You don't want to be caught napping when the boys state volleyball tournament gets underway Monday.

There's no such thing as "retirement" in coaching.

After amassing a record of 246-50 as the boys head coach at Sandburg with eight straight regionals and an Elite Eight appearance, coach David Vales decided to step away from coaching in the spring.

Or so he thought.

After coaching the girls in the fall, Vales went on to coach his two sons and daughter in basketball and volleyball at Landmark Christian Academy in Palos Heights. He currently is coaching his son's baseball team as well.

So much for taking the spring off from coaching.

"I'm realizing how fast time goes by and I wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world," Vales said. "I still follow the boys' program, but coach (Sean) Airola is the one staying up late after a tough loss or preparing for the next opponent."

Now Vales can sleep easier, but still gets no rest.

***

Richmond-Burton's Ali Frantti, Molly Haggerty of St. Francis, New Trier's Taylor Tashima and Rockford Boylan's Bryanna Weiskircher are among 26 candidates for the USA Youth National Team. The 26 will be pared to 12 after a four-day tryout in Colorado Springs in June.

Those chosen will represent the USA at the FIVB Youth World Championships July 25-August 4 in Thailand.

***
Samantha Pethokoukis, a 6-1 junior middle hitter at Fenwick, has verbally committed to play her college ball at Division I Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. Last fall, the Siena Saints won 21 matches and reached the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) finals before losing to top-seeded Fairfield.

***

Benet Academy, the two-time defending Class 4A state champion, is sponsoring volleyball camps for girls this summer.

A camp for girls in grades 2-8 will be held in the morning on Monday-Thursday, June 10-13 and in the afternoon on Monday-Thursday, July 15-18. A camp for girls in grades 8 and 9 will be held Monday and Tuesday, July 1-2, and a camp for girls in grades 9-12 will be held Monday-Thursday, July 15-18.

For more information and to register, go to www.benetvolleyball.org.

***

Caroline Wolf, a 5-6 junior libero at Benet, verbally committed to play volleyball for Wake Forest University.

"I loved the coaching staff and the team at Wake Forest and I can't wait to join their family," Wolf said. "I loved everything about the school and I can't wait to become a Demon Deacon."

Wolf was a starter on last year's Class 4A championship team, finished third in digs and second in passing rating. Benet finished No. 13 in the nation, according to Prepvolleyball.com.

"Caroline plays with a high level of energy that is contagious to her teammates," Benet coach Brad Baker said. "She is a tireless worker who has set high goals for herself and continues to work hard to achieve them. Her passion for the sport of volleyball is seen in her play and this passion is what is going to continue her on to greatness."

***

Zion-Benton's girls varsity volleyball team is looking for a tournament for the fall 2013 season. The Zee-Bees are committed to tournaments on September 6-7, October 12 and October 25-26, but are available on any other weekend during the season.

Anyone looking for a team can contact Jake Carlson, Zion-Benton varsity girls and boys volleyball coach, at (847) 731-9553 or carlsonj@zbths.org.

***

In case you missed it last week, here is a day-by-day schedule of every state tournament match in the Chicago area. The schedule assumes that the top seeds will win every match:

Monday, May 20

Lockport vs. Plainfield South at Joliet Central, 5:30 p.m.
Plainfield Central vs. Joliet Central at Joliet Central, 6:30 p.m.
Joliet Catholic vs. Joliet West at Joliet Central, 7:30 p.m.
Bolingbrook vs. Oswego East at Bolingbrook, 5:30 p.m.
Plainfield North vs. Romeoville at Bolingbrook, 6:30 p.m.
Oswego vs. Lemont at Bolingbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Oak Forest vs. Bridgeview (Universal) at Brother Rice, 6:30 p.m.
Oak Lawn v. Thornton Fractional North at Brother Rice, 7:30 p.m.
Homewood-Flossmoor vs. Marian Catholic at Marian Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
Shepard vs. Illiana Christian at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln-Way West vs. Corliss at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30 p.m.
Eisenhower vs. Ag Science at Sandburg, 6:30 p.m.
Andrew vs. Washington at Sandburg, 7:30 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. St. Gregory at Senn, 6:30 p.m.
Wheeling vs. Senn at Senn, 7:30 p.m.
Maine West vs. Amundsen at Loyola, 6:30 p.m.
Niles North vs. Northfield Christian at Loyola, 7:30 p.m.
Von Steuben vs. Taft at Maine South, 7:00 p.m.
Maine East vs. Northside Prep at Hersey, 6:30 p.m.
Evanston vs. Chicago Northtown at Hersey, 7:30 p.m.
Alcott vs. Clemente at St. Patrick, 6:30 p.m.
Schurz vs. Jones at St. Patrick, 7:30 p.m.
Prosser vs. Holy Trinity at Westinghouse, 7:00 p.m.
Steinmetz vs. Gordon Tech at Gordon Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park vs. Raby at Gordon Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Ogden vs. Foreman at Latin, 6:30 p.m.
North Grand vs. Lake View at Latin, 7:30 p.m.
Naperville Central vs. West Aurora at Downers Grove South, 4:30 p.m.
Willowbrook vs. IMSA at Downers Grove South, 5:30 p.m.
Waubonsie Valley vs. Proviso West at Waubonsie Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Wheaton Warrenville South vs. Proviso East at Waubonsie Valley, 7:00 p.m.
Hinsdale South vs. Nazareth at Benet, 6:30 p.m.
Benet vs. St. Joseph at Benet, 7:30 p.m.
Riverside-Brookfield vs. Hinsdale Central at Glenbard East, 5:30 p.m.
Metea Valley vs. Montini at Glenbard East, 6:30 p.m.
Libertyville vs. Waukegan at Highland Park, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Forest vs. Chicagoland Jewish at Vernon Hills, 5:30 p.m.
Lakes vs. North Chicago at Vernon Hills, 6:30 p.m.
Lake Zurich vs. Antioch at Lake Zurich, 6:30 p.m.
Zion-Benton vs. Cristo-Rey St. Martin at Lake Zurich, 7:30 p.m.
Fremd vs. Grant at Warren, 6:30 p.m.
Carmel vs. Rockford Lutheran at Warren, 7:30 p.m.
Little Village vs. Gage Park at Little Village, 6:00 p.m.
Cristo Rey vs. Farragut at Cristo Rey, 7:00 p.m.
Curie vs. Hyde Park at Reavis, 5:30 p.m.
Bronzeville Military Academy vs. Hubbard at Fenwick, 7:00 p.m.
Hoffman Estates vs. Streamwood at Geneva, 7:00 p.m.
York vs. Larkin at Rolling Meadows, 6:30 p.m.
St. Charles East vs. Conant at Rolling Meadows, 7:30 p.m.
Schaumburg vs. St. Edward at South Elgin, 6:30 p.m.
South Elgin vs. Fenton at South Elgin, 7:30 p.m.
Bartlett vs. Elgin at Lake Park, 6:30 p.m.
West Chicago vs. Westminster Christian at Lake Park, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21

Minooka vs. Lockport at Joliet Central, 6:30 p.m.
Plainfield Central vs. Joliet Catholic at Joliet Central, 7:30 p.m.
Plainfield East vs. Bolingbrook at Bolingbrook, 5:30 p.m.
Plainfield North vs. Oswego at Bolingbrook, 6:30 p.m.
Brother Rice vs. Oak Forest at Brother Rice, 4:30 p.m.
Marist vs. Oak Lawn at Brother Rice, 5:30 p.m.
Stagg vs. Providence at Marian Catholic, 4:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way East vs. Homewood-Flossmoor at Marian Catholic, 5:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way North vs. Shepard at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln-Way Central vs. Lincoln-Way West at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sandburg vs. Eisenhower at Sandburg, 6:30 p.m.
Richards vs. Andrew at Sandburg, 7:30 p.m.
Glenbrook South vs. Notre Dame at Senn, 6:30 p.m.
Niles West vs. Wheeling at Senn, 7:30 p.m.
Loyola vs. Maine West at Loyola, 6:30 p.m.
St. Viator vs. Niles North at Loyola, 7:30 p.m.
New Trier vs. Von Steuben at Maine South, 6:30 p.m.
Maine South vs. Prospect at Maine South, 7:30 p.m.
Glenbrook North vs. Maine East at Hersey, 6:30 p.m.
Hersey vs. Evanston at Hersey, 7:30 p.m.
St. Patrick vs. Alcott at St. Patrick, 4:30 p.m.
St. Ignatius vs. Schurz at St. Patrick, 5:30 p.m.
Payton vs. Prosser at Westinghouse, 6:30 p.m.
Leyden vs. Westinghouse at Westinghouse, 7:30 p.m.
Whitney Young vs. Steinmetz at Gordon Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Lane vs. Lincoln Park at Gordon Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Kelvyn Park vs. Ogden at Latin, 6:30 p.m.
Latin vs. North Grand at Latin, 7:30 p.m.
Glenbard West vs. Willowbrook at Downers Grove South, 6:00 p.m.
Downers Grove South vs. Naperville Central at Downers Grove South, 7:00 p.m.
St. Francis vs. Waubonsie Valley at Waubonsie Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Downers Grove North vs. WW South at Waubonsie Valley, 7:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Hinsdale South at Benet, 6:30 p.m.
Naperville North vs. Benet at Benet, 7:30 p.m.
Neuqua Valley vs. Riverside-Brookfield at Glenbard East, 6:30 p.m.
Glenbard East vs. Metea Valley at Glenbard East, 6:30 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Libertyville at Highland Park, 6:30 p.m.
Buffalo Grove vs. Highland Park at Highland Park, 7:30 p.m.
Vernon Hills vs. Lake Forest at Vernon Hills, 5:30 p.m.
Palatine vs. Lakes at Vernon Hills, 6:30 p.m.
Deerfield vs. Lake Zurich at Lake Zurich, 6:30 p.m.
Mundelein vs. Zion-Benton at Lake Zurich, 7:30 p.m.
Barrington vs. Fremd at Warren, 6:30 p.m.
Warren vs. Carmel at Warren, 7:30 p.m.
St. Rita vs. Little Village at Little Village, 5:30 p.m.
DeLaSalle vs. Hancock at Little Village, 6:30 p.m.
Oak Park vs. Cristo Rey at Cristo Rey, 6:30 p.m.
Argo vs. St. Laurence at Cristo Rey, 7:30 p.m.
Morton vs. Curie at Reavis, 5:30 p.m.
Reavis vs. Simeon at Reavis, 6:30 p.m.
Mt. Carmel vs. Bronzeville at Fenwick, 6:30 p.m.
Fenwick vs. Lindblom at Fenwick, 7:30 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Hoffman Estates at Geneva, 6:30 p.m.
Geneva vs. Addison Trail at Geneva, 7:30 p.m.
Rolling Meadows vs. York at Rolling Meadows, 6:30 p.m.
Wheaton Academy vs. St. Charles East at Rolling Meadows, 7:30 p.m.
Wheaton North vs. Schaumburg at South Elgin, 6:30 p.m.
Glenbard North vs. South Elgin at South Elgin, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Park vs. Bartlett at Lake Park, 6:30 p.m.
Elk Grove vs. West Chicago at Lake Park, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 22

