Albert Flores will improve on all his stats from last year, Alex Rybak will be a key contributor. Juan Salgado has great instincts and reactions which make him a phenomenal defensive play, and Jesus Zacarias will be a great utility player, able to swing from both pins."

Roster to include: Johny Carvajal, Sr. DS; Albert Flores, Sr. M; Alex Rybak, Sr. OH; Juan Salgado, Jr. DS; Jesus Zacarias, Sr. OH

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

BarringtonCoach: Rob Ridenour

Outlook: "We're excited to get started," said Ridenour. "We've got a nice mix of strong seniors and multiple talented underclassmen. Our biggest strength is that we are big, physical and athletic. With some time we can be a very good blocking team. They key for us will be to develop a consistent leve of serving, attacking and ball control."

Roster to include: Justin Glader, Sr. 6-5 OH; Noah Ricchetti, Sr. 6-4 S; Adam Glader, Sr. 6-4 OH; Ethan Carroll, Jr. 6-8 Opp.; Justin Hana, Sr. 6-1 MH; Sean Frey, Sr. 6-2 OH; J Murray, Jr. 6-8 MH; Josh Babicz, So. 6-6 MH; James Tiao, Jr. 5-8 L; Joe Roeckell, Jr. 6-5 OH; Mike Stefan, Jr. 6-4 Opp.; Justin Tiao, Jr. 5-11 L; Jack Ridgway, Jr. 5-10 L; Matt Rowley, Jr. 6-2 S

ConantCoach: Steven Peter

Outlook: "We're hoping to improve upon the success of last year," said Peter. "Our key positions are filled with energetic and skillful young guns. Our outside hitters are poised and ready to aggressively score points on free balls and serve receive. Our liberos pride themselves an the ability to steal kills from opponents, and our middles will hope to control the net and funnel our opponents into our defensive scheme."

Roster to include: Nathan Armando, Sr.; Nickan Azarafrooz, Sr.; John Blonde, Jr.; Timothy Breiter, Soph.; Michael DiPaolo, Jr.; John (JT) Levitt, Sr.; Connor Lejman, Sr.; Kyle Nelli, Jr.; Nicholas Pope, Jr.; Yogi Patel, Sr.; Pavle Todorov, Soph.; Nikola Todorov, Jr.

FremdCoach: Curt Pinley

Outlook: "We return some players in key areas while replacing in other areas,"said Pinley. " We have a great team dynamic which I think will carry us far throughout the season. We have skill and some size which should help us compete. Hopefully we can get up to speed sooner than later as the season progresses. I think we will be a much stronger team near the end of the season, when you want to have your strongest team. I look forward to seeing who we are and what we can become."

Roster to include: Eduardo Amador, S Sr.; Patrick Kurka, DS/Libero Jr.; Ben Zimmerman, OH Sr.; Jacob Cuthbert, OH Sr.; Lucas Lange, M Sr.; Kevin Wade, M Sr.; Jeremiah Chiang DS Jr.; Kyle Saxon, OH Jr.; Tyler Larson, OH/S Jr.

Hoffman EstatesCoach: Dan Hutton

Outlook: "We lost a lot of great players to graduation last year," said Hutton, " but we have a nice mix of returning players and new guys to the varsity team. The boys are working well with each other. The seniors bring a lot of energy and encouragement to the new varsity players. We are looking to start the season off strong at our Hawk Invite at the end of spring break. We are also looking forward to improving on last year's record in the MSL."

Roster to include: Matt Stacy (Senior) returning setter third year; Hardik Patel (Senior) returning setter second year; Piotr Wrobel (Senior) returning OH second year; Dhruv Gajjar senior OH; Brian Girard Senior MB; Tim Kelly Junior MB; Cedarian Jones-Stevens Junior MB; Bailey Maze Junior OH

PalatineCoach: Frank Stark

Outlook: The guys seem like they are a pretty tight group of kids that get excited about working hard," said Stark. " We have a lot of offensive diversity, which should be fun. At this point in the season it is always so much fun seeing how the guys are bonding and challenging each other. They will be the ones who eventually determine the outcome of the season."

Roster to include: Tyler Kendzior, Sr. RH and Setter l; Ryan Campbell, Opp.; Jake Boldog, Setter and OH; Ryan Frankel, DS.

SchaumburgCoach: Jeff O'Brien

Outlook: "Last year we had a strong season with a 22-14 record," O'Brien said. "We graduated a strong senior class, but we're back for more this year and we are looking to compete with a strong performance in our conference. We had a disappointing exit from state competition last season so we're looking forward to strong tournament appearances."

Roster to include: Bhozidar Kolev, Sr. OH; Nidhin Thomas, Sr. S; Kevin McGinn, Sr. MB.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestCoach: Randy Tiller

Outlook: "We have a young team this season," said Tiller, "three returning seniors and nine juniors, including our setters. We have some height and good speed. Our season will be determined by how quickly the juniors can adjust to the speed and power of the varsity game."

Roster includes: Kieran O'Brien, Sr. MB; Lucas Metzger, Jr. S; Jack Nohelty, Jr. S; Melvic Jusi, Jr. OH; Scott Kryszak, Jr. OH; John Hacker, Jr. MB; Connor O'Brien, Jr. Opp; Marco Sanchez, Jr. Opp; DJ Meyers, Sr. DS,

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorCoach: Chris Boylan

Outlook: "We look to build off our successes in recent years," said Boylan. "We have three returning starters and expectations are high. The kids have been working extremely hard during the off-season. Ryan (Schiller) is the leader of our team, Vito (Brunetti) provides constant communication to his teammates and Matt (Drab) is ready to provide the offense at the outside position."

Roster to Include: Sr. Ryan Schiller, Sr. Vito Brunetti, Sr. Matt Drab

WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeydenCoach: Matt Figiel

Outlook: "I am really excited for the upcoming boys' volleyball season and so is the team," said Figiel. "I have a team of athletes. I believe this team is one of the stronger teams Leyden has had in the past few years, so I am very optimistic. Mike (Motyka) has developed into a very mature volleyball player and Robert (Simian) is the heart and soul of our back row."

Roster to include: Mike Motyka, Soph. S; Robert Simian, Jr. L