Boys volleyball: Scouting Northwest
Mid-Suburban EastBuffalo Grove comes into the 2016 season as defending Mid-Suburban League champions. "I believe we will continue to bring strong competitors in our area despite graduating many seniors," said coach Tim Kosiek. The Bison had an overall record of 27-8 last year and were lead in battle by Zach Schnittker, who returns for his senior season. Also back are junior Ian VanWazer, who Koskie says "is a strong outside hitter who contributed in key moments last year when asked to step in. He's consistent, passionate and should make a significant contribution." Blake Maley, a senior, will also be a key cog in the BG attack. "Blake will keep the defense competitive," said Kosiek. "He'll step in as the libero after spending the previous year as a defensive specialist. He exhibits tremendous leadership and stability for our team, both competitively and emotionally. Overall, we hope to maintain a dynamic offense this year supported by our experienced defensive players."
They key player for the Elk Grove Grenadiers this season will be returnee Anthony Prochenski, a senior libero and all-area honorable mention last season. But the Grens have graduated 8 other seniors, so coach Dan Windholz calls this season "promising but unknown." Other players who are counted on to step up will be returning starters Kevin Braceros (junior outside hitter) and Connor Emmerich (senior middle hitter). "We'll know more about our team as the season progresses," said Windholz. "Our younger players are showing that they're ready to step in to open spots. Practices have been very competitive." The Grens finished 2015 with an overall record of 25-12 and were regional runners-up.
Hersey lost some great players to graduation after a 29-8 overall season, which culminated in a co-Mid Suburban East championship. But the Huskies will also return a strong team in 2016, one that includes all conference and all area player Angelo Conigilio. "Angelo was one of our top two hitters last season," said coach Nancy Lill, "and he will be a primary swing in our offense this season as well. His all around game is much improved." Also competing for Hersey will be 6-foot-4 junior hitter Matt Hopkins, who Lill says "can be a dominant player at the net", along with junior Vince Reisel and freshman Jakub Migus. "We have a good mix of returning players and young, talented athletes," said Lill. "We hope to be competitive in the always tough MSL East." Also making strides for the Huskies will be seniors Dan Swan, Ryan Bayerle, Pattrick Nemmer and John Bouvier, and juniors Justin Hong, Christian Castro, and Collin Mallers."
Key returnees for the Prospect Knights this season will be senior Liam Benson, the only player with varsity experience; senior Scotty B, who will be the new setter but is a player coach Mike Riedy says "has shown tremendous growth in the past two weeks"; junior Glenn Wiley, who will look to make an impact in the middle after coming off a strong club season; and junior Evan Sadlon, a lefty side hitter. Prospect enjoyed a strong 2015 with a 22-13 record, a mark that included 7 wins in the Mid-Suburban East, but Riedy says that this will be a rebuilding year for his squad. "With only one returning starter," said Riedy, "we will struggle early to get players acclimated to their new varsity roles. But I think things will start to click after they get a few matches under their belt."
Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Bourn said the Mustangs want to pick up where they left off last year. "We hit our stride at the end of the season," said Bourn. "We won ten of our last twelve games. With nine seniors on the roster this year, we are looking for the underclassmen to get us started on the right foot. " Meadows returns Tommy Murphy, a senior outside hitter and all-conference and all-area player last season. Also key for the Mustangs chances will be junior libero Marc Quezada, who Bourn said "made big strides in the off season", and senior middle blocker Trevor Glasgow. The highlight for Meadows in 2015 was a championship at the Fremd Invitational. "We have three positions to fill due to graduation," said Bourn, "including the key setter position, but there's no doubt that this more experienced group will fill in where needed." Logan Reese will also provide support to Meadows, which finished last year at 22-16.
Wheeling is hoping to improve its fortunes in 2016 after what coach Jason Kopkowski calls a "season of growth" last year. "We started three sophomores last season," said Kopkowski, "and often times we were playing with four or five sophomores on the court." Top returnees for the Wildcats will be senior outside hitter Tyler LaRosa - who Kopkowski says "brings great leadership to our team. This is his fourth year of playing volleyball in high school as well as playing club in the off-season. He continues to get better defensively and offensively he is becoming a very well-rounded player." Also on the roster expected to contribute will be seniors Juan Salgado, Zalman Faltushanskiy and Kevin Burgess, and juniors Kyle Bagarella, Matt Schiferl, and Michael Lechowicz. "I'm looking forward to a succesfull season," said Kopkowski. "Every day the energy levels have been high and the effort of each athlete is at one hundred percent. We're focused on getting better each day and improving everyone's role on the team. Our goal is to execute at a high and consistent level daily."
Mid-Suburban WestPerennial state contender Barrington enjoyed one of their strongest seasons ever in 2015. The Broncos lost only 3 times all season and advanced as far as the sectional final. Now it could be more of the same this year behind returning starters Ethan Carroll (a 6-8 outside hitter), TJ Murray, Josh Babicz and James Tiao. "We're excited to get the season started," said Broncos coach Rob Ridenour. "We have a nice mix this year of strong seniors and multiple talented underclassmen." Also on the squad this year will be Joe Roeckell, Mike Stefan, Justin Tiao, Jack Ridgway, Matt Rowley and Connor Shoults, in addition to newcomers Jacob Werner, Stephen Wanca, Sean Dolan, Zach Robins, Andrew Guglski and Michael Hagan. "Our biggest strength is that we're big, physical and athletic," added Ridenour. "With some time we can be a very good blocking team - the key for us will be to develop a consistent level in serving, attacking and ball control."