Minooka vs. Plainfield Central at Joliet Central, 7:00 p.m.
Plainfield East vs. Plainfield North at Bolingbrook, 6:00 p.m.
Brother Rice vs. Marist at Brother Rice, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way East vs. Stagg at Marian Catholic, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way North vs. Lincoln-Way Central at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:00 p.m.
Sandburg vs. Richards at Sandburg, 7:00 p.m.
Glenbrook South vs. Niles West at Senn, 7:00 p.m.
Loyola vs. St. Viator at Loyola, 7:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Maine South at Maine South, 7:00 p.m.
Glenbrook North vs. Hersey at Hersey, 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick vs. St. Ignatius at St. Patrick, 7:00 p.m.
Payton vs. Leyden at Westinghouse, 7:00 p.m.
Whitney Young vs. Lane at Gordon Tech, 7:00 p.m.
Kelvyn Park vs. Latin at Latin, 7:00 p.m.
Glenbard West vs. Downers Grove South at Downers Grove South, 6:00 p.m.
St. Francis vs. Downers Grove North at Waubonsie Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Naperville North at Benet, 7:00 p.m.
Neuqua Valley vs. Glenbard East at Glenbard East, 6:00 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Buffalo Grove at Highland Park, 7:00 p.m.
Vernon Hills vs. Palatine at Vernon Hills, 6:00 p.m.
Deerfield vs. Mundelein at Lake Zurich, 7:00 p.m.
Barrington vs. Warren at Warren, 7:00 p.m.
St. Rita vs. DeLaSalle at Little Village, 6:00 p.m.
Oak Park vs. Argo at Cristo Rey, 7:00 p.m.
Morton vs. Reavis at Reavis, 6:00 p.m.
Mt. Carmel vs. Fenwick at Fenwick, 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Geneva at Geneva, 7:00 p.m.
Rolling Meadows vs. Wheaton Academy at Rolling Meadows, 7:00 p.m.
Wheaton North vs. Glenbard North at South Elgin, 7:00 p.m.
Lake Park vs. Elk Grove at Lake Park, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 24

Minooka vs. Plainfield East at O'Fallon, 7:30 p.m.
Brother Rice vs. Lincoln-Way East at Andrew, 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way North vs. Sandburg at Andrew, 7:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Glenbrook South at Niles West, 5:00 p.m.
Glenbrook North vs. Loyola at Niles West, 6:30 p.m.
Payton vs. Kelvyn Park at Whitney Young, 6:30 p.m.
Whitney Young vs. St. Patrick at Whitney Young, 7:30 p.m.
Lyons vs. Glenbard West at Proviso West, 6:30 p.m.
Neuqua Valley vs. St. Francis at Proviso West, 7:30 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Vernon Hills at Antioch, 6:30 p.m.
Deerfield vs. Barrington at Antioch, 7:30 p.m.
Oak Park vs. Morton at St. Rita, 6:30 p.m.
St. Rita vs. Mt. Carmel at St. Rita, 7:30 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Wheaton North at Bartlett, 6:30 p.m.
Lake Park vs. Rolling Meadows at Bartlett, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 28

Minooka vs. O'Fallon at O'Fallon, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way East vs. Lincoln-Way North at Andrew, 6:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Glenbrook North at Niles West, 6:00 p.m.
Payton vs. Whitney Young at Whitney Young, 7:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Neuqua Valley at Proviso West, 7:00 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Deerfield at Antioch, 7:00 p.m.
Oak Park vs. St. Rita at St. Rita, 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Lake Park at Bartlett, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 31 (at Hoffman Estates)

Minooka vs. Lincoln-Way East, 1:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Payton, 2:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Stevenson, 5:00 p.m.
Oak Park vs. St. Charles North, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 (at Hoffman Estates)

Semifinal, 10:00 a.m.
Semifinal, 11:00 a.m.
Third-place, 4:00 p.m.
Championship, 5:15 p.m.

Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier celebrates his 500th career win with his children at the Richards tournament. Wife Jennifer was behind the camera, of course.

Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier won his 500th career match when the Tigers defeated St. Laurence 25-15, 25-9 at the Richards tournament Friday. He is the second coach in Illinois to reach 500 wins (Brother Rice coach Paul Ickes got his 500th earlier this season).

Schreier has one record that may never be broken - seven state championships.

***

Vernon Hills (27-6) went 4-1 Saturday to win its sixth Vernon Hills Cougar Classic championship in seven years.

Vernon Hills bounced back from a loss in its third pool play match Saturday to defeat Glenbard West 25-23, 25-15 in the semifinals and Highland Park 25-21, 25-16 in the title match.

"It was disappointing that we lost our focus so badly in the third pool play match in the morning," Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry said. "The afternoon really belonged to Mike Heinz (19 kills in the semifinal and championship). His passing was spectacular, too, getting us in system all afternoon."

Vernon Hills also got 21 blocks from Lem Turner Saturday, Max Spiglanin added 38 kills and 35 digs, and Dylan DeBoer had a 9-point service run on Game 1 against Highland Park.

Glenbrook South defeated Glenbard West 25-22, 25-14 for third place; St. Patrick defeated West Chicago for fifth; and Illiana Christian defeated Whitney Young 24-26, 26-24, 25-21 for seventh place.

***

Rolling Meadows (26-6) tuned up for its appearance in the Mid-Suburban League championship match at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday by going 5-0 to win the Fremd invitational Saturday.

Despite resting two starters, Rolling Meadows beat West Aurora 22-25, 25-21, 15-12; South Elgin 25-11, 25-13; Fremd 19-15, 25-20, 15-12; York 25-20, 18-25, 15-13 and Elk Grove 10-25, 27-25, 15-13 in the championship match.

"In the championship match, we lost the first set badly 10-25," Rolling Meadows coach Tim Piatek said. "In the second set, we were down 11-19 after our second timeout. We rallied back to win that set and squeeze it out in the third set. Our younger players and bench really stepped up today to make it a great day."

Matt Kuzniar led Rolling Meadows on the day with 36 kills, Tim Ellis added 35 kills and 14 blocks, and David Sobkowicz had 21 kills and 14 blocks. Peter Nickle had 70 digs.

***

Six-foot-7 junior outside hitter David Wieczorek had 21 kills to lead Loyola (24-3) to an 18-25, 25-23, 25-16 victory over Deerfield as the Ramblers won the Evanston Spring Fling tournament on Saturday.

Loyola defeated Evanston 25-17, 25-18 in the semifinals behind Wieczorek's nine kills and a combined 24 assists by Jack Talaga and James McCabe. Collin Merk added 13 digs in the championship match.

***

Nominations are now open for the first Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Association (IHSVCA) and Illinois Center for Broadcasting Boys All-Star Volleyball Game on Monday, June 3 at Brother Rice High School in Chicago.

Head coaches making nominations for senior players only (IHSA by-law) must be members of the IHSVCA. Coaches are asked to submit the player's name and statistics to Bill Schreier at Wheaton-Warrenville South at william.schreier@cusd200.org by the end of the school day Friday, May 17.

For more information on the game, contact Brother Paul Ickes at Brother Rice at pickes@brrice.org or go to www.leaguelineup.com/ihsvca.

***

Making your state tournament plans?

