by Phil Brozynski

Wheaton Warrenville South served notice that it will not relinquish its state volleyball title without a fight last weekend.

Led by tournament MVP Eric Hardek, the Tigers defeated New Trier, Buffalo Grove and Glenbrook North to win their first Tiger Classic title since 2004. WW South won with only two seniors on its roster – Hardek and libero Brian Williams.

The Tigers’ rotation features 6-10 junior outside Neill Nystrom, 6-9 junior Rob Samp, 6-4 freshman Eric Luhrsen, 6-3 junior outside Kevin Mueller and 6-2 junior setter Joe Kelly.

Six-foot-7 junior middle Neil Whittington is expected to play for the first time this season when the Tigers resume DuPage Valley Conference play Tuesday.

◘ It became inevitable that when Marist opened its doors to girls a few years ago that the school’s athletic rosters would become dotted with both female and male members of the same family.

The 2008 boys volleyball team features three players whose sisters were standouts at Marist: senior libero Marco Loncar, whose sister Jenna is a freshman at Augustana; sophomore opposite Dave Nelson, whose sister Abby is a freshman at Illinois; and 6-7 junior opposite Joe Smalzer, whose sister Claire is now at Duke.

Marist lost twice at WW South, losing to Naperville Central in pool play Thursday and to York in the quarterfinals of the Silver division on Saturday. The RedHawks defeated Waubonsie Valley and Evanston to finish fifth in the Silver.

◘ Glenbrook South coach Tim Monahan said that 6-2 sophomore outside hitter C.J. Berg will be a player to watch in the next two years. Berg was named to the all-tournament team after leading Glenbrook South to the Bronze division title.

◘ Joining Berg on the all-tournament team were: senior opposite Joe Ascher of Buffalo Grove; senior setter Tim Bedford of Glenbrook North; senior outside Corey Bigham of Lincoln-Way Central; senior outside Matt Brahm of York; and senior opposite Erik Brand of New Trier.

Also, senior outside Jon Bunge of Naperville North; senior outside Randy Hansen of Oak Lawn; senior outside Matt Jercich of Marist; junior setter Joe Kelly of WW South; senior middle Sean Lischke of St. Louis DeSmet; and senior outside Kevin Padden of Brother Rice.

Rounding out the all-tournament team were senior middle Matt Pollock of Sandburg and senior middle Mark Shipp of Cincinnati Moeller.

◘ Lincoln-Way Central coach Joann Holverson is high on 6-3 senior outside Corey Bingham, who led the Knights to an eighth-place finish..

“He’s quiet and unassuming, but he’s been hitting the ball well for us lately,” she said.

◘ According to reliable sources, prior to their meeting at the Tiger Classic Saturday, Naperville North had defeated crosstown rival Naperville Central in 14 consecutive matches including DuPage Valley, invitational and state tournament play.

The Redhawks snapped the streak with a 19-25, 26-24, 25-20 victory in the fifth-place match Saturday.

◘ And finally, get well wishes to former New Trier standout Ted Garard. A rare skin disorder has sent Garard to the sidelines at Ball State. Garard is on medication and is expected to return to practice soon.

Posted by Back Row at 04:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

By Phil Brozynski

Naperville North reached the championship game of the Bison Battle at Buffalo Grove Saturday almost by default. The Huskies lost their second game in pool play to Buffalo Grove, then struggled to beat Schaumburg in three. This on the heels of an opening-day loss at Neuqua Valley.

Meanwhile, Glenbrook North looked unbeatable while disposing of Wheaton Warrenville South (25-19, 25-21) and Sandburg (25-20, 25-20). But looks can be deceiving. Naperville North rolled over Glenbrook North 25-16, 25-19, to win the eight-team tournament.

“That was the first time we were really challenged,” Glenbrook North coach Chris Cooper said. “We lost a little confidence early and didn’t get it back until the end of the second game. Their outsides are what killed us. They also outdug and outpassed us.”

Naperville North’s Jon Bunge, who had 11 kills against Glenbrook North including three that helped the Huskies build a 16-9 lead in game two, said it was all about confidence, staying in a comfort zone and momentum.

“Volleyball is a game of momentum, and it can change like that,” Bunge said. “Today, we were able to capitalize when we got it. Once we got up, we were more in our comfort zone. We just have to continue to play our game and not let it go to our heads.”