Conant is ready to hang its hat on its defensive effort in 2016. "We expect tenacious defense from all players," said Cougars coach Steven Peter, who welcome back three key players this season, Tim Breiter, Nick Pope, and Nikola Todorov. "We'll also have creative offensive schemes and that will need to be a focus." Conant is looking to improve over last year's 11-23 mark. "Our new squad of men look fit and healthy," said Peter, "and they have the determination and skills to back it up. Our guys have put in a lot of time with club teams and open gym competition, and we're ready to battle the MSL teams until the last point."
Fremd will look to an influx of talent from the JV squad to extend their recent successes. "We're excited about the upcoming season," said Vikings coach Curt Pinley. "We look to be very competitive on the varsity level." Fremd will have three returning starters in seniors Patrick Kurka (DS/Libero), Tyler Larson (outside hitter/setter) and Kyle Saxon (outside hitter). Other contributors will be seniors Pawel Warzacha, Matt Lebiedzinski, Alex Johnson, Jeremiah Chiang, Jovany Candelas and Patrick Benka; and juniors Kalbe Scharman and Aaron Kuhlman. "I think the possibilities for this team rely on how fast we can grow as players," said Pinley. "There is a lot of competition at both levels, so the results should be a program that will fight to improve. I look forward to the challenges of this season, and all the possibilities it holds."
Hoffman Estates has graduated most of the varsity starters from last season. Still, coach Dan Hutton said the Hawks have had a "great first week of practice and the boys are working well together." The varsity returnees in 2016 are seniors Cederian Jones-Stevens, Kevin Lancor and Daniel Salem, and junior Daniel Ham, while the newcomers include TJ Rodgers, Khalil Graves, John Lynch, Miguel Pineda, Michael Swan, Alan Zapinski and James Swan. "Everyone is treating every day as a tryout," added Hutton. We're excited to see who is going to emerge from this group as a starter. The boys know that no spot is guaranteed and this is making for very competitive practices. They're looking forward to our six matches over spring break to showcase their skills."
All signs are pointing upward for Palatine after an extremely successful season last year in which the Pirates finished 26-11 and in second place in the Mid-Suburban West. Leading the way for the Pirates will be senior setter Jake Boldog, who has already committed to play next year at North Greenville. "We've lost a couple of three year starters in Tyler Kendzior and Ryan Campbell," said Palatine coach Frank Stark, "but some of the seniors now have really stepped up their game." Senior libero Andrew Padilla will be back, as will second-year starter Johnny O'Shea, a sophomore outside hitter. Other key players on the roster will be senior middles Zack Wheat and Tristan Osterhues.
This campaign for Schaumburg will be a work in progress, according to coach Jeff O'Brien. The Saxons had a solid 2015 season, finishing at .500 for the year, but now O'Brien says "we're a little inexperienced this year. We have a couple of seniors that got very limited varsity game experience last season, but we are looking forward to developing as a team, and gaining some varsity playing experience." The returning seniors that will lead the Saxons in 2016 will be Sam Smith, Eddy Petritis, Nic Lazerevic, and Justin Rieves. Newcomers to the squad are senior Kameron Groves, junior Andrew Norris, and sophomores Daniel Kaszuba and Brian Kirschbaum.
West Suburban GoldFirst-year Leyden coach Lauren Dembkowski is excited about her squad's chances this year. "We've got a lot of experienced players returning to the varsity team," said Dembkowski. "Last year we had a young group who were learning to play at the varsity level, this year they've gained another year of experience." At the forefront for the Eagles will be junior setter Mike Motyka, senior libero Robert Simian, and senior outside hitter Matt Jardine. Also expected to make big contributions will be senior outside hitter Carlos Diaz and senior right side hitter Roy Vizcarra. "They've got the dedication and motivation to be successful in volleyball," added Dembkowski. "With our senior leadership and experience I am looking forward to a great season."
East Suburban CatholicSt. Viator won a regional championship last season and have 7 players back from that team. "The guys are hungry for more success," said Lions coach Chris Boylan. Key returnees from a team that scored 25 wins in 2015 will be three seniors; outside hitter James Woods, middle Max Hogan, and setter Collin Cull. "The off season has been great," added Boylan. "After the first few practices I can see that the boys are excited to play volleyball together again."
Central Suburban NorthMaine West struggled last season but has the luxury of returning varsity players Marco Sanchez and Conor O'Brien, both opposites; setters Lucas Metzger and Jack Nohelty, outside hitters Scott Kryszak and Melvic Jusi, middle blocker John Hacker and libero Ian Shacklette. The Warriors will also count on newcomers Matt Halverson, Levin Rosete and Kevin Lee. "We are blessed with eight returning players who know the system," said Maine West coach Randy Tiller. "The team returns almost intact, and we're taller, stronger and faster than we were last season. If we can use our height to its fullest advantage, we will also present an effective defense. We will be stronger in conference this year."