Here is a day-by-day schedule of every match in the Chicago area. The schedule assumes that the top seeds will win every match (of course, we know that doesn't ALWAYS happen). But if the state tournament plays out as seeded, this is how it will look:

Monday, May 20

Lockport vs. Plainfield South at Joliet Central, 5:30 p.m.
Plainfield Central vs. Joliet Central at Joliet Central, 6:30 p.m.
Joliet Catholic vs. Joliet West at Joliet Central, 7:30 p.m.
Bolingbrook vs. Oswego East at Bolingbrook, 5:30 p.m.
Plainfield North vs. Romeoville at Bolingbrook, 6:30 p.m.
Oswego vs. Lemont at Bolingbrook, 7:30 p.m.
Oak Forest vs. Bridgeview (Universal) at Brother Rice, 6:30 p.m.
Oak Lawn v. Thornton Fractional North at Brother Rice, 7:30 p.m.
Homewood-Flossmoor vs. Marian Catholic at Marian Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
Shepard vs. Illiana Christian at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln-Way West vs. Corliss at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30 p.m.
Eisenhower vs. Ag Science at Sandburg, 6:30 p.m.
Andrew vs. Washington at Sandburg, 7:30 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. St. Gregory at Senn, 6:30 p.m.
Wheeling vs. Senn at Senn, 7:30 p.m.
Maine West vs. Amundsen at Loyola, 6:30 p.m.
Niles North vs. Northfield Christian at Loyola, 7:30 p.m.
Von Steuben vs. Taft at Maine South, 7:00 p.m.
Maine East vs. Northside Prep at Hersey, 6:30 p.m.
Evanston vs. Chicago Northtown at Hersey, 7:30 p.m.
Alcott vs. Clemente at St. Patrick, 6:30 p.m.
Schurz vs. Jones at St. Patrick, 7:30 p.m.
Prosser vs. Holy Trinity at Westinghouse, 7:00 p.m.
Steinmetz vs. Gordon Tech at Gordon Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park vs. Raby at Gordon Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Ogden vs. Foreman at Latin, 6:30 p.m.
North Grand vs. Lake View at Latin, 7:30 p.m.
Naperville Central vs. West Aurora at Downers Grove South, 4:30 p.m.
Willowbrook vs. IMSA at Downers Grove South, 5:30 p.m.
Waubonsie Valley vs. Proviso West at Waubonsie Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Wheaton Warrenville South vs. Proviso East at Waubonsie Valley, 7:00 p.m.
Hinsdale South vs. Nazareth at Benet, 6:30 p.m.
Benet vs. St. Joseph at Benet, 7:30 p.m.
Riverside-Brookfield vs. Hinsdale Central at Glenbard East, 5:30 p.m.
Metea Valley vs. Montini at Glenbard East, 6:30 p.m.
Libertyville vs. Waukegan at Highland Park, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Forest vs. Chicagoland Jewish at Vernon Hills, 5:30 p.m.
Lakes vs. North Chicago at Vernon Hills, 6:30 p.m.
Lake Zurich vs. Antioch at Lake Zurich, 6:30 p.m.
Zion-Benton vs. Cristo-Rey St. Martin at Lake Zurich, 7:30 p.m.
Fremd vs. Grant at Warren, 6:30 p.m.
Carmel vs. Rockford Lutheran at Warren, 7:30 p.m.
Little Village vs. Gage Park at Little Village, 6:00 p.m.
Cristo Rey vs. Farragut at Cristo Rey, 7:00 p.m.
Curie vs. Hyde Park at Reavis, 5:30 p.m.
Bronzeville Military Academy vs. Hubbard at Fenwick, 7:00 p.m.
Hoffman Estates vs. Streamwood at Geneva, 7:00 p.m.
York vs. Larkin at Rolling Meadows, 6:30 p.m.
St. Charles East vs. Conant at Rolling Meadows, 7:30 p.m.
Schaumburg vs. St. Edward at South Elgin, 6:30 p.m.
South Elgin vs. Fenton at South Elgin, 7:30 p.m.
Bartlett vs. Elgin at Lake Park, 6:30 p.m.
West Chicago vs. Westminster Christian at Lake Park, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21

Minooka vs. Lockport at Joliet Central, 6:30 p.m.
Plainfield Central vs. Joliet Catholic at Joliet Central, 7:30 p.m.
Plainfield East vs. Bolingbrook at Bolingbrook, 5:30 p.m.
Plainfield North vs. Oswego at Bolingbrook, 6:30 p.m.
Brother Rice vs. Oak Forest at Brother Rice, 4:30 p.m.
Marist vs. Oak Lawn at Brother Rice, 5:30 p.m.
Stagg vs. Providence at Marian Catholic, 4:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way East vs. Homewood-Flossmoor at Marian Catholic, 5:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way North vs. Shepard at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln-Way Central vs. Lincoln-Way West at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sandburg vs. Eisenhower at Sandburg, 6:30 p.m.
Richards vs. Andrew at Sandburg, 7:30 p.m.
Glenbrook South vs. Notre Dame at Senn, 6:30 p.m.
Niles West vs. Wheeling at Senn, 7:30 p.m.
Loyola vs. Maine West at Loyola, 6:30 p.m.
St. Viator vs. Niles North at Loyola, 7:30 p.m.
New Trier vs. Von Steuben at Maine South, 6:30 p.m.
Maine South vs. Prospect at Maine South, 7:30 p.m.
Glenbrook North vs. Maine East at Hersey, 6:30 p.m.
Hersey vs. Evanston at Hersey, 7:30 p.m.
St. Patrick vs. Alcott at St. Patrick, 4:30 p.m.
St. Ignatius vs. Schurz at St. Patrick, 5:30 p.m.
Payton vs. Prosser at Westinghouse, 6:30 p.m.
Leyden vs. Westinghouse at Westinghouse, 7:30 p.m.
Whitney Young vs. Steinmetz at Gordon Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Lane vs. Lincoln Park at Gordon Tech, 7:30 p.m.
Kelvyn Park vs. Ogden at Latin, 6:30 p.m.
Latin vs. North Grand at Latin, 7:30 p.m.
Glenbard West vs. Willowbrook at Downers Grove South, 6:00 p.m.
Downers Grove South vs. Naperville Central at Downers Grove South, 7:00 p.m.
St. Francis vs. Waubonsie Valley at Waubonsie Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Downers Grove North vs. WW South at Waubonsie Valley, 7:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Hinsdale South at Benet, 6:30 p.m.
Naperville North vs. Benet at Benet, 7:30 p.m.
Neuqua Valley vs. Riverside-Brookfield at Glenbard East, 6:30 p.m.
Glenbard East vs. Metea Valley at Glenbard East, 6:30 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Libertyville at Highland Park, 6:30 p.m.
Buffalo Grove vs. Highland Park at Highland Park, 7:30 p.m.
Vernon Hills vs. Lake Forest at Vernon Hills, 5:30 p.m.
Palatine vs. Lakes at Vernon Hills, 6:30 p.m.
Deerfield vs. Lake Zurich at Lake Zurich, 6:30 p.m.
Mundelein vs. Zion-Benton at Lake Zurich, 7:30 p.m.
Barrington vs. Fremd at Warren, 6:30 p.m.
Warren vs. Carmel at Warren, 7:30 p.m.
St. Rita vs. Little Village at Little Village, 5:30 p.m.
DeLaSalle vs. Hancock at Little Village, 6:30 p.m.
Oak Park vs. Cristo Rey at Cristo Rey, 6:30 p.m.
Argo vs. St. Laurence at Cristo Rey, 7:30 p.m.
Morton vs. Curie at Reavis, 5:30 p.m.
Reavis vs. Simeon at Reavis, 6:30 p.m.
Mt. Carmel vs. Bronzeville at Fenwick, 6:30 p.m.
Fenwick vs. Lindblom at Fenwick, 7:30 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Hoffman Estates at Geneva, 6:30 p.m.
Geneva vs. Addison Trail at Geneva, 7:30 p.m.
Rolling Meadows vs. York at Rolling Meadows, 6:30 p.m.
Wheaton Academy vs. St. Charles East at Rolling Meadows, 7:30 p.m.
Wheaton North vs. Schaumburg at South Elgin, 6:30 p.m.
Glenbard North vs. South Elgin at South Elgin, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Park vs. Bartlett at Lake Park, 6:30 p.m.
Elk Grove vs. West Chicago at Lake Park, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 22

Minooka vs. Plainfield Central at Joliet Central, 7:00 p.m.
Plainfield East vs. Plainfield North at Bolingbrook, 6:00 p.m.
Brother Rice vs. Marist at Brother Rice, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way East vs. Stagg at Marian Catholic, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way North vs. Lincoln-Way Central at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:00 p.m.
Sandburg vs. Richards at Sandburg, 7:00 p.m.
Glenbrook South vs. Niles West at Senn, 7:00 p.m.
Loyola vs. St. Viator at Loyola, 7:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Maine South at Maine South, 7:00 p.m.
Glenbrook North vs. Hersey at Hersey, 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick vs. St. Ignatius at St. Patrick, 7:00 p.m.
Payton vs. Leyden at Westinghouse, 7:00 p.m.
Whitney Young vs. Lane at Gordon Tech, 7:00 p.m.
Kelvyn Park vs. Latin at Latin, 7:00 p.m.
Glenbard West vs. Downers Grove South at Downers Grove South, 6:00 p.m.
St. Francis vs. Downers Grove North at Waubonsie Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Naperville North at Benet, 7:00 p.m.
Neuqua Valley vs. Glenbard East at Glenbard East, 6:00 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Buffalo Grove at Highland Park, 7:00 p.m.
Vernon Hills vs. Palatine at Vernon Hills, 6:00 p.m.
Deerfield vs. Mundelein at Lake Zurich, 7:00 p.m.
Barrington vs. Warren at Warren, 7:00 p.m.
St. Rita vs. DeLaSalle at Little Village, 6:00 p.m.
Oak Park vs. Argo at Cristo Rey, 7:00 p.m.
Morton vs. Reavis at Reavis, 6:00 p.m.
Mt. Carmel vs. Fenwick at Fenwick, 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Geneva at Geneva, 7:00 p.m.
Rolling Meadows vs. Wheaton Academy at Rolling Meadows, 7:00 p.m.
Wheaton North vs. Glenbard North at South Elgin, 7:00 p.m.
Lake Park vs. Elk Grove at Lake Park, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 24

