Barrington moves to 7-0 with win over Fremd

It had to be a bit of a nostalgic feeling Thursday night for Barrington first-year coach Charlie Spry.

Spry, not too far removed from his playing days for the Broncos, brought his team to Fremd's gym to face the Vikings and longtime coach Curt Pinley, who is retiring after this season.

"It was a little bit surreal, that's for sure," said Spry. "I expected to be coaching here one day, but to be honest, I didn't expect it to be so soon."

Barrington improved to 7-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Mid-Suburban West with a 25-17, 25-21 boys volleyball win over the Vikings, and it wasn't the first time that Pinley had to go up against a former conference player-turned-coach.

"Dan Gavin - the head coach over at Palatine - was actually on my team," said Pinley, who coaches both the boys and the girls teams for the Vikings. "Now he's an opposing coach, so I've done this a couple of times now."

The schedule makers didn't do any favors to Fremd (0-2, 0-1) this season, as it opened the year against two of the top teams in the area - Buffalo Grove and the Broncos.

The Vikings battled the Bison in their opening match but lost a tough one at 25-23, 22-25, 25-23.

"I tell you what, we opened with two heavy hitters," said Pinley, "but in order to become better, you want to be opening up against two teams like this.

"I thought we did a really good against Buffalo Grove but just came up a little bit short, and Barrington is the team you want to be facing all the time if you want to get better. We played well in set two tonight, we gave ourselves an opportunity by getting over 20 points, and anytime you're over 20, you're in the game."

Fremd led early in both sets, but the visiting Broncos were able to turn the tide in both games midway through.

The Vikings led set one 10-7, but with 6-foot-8 senior outside hitter Jack O'Riordan on serve, Barrington reeled off 7 straight points to take a commanding lead.

A kill by O'Riordan brought the Broncos to 24-15, then Fremd fought back with points from Camden Seaver and Marco Boscolo (a block kill).

But a serve into the net on the following point gave game one to Barrington.

"I think we kept the energy level high," said O'Riordan. " (Fremd) had a good crowd, but we were passing really well and for the most part we took care of the ball."

Fremd led set two as well before 2 kills in the middle from senior Alexander Zastawny pushed the Broncos in front.

Barrington led the rest of the way, and although Fremd got within 23-20 on a block from senior outside hitter Aaron Sallade, the Broncos closed it out with a bump by Marc Gryzlo, a set from Carsten Wegh, and a final kill from 6-10 sophomore Cole Hartke.

O'Riordan had 9 kills and 3 digs for the Broncos; Hartke finished with 12 kills, 3 digs, and an ace; and Wegh had 25 assists.

Sallade led the Vikings with 7 kills and 18-of-22 on attack, while David Nora served up 2 aces and at the conclusion of the match

Pinley had some encouraging words about new coach Spry.

"He's got a nice team to work with," said Pinley, "and he's that guy that will bring a positive vibe to Barrington - and that always helps. I'll think he'll do a nice job."

"He's been great so far," said Broncos setter Wegh, a junior, of Spry. "I know him from club, he's a great coach and a super nice guy."