Despite the loss, Glenbrook North looks like the team to beat on the North Shore. The Spartans are led by 6-foot-2 outside hitter Billy Vydra, setter Tim Bedford, 6-4 rightside Jack Paleczny and 6-3 senior middle Will Brydon.

“Ten or 11 of us played club together and we really developed some chemistry,” Vydra said. “We’re not very tall, but we have a lot of athleticism and we’re quick. A lot of games are won by defense, and quickness helps.”

Sandburg played the tournament without its standout libero Dave Walery. But the Eagles got stellar performances from 6-9 middle hitter Matt Pollack, 6-7 rightside Matt Fox and 6-foot sophomore Pat Schulte.

Sandburg will battle Providence, Marist, Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way East to advance to the state tournament out of the Lincoln-Way Central sectional.

“It’s a matter of us gelling,” Sandburg coach Dave Vales said. “We didn’t pass very well against Glenbrook North. They have a nice mix. I didn’t see too many weaknesses. But we battled until the end.”

Wheaton Warrenville South, which hopes to get injured 6-7 middle Neal Whittington back this week, rebounded from losses to Sandburg and Glenbrook North to defeat Buffalo Grove for fifth place. Six-foot-10 outside Neill Nystrom sat out the win over Buffalo Grove with a sore knee.

“You can make excuses, or ultimately you can go out and play,” said WW South coach Bill Schreier after his team’s losses. “I told the kids they’ve got to come to play. They’re going to get everybody’s best shot.”

Posted by Back Row at 05:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Phil Brozynski

Because one list just isn’t enough, here are 50 more volleyball players to watch in 2008:

Blake Austin, 6-6, Sr., MH, Oak Park
Felipe Bastos, 5-8, Sr., S, Lincoln Park
Mike Bolhuis, 5-11, Sr., L, Lincoln-Way East
Matt Brahm, 6-3, Sr., OH, York
Erik Brand, 6-4, Sr., OH, New Trier
Mike Brdicka, 6-6, Sr., MH, Naperville Central
Josh Brozek, 6-4, Sr., MB, Benet
Feris Cano, 6-2, Sr., MH, Payton
Brian Clark, 6-3, Sr., MH, Neuqua Valley
Scott Clay, 6-2, Sr., S, Lyons
Roger Coffin, 6-8, Sr., MH, York
Peter Dabrowski, 6-6, Jr., MB, Glenbard East
Kevin Donahue, 6-3, Sr., MH, Brother Rice
Connor Dougherty, 6-8, Jr., MH, Waubonsie Valley
Dan Dowjotas, 6-2, Sr., OH, Montini
Brett Ellis, Sr., OH, St. Charles North
Chris Falknor, 6-1, Jr., OH, Buffalo Grove
Bill Foran, 6-2, Sr., OH, Benet
Dan Frommeyer, 6-5, Sr., MH, Barrington
George Ghassan, 6-6, Sr., MH, Waubonsie Valley
Alex Gigler, 6-4, Sr., OH, Waubonsie Valley
Kevin Hoag, 6-2, Sr., MH, Payton
Howard Hu, 5-11, Sr., OH, Lincoln Park
Nick Janky, 6-4, Sr., OH, Lincoln-Way East
Tom Jelonek, 6-3, Sr., MH, Addison Trail
Noah Johnson, 6-2, Sr., MH, Hinsdale Central
Charlie Kahn, 6-5, Sr., MH, Oak Park
Albert Klimek, 6-3, So., MH, Whitney Young
Victor Lei, 6-1, Jr., S, Naperville Central
Joe Lombard, 6-2, Sr., OH, Marist
Steve Mattes, 6-1, Sr., S, Brother Rice
Chris Michellotti, 6-8, Sr., MH, Barrington
Karl Nerger, 6-2, Sr., OH, Northside Prep
Dan Orna, 6-1, Sr., OH, Naperville North
John Prout, 6-6, Jr., MH, Evanston
Kevin Przychoni, 6-3, Sr., OH, Marist
Jake Rio, 6-2, Sr., OH, St. Francis
Rob Samp, 6-9, Jr., MB, Wheaton Warrenville South
Tom Seagraves, 6-4, Sr., MB, Glenbard East
Jehu Shamlin, 6-3, Sr., MH, New Trier
John Shurna, 6-8, Sr., MB, Glenbard West
Joe Sponseller, 6-4, Sr., OH, Carmel
Paul Springer, 6-5, Sr., OH, Evanston
Jake Torcasso, 5-11, Sr., OH, Lake Park
George Vasels, 6-1, Sr., S, Taft
Dave Walery, 5-9, Sr., L, Sandburg
Neal Whittington, 6-7, Jr., MB, Wheaton Warrenville South
Jordan Williams, 6-5, Jr., OH, Hinsdale Central
Larry Wrather, 5-11, Jr., OH, Lake Forest
Dave Zuber, 6-2, Sr., OH, Addison Trail

Posted by Back Row at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

By Phil Brozynski

The Red North Division has dominated Chicago Public Schools boys volleyball, winning seven consecutive city titles and 10 of the last 11. The division figures to produce another city titlist in 2008.