Minooka vs. Plainfield East at O'Fallon, 7:30 p.m.
Brother Rice vs. Lincoln-Way East at Andrew, 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way North vs. Sandburg at Andrew, 7:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Glenbrook South at Niles West, 5:00 p.m.
Glenbrook North vs. Loyola at Niles West, 6:30 p.m.
Payton vs. Kelvyn Park at Whitney Young, 6:30 p.m.
Whitney Young vs. St. Patrick at Whitney Young, 7:30 p.m.
Lyons vs. Glenbard West at Proviso West, 6:30 p.m.
Neuqua Valley vs. St. Francis at Proviso West, 7:30 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Vernon Hills at Antioch, 6:30 p.m.
Deerfield vs. Barrington at Antioch, 7:30 p.m.
Oak Park vs. Morton at St. Rita, 6:30 p.m.
St. Rita vs. Mt. Carmel at St. Rita, 7:30 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Wheaton North at Bartlett, 6:30 p.m.
Lake Park vs. Rolling Meadows at Bartlett, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 28

Minooka vs. O'Fallon at O'Fallon, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Way East vs. Lincoln-Way North at Andrew, 6:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Glenbrook North at Niles West, 6:00 p.m.
Payton vs. Whitney Young at Whitney Young, 7:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Neuqua Valley at Proviso West, 7:00 p.m.
Stevenson vs. Deerfield at Antioch, 7:00 p.m.
Oak Park vs. St. Rita at St. Rita, 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles North vs. Lake Park at Bartlett, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 31 (at Hoffman Estates)

Minooka vs. Lincoln-Way East, 1:00 p.m.
New Trier vs. Payton, 2:00 p.m.
Lyons vs. Stevenson, 5:00 p.m.
Oak Park vs. St. Charles North, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 (at Hoffman Estates)

Semifinal, 10:00 a.m.
Semifinal, 11:00 a.m.
Third-place, 4:00 p.m.
Championship, 5:15 p.m.

Minooka's 6-foot-6 middle hitter Maalik Walker was among the players named to the all-tournament team at Lincoln-Way East.

Everything you need to know about the inequities of the boys state volleyball tournament were on display last Thursday in Aurora.

The Mustangs of Morton were playing the Mustangs of Metea Valley in a nonconference match. Behind the 16-kill performance of Massachusetts Institute of Technology-bound 6-foot-4 senior Martin Krasuski, the host Mustangs defeated the visitors 25-17, 25-23.

The hosts improved to 20-6 with the win, while Morton fell to 10-13.

Now guess which team has the higher seed in its sectional?

If you guessed Morton, you're right.

Morton is the fourth seed in the St. Rita sectional, where barely-.500 Oak Park-River Forest is No. 1, St. Rita is second and Mt. Carmel is third.

Meanwhile, Metea Valley is the 10th seed at Proviso West, where the top nine seeds are (in order) Lyons, Neuqua Valley, St. Francis, Glenbard West, Downers Grove South, Downers Grove North, Glenbard East, Naperville North and Benet.

Even Morton coach Tony Hornilla is critical of the injustice.

"To be honest, there's teams that that should be headed down there that don't get to go there every year," he said. "I think the state really needs to look at going to what they did with girls -- two classes, maybe even four classes. They sure can't say money is the issue.

"Seeing teams perennially be so strong and then have to go through the toughest road to get there and not even get to the sectional, it's not right," he added. "But that's the way the state does things and we have to deal with it.

"Just as a volleyball coach and as a volleyball enthusiast, I wish we had more opportunities for more schools," Hornilla said.

Of course, Hornilla admits his teams benefitted from the disparity in sectional assignments in the past.

"We've been saying this for a lot of years," Hornilla said. "There are teams that are definitely better than us and they don't get to go. But for years before they rearranged the sectionals five years ago, for years we were going out to the meatgrinder in the western suburbs and Oak Park was going in the city.

"We were closer to the city by far," Hornilla added. "That absolutely made no sense. Somebody must have had some influence."

Too bad they can't use that influence to correct the injustices wrought by the state when it comes to sectional assignments.

***

Nowhere is the inequity in sectional assignments more blatant than in the south suburbs, where Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North, Sandburg and Brother Rice are the top four seeds in the Andrew sectional.

Although the Phoenix did not meet the hosts in the finals of the Lincoln-Way East tournament Saturday, North's big win over Minooka might be the lift the Phoenix need heading into state play, especially with the lineup changes they were forced to employ.

"This is good for the guys," said North coach Matt Lawrence, who moved Jake Walenga to libero and used libero Zach Blasgen as an outside hitter. "I think that's just a testament to how much these guys like playing volleyball.

"Zach is always asking to play outside, so this opportunity arose for him and he did what we needed him to do," the coach added. "He passed well, played great defense, served well and got some kills every now and then."

Lincoln-Way North also got help from other players like Josh Kim, who can do a little of everything although he is not a year-round volleyball player.

"We had a JV tournament and asked him to set," Lawrence said. "He's just an all-around kid. He's supersmart. He won the talent show at our school. H does so many things well.

"We just got a bunch of good kids on the team," the coach added. "They're smart, they're fun to coach and whatever lineup we go with, they're going to give their best effort."

***

Quote of the week: "The last time I played libero, seriously, was never. I play it for club as a joke sometimes, but otherwise no. I absolutely loved it though. I could just focus on passing and playing defense. It's a lot less stressful than playing outside. Your more involved in the game that way (as a hitter), but I think my passing helped us stay in the game. I'm happy we could do without my hitting." - Lincoln-Way North's 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter Jake Walenga, who played libero at the Lincoln-Way East tournament to rest his knees for the state tournament.

***

Named to the all-tournament team at Glenbrook North were setter Jonah May (Stevenson), setter Ryan Opitz (Vernon Hills), libero Cody Bolan (Glenbrook North), middle hitter Zach Lillig (Glenbrook North), opposite hitter Max Spiglanin (Vernon Hills) and opposite hitter Charlie Spry (Barrington).

Named to the all-tournament team at Lincoln-Way East were middle hitter Nick Timreck (Downers Grove South), setter Quin Krisik (Lake Park), outside hitter Austin Overby (Lincoln-Way Central), setter Austin Royer (Lincoln-Way East), setter Marko Kostich (Lyons) and middle hitter Aidan Spangler (Lyons).

Also, outside hitter Nate Wolf (Maine South), middle hitter Matt Munro (Marist), setter Phil Hannon (Minooka), middle hitter Maalik Walker (Minooka), setter Gert Lisha (Naperville North), middle hitter John Hodul (Sandburg), outside hitter Kamil Barnes (Stagg) and outside hitter Mike Gajos (New Trier).

Tournament champion Lincoln-Way North was represented by MVP Brad McFarland and libero Jake Walenga.

***

Neuqua Valley setter Alex Coyne will play volleyball next year at Division III Dominican University in River Forest. Dominican is adding men's volleyball and the 2013-14 season will be the team's first under coach Dan Ames, owner of Naperville Volleyball Club.

Among the players expected to join Coyne at Dominican next year are Downers Grove North libero Brooks Nevrly, Neuqua Valley's Jeremy Royko, Wheaton North's Zach Sinn, West Chicago's Trevor Slonek, Downers Grove South's Nick Timreck and Wheaton Warrenville South's Greg Vlassov.

***

Rolling Meadows (21-6, 8-2) clinched the Mid-Suburban East title for the first time since 1995. The Mustangs' 26-24, 25-13 victory over Wheeling on Tuesday combined with Hersey's 25-22, 25-16 victory over Prospect left Meadows alone atop the division standings.

Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Assistant Executive Director Jim Tracey of Reavis High School presents Mike and Tina Small with the Chuck Rolinski Lifetime Achievement Award at Illinois Basketball Coaches Association annual banquet at Illinois State University on Saturday, April 27.

Former Regina Dominican basketball coach Mike Small and his wife Tina were honored with the prestigious Chuck Rolinski Lifetime Achievement Award at Illinois Basketball Coaches Association annual banquet at Illinois State University on Saturday, April 27.

"When you think of girls' basketball, you think of Mike and Tina Small, who have put such extreme selfless efforts behind the scenes to make girls' basketball in Illinois what it is today," said Bob Reczek, longtime basketball official and Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Hall of Fame member.

While coaching junior high football in 1970, Small was asked by a group of girls to start a basketball program. At that time, girls played by six-girl rules, which only allowed two girls to cross the half-court line.

In response, Mike and Tina Small founded the Girls Chuck Basketball League in 1971, which required five-person rules on both the elementary and high school levels. It quickly became the largest girls basketball league in Chicagoland and put pressure on the high schools to switch to five-person rules. The league lasted for more than 25 years.

While becoming the winningest basketball coach at Regina Dominican High School. He organized and put pressure on the IBCA to accept girls and women coaches into the organization. With the encouragement of Rolinski and the board of directors, female coaches were welcomed into the IBCA in 1985.

Mike Small was given the title of girls' chairman and Tina assumed supportive, extensive time-consuming responsibilities, including the selection of all-state teams, organizing IBCA banquet awards, and accepting Hall of Fame nominations.

"With every innovation, hard work for change, and demand for equality that Mike has pushed for over his long and successful career, Tina has been the engine that made it possible," Reczek said. "That is why they deserve the award as a team. They are a single unit that worked together to accomplish what they could have only hoped for on their own."

At the same ceremony Saturday, former Simeon star Ben Wilson was posthumously inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame.

***

The Sandburg and Providence boys volleyball teams will play at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 at Lewis University to benefit the family of the late Sandburg athletic director Bruce Scheidegger. Scheidegger, 54, died in a single-car accident on February 9 in rural Carroll County, Illinois.

Scheidegger taught and coached at Prophetstown High School, Dixon High School and Sterling High School before coming to Sandburg in 2007. He was a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Admission to the game is $5. All Proceeds will go to the Scheidegger Family.

***

Neuqua Valley senior setter Alex Coyne was named the MVP of the eighth annual Benet Invitational after leading the Wildcats to victory over St. Francis in the championship match Saturday in Lisle.

Also named to the all-tournament team were Jeremy Royko (Neuqua Valley), Robert Smith (St. Francis), Jeff Jendryk (St. Francis), Jacob Stone (Glenbard West) and Andrew Roberts (Glenbard West).

Also, Sawyer Yeazel (Benet), Mike Jurkash (Benet), Jon Chiczewski (Naperville Central), Brendan Surane (Providence), Tyler House (Waubonsie Valley and Andrew Franco (Morton).

***

What if?

The announcement of the all-tournament team at Benet Saturday was a reminder of what might have been at Waubonsie Valley this season.

Ten of the 12 players named to the all-tournament team in 2012 were seniors. The two non-seniors were sophomore outside hitter Mike Simmons and junior setter Luke Furman of Waubonsie Valley, who led the Warriors to the tournament title.

Both players have been sidelined by injuries this year.

It's always fun to speculate how the state tournament is going to look after the IHSA conducts its "rolling of the peas" for spring sports.

Can you imagine a Lincoln-Way East vs. New Trier semifinal? Or a Minooka vs. Sandburg quarterfinal? How about a St. Francis vs. Stevenson quarterfinal? Or an Oak Park vs. Wheaton North quarterfinal?

Are you thinking that perhaps the quarterfinals should be seeded? Or perhaps that the mapmakers down in Bloomington ought to rethink some of their sectional assignments? A cursory glance at some of the sectionals is proof enough that there is a shameful imbalance.

It's not like there would be a lot of travel involved, and it would certainly make for a better state tournament if Lincoln-Way East and Minooka did not have to meet in a quarterfinal. And some school is going to walk home with a trophy not because they deserve it, but because they're in the right zip code.

Here are the quarterfinal pairings (in bracket order) and the top teams from each sectional:

O'Fallon Sectional (Minooka, Joliet Catholic, Belleville East) vs. Andrew Sectional (Lincoln-Way East, Sandburg, Lincoln-Way North, Brother Rice)

Niles West Sectional (New Trier, Glenbrook North, Loyola, St. Viator) vs. Whitney Young Sectional (Payton, Whitney Young, Kelvyn Park)

Proviso West Sectional (Lyons, Neuqua Valley, St. Francis, Downers Grove South) vs. Antioch Sectional (Stevenson, Deerfield, Barrington, Vernon Hills)

St. Rita Sectional (Oak Park, Mt. Carmel, St. Rita) vs. Bartlett Sectional (Lake Park, Wheaton North, St. Charles North, Glenbard North).

***

Named to the all-tournament team at the Brother Rice Smack Attack were Nate Van Dellen (Lincoln-Way East, MVP), Cody Bolan (Glenbrook North), Ryan Paull (Brother Rice), John Hodul (Sandburg), Jake Walenga (Lincoln-Way North), Patrick Flood (St. Francis) and Evan Burnette (Buffalo Grove).

Also named to the all-tournament team were Dan O'Keefe (St. Rita), Brendan Surane (Providence), Earl Schultz (Payton), Austin Overby (Lincoln-Way Central), Andrew Roberts (Glenbard West), Craig Rosner (Marist), Bennet Brueggmann (Carmel, Ind.) and Matt Walsh (Mt. Carmel).

***

Quote of the Week: "I think our passes started getting better so we could have all three hitters running. Matt (Wascher) helped me get the ball more and that helped our outsides. I don't think we were tired. We're big rivals with Loyola, and after we beat them (in the semifinals) that actually give us more energy. It was like, 'Let's go!' That was a lot of fun." - New Trier's 6-foot-6 junior middle Jack Serrino talking about the Trevians' rally after losing the first game and falling behind 18-13 in the second against Lyons Saturday at the Mustang Invitational hosted by Downers Grove South.

***

In case you missed it, Minooka defeated Neuqua Valley 25-19, 23-25, 25-19 to win its own invitational Saturday.

***

Downers Grove North's leading hitter, 6-4 Gilius Blinstrubas, is out for a week or more with a ligament injury in his left foot. His absence really hurt the Trojans, who were the No. 1 seed at Downers South but lost to Oak Park in pool play Friday and to Downers South and Wheaton South in Silver play Saturday.

***

Need any more reasons to go to the Lincoln-Way East tournament May 2-3? The finalists from the two major tournaments last weekend will be there: Lincoln-Way East, Sandburg, Lyons and New Trier. Toss in Lincoln-Way North and it will be quite the party.

Benet and St. Francis hooked up in a thrilling three-set match Friday in Wheaton. The match was delayed by a flood in the school's auxiliary gymnasium, forcing the freshmen to play in the main gym.

Deerfield answered a lot of questions at the Lake County tournament Saturday. Despite losing to Stevenson in the finals, the Warriors took out two-time defending champion Barrington in the semifinals, rallying from a four-point deficit in the second game to win 25-23, 28-26.

"All season long, we have definitely known our offense is pretty strong," Deerfield coach Eugene Chung said, "We knew from the beginning that getting through the teams, especially really strong offensive teams, we would have to put up more of a defense against them.

"That been sort of the way we've gone," he added. "We've usually come out of the gate slow, but because of our defense we usually close out games at the end. That was something we've been really really aware of and working on."

Deerfield's defense helped the Warriors pull out a 16-25, 26-24, 15-13 win over Warren in pool play Friday night.

"That was a testimonial tour defense," Chung said. "We were pretty much done against Warren and we were able to come back from about 16-10 down in game 2 through our defense, tough serving and putting up some big blocks. We ended up winning that match."

Deerfield got contributions from a number of players at the Lake County invite, including junior outside hitter John Harlan (34 kills, four aces, five blocks), outside hitter Zach Hara (35 kills, two aces, 23 digs), Kenison Ready (19 kills, two blocks), Eli Schmidt (15 kills, 14 digs), setter Jordan Fine (101 assists, seven kills, 26 digs) and Jake Brody (two aces, 30 digs).

"The guys played hard and continue to improve," Chung said. "We still have to work on our defense and also on cutting back on our errors as we move forward. It was great to see the guys battle it out and close out a couple of tough matches over the weekend."

Deerfield, which is scheduled to play Glenbrook North on Wednesday, is the No. 3 seed at the Downers Grove South Mustang Invitational Friday and Saturday.

***

Here is the schedule for the Downers Grove South invitational:

Friday: Team 1 vs. Team 2, 5:00 p.m.; Team 1 vs. Team 3, 6:30 p.m.; Team 2 vs. Team 3, 8:00 p.m.

Seeds are in parentheses. Here are the pools:

At Downers South
Pool E: 1. Downers South (5), 2. Naperville North (12), 3. Hinsdale South (20); Pool D: 1. Lyons Township (4), 2. Stagg (13), 3. Joliet Central (21); Pool B: 1. Barrington (2), 2. Lake Park (15), 3. Maine West (23); Pool F: 1. New Trier (6), 2. Wheaton Warrenville South (11), 3. Evanston (19).

At Lemont

Pool A: 1. Downers Grove North (1), 2. Oak Park-River Forest (16), 3. Lemont (24); Pool H: 1. Willowbrook (8), 2. Glenbard East (9), 3. Oak Lawn (17).

At Niles West

Pool G: 1. Niles West (7), 2. Loyola (10), 3. Maine South (18); Pool C: 1. Deerfield (3), 2. Glenbrook South (14); 3. Niles North (22).

The quarterfinals of the Gold division start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday in the main and little gymnasiums, while the Silver and Bronze divisions are played in the fieldhouse.

***

Here is the schedule for the Brother Rice Smack Attack tournament:

Friday: Team 1 vs. Team 3, 5:00 p.m.; Team 2 vs. Team 3, 6:00 p.m.; Team 1 vs. Team 2, 7:00 p.m.

Here are the pools:

At Brother Rice
Pool A: 1. Glenbrook North, 2. St. Rita, 3. Brother Rice JV; Pool F: 1. Brother Rice, 2. Glenbard West, 3. St. Patrick.

At St. Xavier University

Pool B: 1. Lincoln-Way East, 2. Carmel (Ind.), 3. Chicago Agricultural; Pool C: 1. Lincoln-Way North, 2. Providence, 3. Reavis; Pool D: 1. Sandburg, 2. Payton, 3. Plainfield East; Pool E: 1. St. Francis, 2. Lincoln-Way Central, 3. St. Ignatius.

At Marist

Pool G: 1. Buffalo Grove, 2. Marist, 3. Mt. Carmel.

The quarterfinals of the Gold division start at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Xavier University.

***

Stevenson had not won the Lake County invitational since 2009. But the bigger number for the Patriots is 2000. That's the last time they advanced to the state quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates.

"Winning the county tournament is a big deal because a lot of these teams are in our sectional and it gives you a gauge of where you're at," Stevenson coach Tim Crow said. "It tells you what teams have a higher ceiling than others, and you see different types of teams.

"It's always great to see Loyola, is nice to see and play Vernon Hills," he added. "I know they're down a couple guys. We played Deerfield who we never see regularly, so it's good. Hopefully, our ceiling is still fairly high and we can improve throughout the rest of the season."