Taft finished third in the Red North but won the CPS tournament last year. Five players return from that team including 6-foot-4 senior Lukasz Sienko and 6-1 senior George Vasels. Sienko will play both middle and outside for the Eagles while Vasels moves to setter.

“George has really dedicated himself to being a setter and set for his club team,” said first-year Taft coach Keith Scherdt. “Lukasz is our best blocker. Both George and Lukasz will be the leaders of this team.”

Lincoln Park does not return much height, but coach John Davis does return his top hitter from 2007 in 5-foot-11 Howard Hu, an all-city libero in 5-8 Daniel Lin, and 5-8 setter Felipe Bastos, who honed his skills in the off-season at the Powerhouse volleyball club.

“The division will be very competitive this year,” Davis said. “Taft, Lincoln Park, Northside Prep, Whitney Young, Lane and Payton all have quality teams with numerous club players.”

Northside Prep joins the Red North after going 10-0 in the Green (and 22-7 overall) last year. Northside should be well-equipped to make the jump, with 6-2 senior outside hitter Karl Nerger and 6-3 junior middle Craig Melhuse leading the way.

Other top players for coach Nicole Flores are 6-foot junior setter John Konow, 6-5 senior middle blocker Jack Moore and 5-10 freshman opposite Luke Sobieraj.

Payton finished 22-15 last year and was runner-up to Taft in the city tournament. Payton lost its top two players, Henry Gottlieb and Jeyser Perez, and seven seniors from that team and will sport a new look in 2008.

Coach Casey Feeney is counting on a pair of 6-2 senior middle hitters, Faris Cano and Kevin Hoag, and 6-0 sophomore outside hitter Kevin Kingsley.

Young finished 28-7 last year and reached the state quarterfinals with a regional championship victory over Fenwick and a sectional final win over St. Ignatius. But the Dolphins lost their top three hitters and their setter, and will rebuild around 6-2 outside Konrad Klimek.

Posted by Back Row at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

By Phil Brozynski

Wheaton Warrenville South enters the 2008 boys volleyball season heavily favored to win its fourth state title in the past five years, but the list of challengers is impressive.

One of those challengers is Hinsdale Central, which returns seven of its top 10 players from last year’s 34-5 team. The Red Devils will be led by 5-foot-11 senior playmaker Peter Netisingha.

As a junior, Netisingha recorded 886 assists, 52 aces, 209 digs, 50 kills and 24 blocks to lead Hinsdale Central to the sectional final against Downers Grove South. Netisingha returns for his fourth year on varsity.

Joining Netisingha as a four-year veteran is 6-3 outside Pat Dodd, who led the Red Devils with 326 kills. Dodd added 197 digs, 40 aces, 53 blocks and 13 assists for veteran coach Len Serwat.

“Netisingha and Dodd bring a wealth of leadership to our team,” Serwat said. “We lost three talented players to graduation, but we have confidence that we have newcomers to fill those spots.”

Other key players for Hinsdale Central will be 6-5 junior outside Jordan Williams (153 kills, 45 blocks), 6-2 senior middle Noah Johnson (133 kills, 86 blocks), senior libero Rob Everette (140 digs, 28 aces), and 6-4 junior Alex Andre.

Another team to watch is Lyons, which returns 12 seniors, six of whom started in some capacity, from last year’s 24-14 team that lost to Hinsdale Central 26-24, 25-22 in the sectional semifinals.

The Lions will miss graduated outside Patrick Kilrea and libero Chris Arquilla, but welcome back 6-3 outside Justas Pagojas (210 kills), 6-4 outside Andrew Gulik (195 kills), and 6-2 setter Scott Clay (657 assists).

“We have some pieces to figure out, but I look for us to make a run at a state appearance,” Lyons coach Joann Pyritz said.

Posted by Back Row at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)