***

Prior to its loss Tuesday at Lyons, Downers Grove North (12-1), the top seed at Downers Grove South, was coming off the tournament championship Saturday at Schaumburg.

The Trojans needed to go three games twice to win the Schaumburg tournament. The Trojans defeated St. Charles East 23-25, 25-20, 25-22 in the semifinals, then rallied to beat Palatine 20-25, 25-19, 25-16 in the championship match.

St. Charles East defeated Schaumburg 25-23, 25-22 for third place, and Fremd beat Hinsdale Central 25-17, 23-19 for fifth.

So when is 4-3 better than 5-2?

When you're stuck in Pool D at the Springfest boys volleyball tournament at Glenbard East.

Glenbard North and previously unbeaten Glenbard West and St. Francis all found themselves in Pool D at Saturday's Springfest tournament. Seedings are based on the previous year's finish (oddly, all three could have ended up in the same pool next year, but that story comes later).

As fate would have it, Glenbard West beat Glenbard North 27-25, 26-24, Glenbard North beat St. Francis 22-25, 25-12. 15-10, and St. Francis beat Glenbard West, 15-25, 25-15, 16-14, rallying from a 14-12 deficit in Game 3 after blowing a 12-8 lead.

All three teams finished with a 2-1 record in pool play. At many tournaments, the first tiebreaker among tied teams in a pool is the number of games won and the second is point differential. Glenbard West and St. Francis were 5-2. Glenbard North finished 4-3.

However, at Springfest, the first tiebreaker is point differential. That gave first place in the pool to Glenbard North, which had a 42-point differential after amassing 31 points in a 25-9, 25-10 whipping of Elgin Larkin, beating St. Francis by 15 and losing to Glenbard West by four.

Glenbard West's point differential was 33 (built primarily on a 25-7, 25-12 win over Larkin), and St. Francis' was 12.

So despite winning more games than Glenbard North, Glenbard West was relegated to the Silver bracket (where the Toppers lost to Benet 25-21, 25-22 in the fifth-place match. Benet had lost in pool play to eventual champion Neuqua Valley) and St. Francis was sent to the Bronze.

The situation raised an important ethical question. Since the number of games won did not matter, Glenbard West would have been better served tanking one of its two games against Glenbard North and going to a third game, where it could have built up its point differential.

After all, by beating the Panthers in two games by a total of four points, the Hilltoppers ultimately hurt their chances of winning the pool. Had they lost a game by two points, they could have played a third, tried to win by at least nine points, and overcome the point differential.

It's complicated, but here is how it works:

Glenbard North's point differential was 42 after losing both games to Glenbard West by two points. Had the Panthers won a game against Glenbard West by two instead of losing, their point differential would have been 46 heading into Game 3. Glenbard West would have been sitting at 29 instead of 33.

To make up the 17 point difference (46-29=17), Glenbard West would have to win 15-6 in Game 3 (the third game in pool play was played to only 15). That would give them nine more points (29+9=38) and taken nine points away from Glenbard North (46-9=37).

That would have given first place in the pool to Glenbard West, 38-37. Of course, how could anyone have predicted the need to play the math game since the teams met in the second match of the day?

Glenbard West thought it was doing the best thing for itself by winning in two games. How wrong the Toppers were. Of course, the entire debate would be moot had Glenbard West held on to beat St. Francis.

So how could all three teams have found themselves in the same pool next year?

Glenbard North finished fourth, losing in the championship semifinals to Downers Grove South and in the third-place game to Glenbard East. Glenbard West finished sixth, losing to Benet in the fifth-place game. St. Francis finished 11th, beating West Aurora in its finale.

Had Glenbard West beat Benet and St. Francis lost to West Aurora, the three teams would have finished fourth, fifth and 12th and found themselves in the same pool in 2014.

Accountants, calculators and Tylenol® would have been mandatory.

And unless the tournament rules are changed to make the first tiebreaker in a pool the number of games won instead of point differential, they might be anyway.

Jeff Jendryk (left) and St. Francis will be among the teams vying for the title at this weekend's Springfest hosted by Glenbard East.

Brian O'Keefe, the 6-foot-3 outside hitter from Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic champion Glenbrook North, was named the tournament's most valuable player in balloting by the participating coaches.

Also named to the all-tournament team were: Stagg outside hitter Kamil Barnas; Glenbrook North libero Cody Bolan; Sandburg sophomore outside hitter Paul Chmura; Neuqua Valley setter Alex Coyne; and Hilliard Darby setter Thane Fanfulik and middle hitter Jarrod Kelso.

Also, Naperville North setter Gert Lisha; Lincoln-Way Central outside hitter Austin Overby; Minooka junior opposite Mitch Perinar; Lincoln-Way East junior libero Josh Phalen; and Minooka outside hitter Matt Svetlecich.

Also, Downers Grove South middle hitter Nick Timreck; Barrington middle hitter Peter Van Fossan; and New Trier setter Matt Wascher.

***

Glenbrook North created little preseason buzz following the graduation of Sun-Times all-area selections Pat and Kyle Bedford and two other starters from last year's state runner-up.

Apparently, the Spartans used that "under the radar" time to build a little team chemistry.

"We do a lot of offseason work," said Tiger Classic MVP Brian O'Keefe. "We all get together so that we're a team even before the season starts. Then when we get on the court, it's like we're a team already and we just need to get the volleyball part down."

Glenbrook North (9-1) has the volleyball part down OK. The Spartans bounced back from last week's loss to Sandburg at the Bison battle to defeat the Eagles in Saturday's WW South semifinals before taking down Hilliard (Ohio) Darby in the championship match.

"Winning this tournament is huge," libero Cody Bolan said. "We've never actually won this tournament before, so this is really special."

***

The surprise of the Tiger Classic at WW South was Neuqua Valley, which defeated New Trier to win the Silver bracket and was a 34-32 third-game, pool-play loss to Sandburg from advancing to the Gold bracket.

"Considering the field. I'm really proud of the way the guys played," Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza said. "We had a lot of unknowns coming into the season, but we're just really steady all the way around, we pass well and play good defense.

"We don't have that one player you have to key on offensively," he added. "We just play really well as a team. (Libero) Matt Porter had a ridiculous tournament. He passed the ball really well, and (setter) Alex Coyne really did a great job offensively."

Coyne represented Neuqua Valley on the all-tournament team.

"It's hard to pick one hitter over another," Mendoza said. "We're really balanced all the way around. We might get four kills from one outside, three from another, three kills from one middle and three kills from our rightside. That's how all our matches went."

***

St. Francis' 6-7 junior middle hitter Jeff Jendryk, younger brother of former Benet standouts Jessica (Illinois) and Jenna (Dayton) Jendryk, was invited to join the USA Youth National Team that will compete at the FIVB World Championships to be held in Mexico June 27-July 7.

But Jendryk, who plays for Sports Performance's 18 Mizuno, reportedly declined the invitation because the World Championships run concurrently with the 2013 USA Volleyball Boys' Junior National Championships in Reno, Nev.

Also selected to join the national team was Mt, Carmel's 6-10 junior middle blocker Matt Walsh.

***

Three local players were invited to participate on the 2013 USA Men's Junior National Training Team. Twelve players will be selected from the initial field of 21 to represent USA Volleyball at the Junior World Championships in Turkey in late August.

The players invited to participate on the training team will compete in a final tryout June 15-21 in Southern California. The team will represent USA at the Pan Am Cup in Argentina in late July and the World Championships in Turkey in late August.

Among those selected to participate on the training team are Loyola's Thomas Jaeschke (Wheaton Warrenville South) and Lewis University's Greg Petty (Downers Grove North) and Bobby Walsh (Mt. Carmel).

***

Brother Rice is looking to fill three spots in the 24-team, fifth annual Brother Rice Smack Attack played at Brother Rice, St. Xavier University and Marist on April 19-20.

There is a $400 entry fee and a five-match guarantee. If interested or know of any schools looking to fill a tournament slot, contact Brother Rice coach Paul Ickes at pickes@brrice.org,

Barrington's Peter Van Fossan (17), Charlie Spry (far right) and teammates hope to whoop it up at Wheaton South this weekend.

In case you missed it, Sandburg, without sidelined for the season setter Nick Bendell, defeated Glenbrook North 25-19, 21-25, 25-17 to win the Bison Battle Saturday at Buffalo Grove.

Sandburg (5-0) also defeated Naperville North (25-20, 25-12), Prospect (25-18, 25-18), Hersey (25-15, 25-16), and Glenbard East (25-23, 25-17).

Glenbard East defeated Buffalo Grove 20-25, 25-11, 25-14 for third place, and Hersey stopped Wheaton Warrenville South 25-18, 20-25, 25-18 for fifth.

Named to the all-tournament team were Jared Wilcox and Richie Pianek of Wheaton Warrenville South; Brian O'Keefe and Cody Bolan of Glenbrook North; Mike Fuerst and Foti Christacos of Hersey; John Hodul and Kyle Burke of Sandburg; and Zach Greene and Willi Brewer of Glenbard East.

***

A three-way tie in pool play dumped Lincoln-Way Central into the Silver flight at last week's Marist RedHawk Invitational.

But the Knights made the most of the demotion, defeating shorthanded Waubonsie Valley (25-11, 25-11), Lockport (20-25, 25-22, 15-10) and Notre Dame (25-15, 25-12) to win the bracket.

Oak Lawn finished 11th, beating Lockport 25-8, 25-19, and Elk Grove took 13th place by defeating Shepard 25-16, 25-7.

Mt. Carmel, the other team involved in that three-way tie, won the Bronze flight with a marathon 24-26, 25-22, 15-12 victory over Niles North.

***

Former Marist coach Bob St. Leger has Wheaton North off to a 4-1 start after the Falcons finished second at the Joliet West tournament Saturday.

Wheaton North defeated St. Ignatius (25-10, 25-21), Belleville (25-18, 25-12), Von Stueben (25-19, 25-14) and Fenwick (25-16, 25-21). The Falcons' only loss was a 25-20, 26-24 decision to Metea Valley.

Zach Sinn, an all-DuPage Valley Conference selection in 2012, led Wheaton North with 29 kills. Graham Clark added 24 kills, Mark Anderson had 22 kills, Elvis Minyakov had 17 kills and Hank Bowen added 77 assists.

***

The 24-team Tiger Classic hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South gets underway Wednesday and Thursday with pool play beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Gold division finals are scheduled to start Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Here are the pools:

Wednesday
Pool A
1. Barrington; 2. Lincoln-Way Central; 3. Lake Park.
Pool C
1. Wheaton Warrenville South; 2. Waubonsie Valley; 3. Naperville Central.
Pool D
1. New Trier; 2. Minooka; 3. St. Rita.
Pool E
1. Buffalo Grove; 2. Downers Grove South; 3. Oak Park-River Forest.

Thursday
Pool B
1. Sandburg; 2. Neuqua Valley; 3. Evanston.
Pool F
1. Glenbrook North; 2. Marist; 3. Stagg.
Pool G
1. Brother Rice; 2. Lincoln-Way East; 3. Andrew.
Pool H
1. Naperville North; 2. Oak Lawn; 3. Hilliard Darby (Ohio).

In pool play, Team No. 1 plays Team No. 2 at 5:00 p.m., then Team No. 1 plays Team No. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Team No. 2 plays Team No. 3 at 8:00 p.m.

***

Prepvolleyball.com recently announced its Soph 79, a list of the best high school varsity-playing sophomores in the country. The team is sponsored by Topical Gear, a company that designs innovative products that allow players to react faster, prevent injuries and provide support.

Only two Illinois players broke into the top 79 - Iman McGary, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Keith Country Day in Rockford, and 5-8 outside hitter Courtney Pence from Springfield.

Named to the "Highest Honorable Mention" list were Mother McAuley libero Carla Cahill, McAuley outside hitter Ryann DeJarld, Danville Schlarman middle blocker Laura Gross and Lyons setter Hannah Juley.

Cahill had 552 digs and earned All-Girls Chicago Athletic Conference recognition while helping to lead the Mighty Macs to the Class 4A semifinals. DeJarld led McAuey in kills with 219 and was second in digs with 389. Juley had 547 assists to go with 153 kills for the Lions.

"Elite Honorable Mention" honorees included Huntley's Kelsey DeWulf, Stagg's Lexi Mantas, Carly Nolan of Crystal Lake South and Lyons' Toni Saracco.

Named to the "High Honorable Mention" team were Plainfield Central's Elizabeth Hyland, Nazareth's Julia Saunders, DeLaSalle's Carleigh Barringer, Mother McAuley's Kelsey Clark and Kaneland's Ellie Dunn.

The "Honorable Mention" list included Mary Boken (St. Francis), Rachael Fara (Benet), Rachel Herrera (Illiana Christian), Mia Herrod (Proviso East), Lane Hindenburg (Fremd), Crystal Lee (T.F. South), Ali Lund (Lemont) and Kristi May (St. Ignatius).

Also, Mikaela Mosquera (St. Charles East), JoAnna Nowicki (Morris), Gabriella Olhava (Hersey), Sarah Shafiq (New Trier), Kristen Somerville (St. Ignatius), Courtney Stedman (Hersey), Haley Sullivan (Lemont) and Katie Vondra (Downers Grove South).

Barrington's 6-foot-6 middle Peter Van Fossan (pictured left) is expected to play a big role for the Broncos, who finished third in the state in 2012.

A new era begins at Marist with Bob St. Leger leaving for Wheaton North and six-year assistant Jodi Frigo moving into the lead role. But according to Frigo, the atmosphere around the locker room is still the same and Marist should not miss a beat.

Leading the five-time defending East Suburban Catholic Conference champions will be four returning starters from last year's 23-12 team, including setter Mike Schreiber, outside hitter John Yerkes (171 kills last year), middle hitter Connor O'Neill and junior middle hitter Matt Munro.

"What makes us so great this year is we have a nice spread offense with hitters all capable of putting a ball away," Frigo said. "Hopefully, we are able to frustrate teams with this and set ourselves up with many 1 on 1 hitting opportunities."

***

Five-time defending North Suburban Conference champion Vernon Hills graduated two Sun-Times All-Area players Martin Niemczewski and Thomas Robinson from last year's 32-5 team, which dropped a tough regional final to Zion-Benton.

But according to coach Chris Curry, that loss has served as motivation for a lot of the guys in the off-season.

Back for the Cougars are middle hitter Evan Borden, libero Chris Edwards, juniors setter Ryan Opitz (765 assists, 38 kills), junior outside hitter Mike Heinz and junior middle Max Spiglanin (129 kills, good for third on the team).

"We hope to keep ourselves in the mix for the conference title," Curry said. "Some of these guys were on the team that made it to state in 2011, and they've been working hard to get that experience again. Stevenson once again looks like the team to beat in the NSC, as they were last year."

***

Six-foot-8 Tommy Leonard and outside Jeff Hochstein graduated from Barrington's 34-7 team that finished third in the state last year, but coach Rob Ridenour has some key players returning as the Broncos look to do business again in 2013.

Back are 6-foot-4 opposite Charlie Spry, an all-conference selection last year, 6-6 Peter Van Fossan, who was a member of the USAV A2 National Team, and 6-3 outside Kevin Eiring.

Spry and Van Fossan made the hour-plus trip to Orland Park during the summer to play for Ultimate 18 Gold.

"The biggest strength of this team is our overall athleticism and blocking," Ridenour said. "The key for us will be the development of our ball control. When we pass, we are pretty physical. Spry, in my opinion, is one of the best opposites in the state."

***

Evanston had a less than memorable year in 2012, finishing 12-25. But things are looking up on the north shore.

"This is the strongest team we've had in a few years," coach Mike McDermott said. "We have a confident, skilled group with excellent leadership. Our strengths should be our offense, our blocking, and our energy. We should be able to attack from anywhere on the court."

Veterans include 6-4 setter John Corydon, 5-11 libero Romell Harris, 6-8 rightside Mazzin Ajamia, 6-6 sophomore middle Xavier Ajamia, 6-3 middle Conor McDermott and 6-5 senior middle Desi Cleland.

"This group has already gelled as a team and I am excited to see what they can do by the end of the season," McDermott said."

***

Warren, 20-16 a year ago, has a lot of club experience, but not much playing experience, according to coach Yun Chen.

"I'm hoping with their club experience will translate to a successful season," Chen said.

Warren will be led by junior middle hitter Max Bongratz (81 kills, 49 blocks in 2012), junior outside hitter Bryant Holland, junior setter Arvind Kouta and senior setter Sam Wilson.

***

Sandburg's season got off to a tough start even before the Eagles took the court. Senior setter Nick Bendell, one of the best setters in the state who is committed to Harvard, will miss the entire season after back surgery.

But coach Sean Airola will find a way to get it done with a host of veterans from last year's 25-10 team incuding Lewis recruit 6-10 middle John Hodul, 6-3 Ball State recruit Mike Scannell, veteran libero Kyle Burke, and returning outside Paul Chmura.

"We will be better than last year," Airola said. "All of our 14 guys play at Ultimate and D1 Southside clubs. Four players are committed to playing at the collegiate level and have all around athleticism. We have middles with size and two outsides that great verticals and ball control."

***

Matt Hunt takes over at Oak Lawn, which has enjoyed a lot of success through the years and should rebound from last year's 16-17 subpar season. Oak Lawn has four returning starters led by Marc Hansen, a four-year varsity player who toiled in the offseason for Ultimate 18 Gold.

***

The good news for Lincoln-Way Central? Five seniors are back who saw significant playing time for the 23-14 Knights. The bad news? Sandburg, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North and a brutal schedule that includes the Tiger Classic.

The Knights, under first-year coach Brian Danielson, will be led by Ball State recruit Austin Overby and Lakeland College recruit Matt Nawa. Matt Clark is back at setter.

***
Six-foot-5 Nick Timrick will play a big role for Downers Grove South, which was 25-11 last year including 5-1 in the West Suburban Gold division. Timrick is one of seven players who have varsity experience for the Mustangs.

"Nick brings back a lot of experience in that middle position for us," coach Kurt Steuer said. "I believe one of Nick's strongest talents is the ability to hit angles. We are looking for him to be a leader on the court with his presence in the middle for us."

Also back are libero David DeMarco and junior defensive specialist Tyler Zowaski. Watch 6-5 sophomore Will Tishler.

***

St. Rita welcomes back four starters from the team that reached the IHSA quarterfinals last year - setter Thomas McDermott, rightside Dan O'Keefe, leftside Kevin Banky and middle hitter Billy White. O'Keefe was second on the team in kills last year and will be a big part of the Mustangs' offense this year.

***

Three starters return for Naperville North, which was 25-11 last season after advancing to the championship game in 2011. The biggest among them is 6-6 setter and Lewis recruit Gert Lisha, who played for Sports Performance's 18-1 team.

Also back for the Huskies are 6-4 outside Dan Koch and 5-10 libero Nikolai Jackowski, Expected to contribute in 2013 are 6-2 outside Brennan Wiest, 6-4 opposite Scott Boyk and 6-4 junior middle hitter Kevin Figge.

"We will have a much more balanced attack than we have had in the past," coach Nate Bornancin said. "We return two primary passers and our second libero is strong in serve receive as well."

***

Elk Grove went 31-8 last year, a school record for wins. The Grenadiers shared the Mid-Suburban East title with Buffalo Grove at 8-2 and reached the sectional finals before losing to Lake Park.

But duplicating those feats will be difficult. Elk Grove graduated Sun-TImes second team all-area player and MSL East Player of the Year Mike Kawa, as well as all conference performers Aaron Kraus and Jeff Miceli.

Top returning starters from last year are 6-foot-5 middle Jake Gatziolis, 5-10 outside Jake Braceros, 5-8 libero Matt McKenna and 5-10 junior defensive specialist Karl Freidenfelds. The Grens will count on 6-5 sophomores Sam Jasutis, setter Ray Kraus and outside Kevin Wickstrom.

"We look to be very competitive as the younger players gel with the upperclassman," coach Daniel Windholz said.

***

Bolingbrook did something last year it had never done before. The Raiders reached the regional championship match.

"Last year's team set the bar very high for the program," coach Andrea Bercot said. "I know the previous team has made a huge impression on this current team. But we are a very young and inexperienced with only two starters returning this season."

Top returnees for Bolingbrook are junior outside hitter Christian Ales, rightside hitter Ryo Shibata and junior outside Joseff Glass. Top newcomers are sophomore setter Enrique Barajas and middle blocker Caleb Munson.

***

With only two starters returning, Plainfield North coach Kevin Vesper has some holes to fill.

"We are a very young and talented," he said. "We have four sophomores on the team that will play important roles during the season. We will be running an entirely new offense this year. I am very excited to see where this team goes in the future. The ceiling is as high as they want it to be."

Middle hitters Doug Aremka and Alenjandro Robles, both juniors, are the only starters back from a year ago. Newcomers include sophomore Mitch Chapman, sophomore libero Chris Paige, and setters Shane Yeo and Sam Gaik.

***

Stagg's Kamil Barnas, a 6-3 outside hitter, is getting look-sees from a number of schools. But for now, his main goal is to lead the Chargers to a better season than a year ago when Stagg went 14-22 overall.

"We return four key starters, including (Barnas), who is currently being actively pursued by a number of colleges," coach Lauren Royer said. "All our frontrow players are 6-foot-3 or above, our libero is consistent and able to read various hitting styles, and we have a well-developed setter.

"Our middle hitters have room for improvement, but where they lack in experience, they make up for in hard work," she added. "I can honestly say that this team will prove to be a much bigger threat than people have seen in years past."

Stagg's lineup will feature 6-3 outside Mike Scatena, 6-3 setter Matt Meyering and 6-5 rightside Danny Naughton. Ben Tocila, a 6-3 transfer from Richards, and 5-8 libero Sean Runyon will also contribute.

***

Marty Ross cast a big shadow on the Providence volleyball program. At 6-9, he cast a big shadow wherever he went.

This spring, the Celtics will turn to 6-5 Brendan Surane, who travelled with the U.S. Boys' Youth National Volleyball Team that defeated Puerto Rico, 22-25, 25-19, 25-11, 26-28, 15-7 to finish third in the NORCECA Boys' Youth Continental Championships last summer.

Surane finished the 2012 season with 145 kills, 125 blocks and 21 aces. He will be supported by returning junior setter Dan Niemiec (more than 300 assists while running a 6-2 offense) outside hitter Matt Martensen and opposite hitter Jordan Houston.

The Celtics are also looking for big things from second-year varsity players Tim Doughney (middle blocker) and libero Michael Tucker.

***

23-10-0.

23 = the number of wins Neuqua Valley had last year. 10 = the number of losses it suffered. 0 = the number of returning starters from the team that finished 4-1 in the Valley division of the Upstate Eight Conference and won the league title.

"We are not returning any starters from last year's team, but we have six members that were non-starters coming back," coach Erich Mendoza said. "The remaining players are coming off a junior varsity team that enjoyed a successful season last year (31-2 and conference champions)."

"Our outsides and middles are aggressive while our defense provides solid passing," he added. "We are working on consistency from our serve receive. "

***

Maine East finished the 2012 season with a 22-15 record and was 5-5 in the Central Suburban League North. That's the good news.

The bad news?

"After graduating seven seniors, we will be young," coach Jon Kulesza said.

Kulesza will build his team around senior outside Maciek Otfinowski, who was third on the team in kills a year ago with 182.

***

West Aurora said farewell to one of the best defensive players around in libero Patrick Ronan, all-conference hitter Eric Roggeman and two-year starter David Vasquez from last year's 23-13 team that won the Blackhawk and Fremd Invites and finished fourth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Coach Tolis Koskinaris will build around senior middle hitter James McGrath (144 Kills, 95 Blocks in 2012), junior outside hitter Timothy Lambert and senior libero Sean Kent, and hope for help from junior outside Lucas Kilmer, junior rightside Michael Mascetti, and freshmen Adam Fitzgerald and Justin Reynolds.

The schedule-makers were kind to West Aurora, The Blackhawks play their first seven matches at home and don't leave West Aurora until mid-April.

***

Downers Grove North has bid farewell to some talented players the past two years, including Zach Parik (Penn State), Greg Petty (Lewis), JP Tulacka (Carthage) and Chris George (Nazareth).

Those are some big shoes to fill. But coach Mark Wasik is undeterred.

"I am looking forward to a promising season with a young but talented team," he said. "I am excited about the high baseline of skill and talent that this team brings to the gym. Every team member comes in having made tremendous strides during their club seasons."

Veterans back from last year's team that had WW South down 1-0 and led 20-15 in a sectional semifinal are Brooks Nevrly (Dominican), a three-year varsity libero, outside Gilius Blinstrubas (Sienna Heights) and setter Tyler Saieg (Carthage). Also watch junior outside Tom Sarver.

"A lot remains to be seen as this team is untested," Wasik said. "Yet I know there is enough skill and desire to build on for a highly successful season. I am excited for the potential."

***

Deerfield went 18-14 last year and reached the regional finals before losing to Barrington. Back from that team are junior outside John Harlan, senior opposite Kennison Ready, junior middle Eli Schmidt and junior outside hitter Zach Hara. The quartet will be directed by senior setter Jordan Fine.

"The four returning hitters all played quite a bit during the offseason at Adversity Volleyball Club and the other guys on the team all played at other clubs." Coach Eugene Chung said. "We're hoping for a strong season as long as we can stay healthy."

Chung is keeping an eye on junior outside Adam Nadler, who is recovering from an injury that may keep him out of the first part of the season.

***

Lyons will look to improve upon last year's 21-14 record behind 6-3 junior setter Marko Kostich, who had 222 assists, 68 kills and 148 digs in the Lions' 6-2 offense. Also back are 6-4 senior outside Clayton Smentek and 6-4 senior middle hitter Aidan Spangler.

Other players who should see time include 6-6 senior middle Ryan Temple, senior defensive specialist Dom Faust, 6-3 senior outside hitter Kyle Smuda and 6-7 senior middle hitter Gabe Fisher. Six-foot-2 junior outside Michael Dean was brought up to varsity late last year.

"With Marko returning as setter and with a huge lineup at the net, we will look to earn our points at the net," Lyons coach Joann Pyritz said.

***

Former Marist coach Bob St. Leger takes over at Wheaton North, which won a regional title a year ago. Back from that team are junior setter Hank Bowen, senior all-conference outside hitter Zach Sinn and junior middle hitter Graham Clark.

***

Addison Trail will look to improve upon last year's 23-15 record and regional championship behind 6-4 sophomore rightside Alex Dickman (255 kills, 56 blocks in 2012), who played on junior national team over the summer, 6-0 senior outside Matt Hernet and 6-3 junior setter Kevin Grygo.

***

Lake Park lost a heartbreaker to Barrington in the state quarterfinals in 2012 to finish 27-11. Second-year coach Tim Murphy, a 1998 graduate of Lake Park, hopes to take the Lancers one step further in 2013 behind senior outside Dillon Hock.

"Dillon is a top tier outside hitter in the state," Murphy said. "He is 6-foot-4 with a great vertical, a textbook arm swing and plenty of varsity experience. He will be an integral part of our team."

Other returnees include junior middle Sean Moore, junior setter Quin Krisik and junior outside Jeff Yost. Top newcomers include junior opposite Shawn Fritsche, junior outside Dominick Terry, junior libero Anthony Amore and junior middle Derek Burke.

"I have high expectations for this season," Murphy said. "We are a junior-heavy team, which gives us room for growth when dealing with experience on the court. This team has dedicated themselves in the offseason. I believe that we have the physical talent to be a strong volleyball team in the state."

***

Loyola Academy finished 28-10 last season and stunned New Trier 26-24, 25-23 to win its third regional title in the last four years. This spring, the Ramblers hope to challenge Brother Rice in the Catholic League and make a run at a sectional title.

Leading the way will be 6-7 junior David Wieczorek, who had 291 kills as a sophomore and grew two inches since last season. Also back are senior outside hitter Sean Barry and 6-5 senior setter James McCabe.

Top newcomers include junior libero Collin Merk and 6-6 sophomore middle Jakub Mazurek.

***

Maine South will look (up) to 6-8 Nate Wolf and 6-3 Michael Hopkins to lead it back to the lofty heights it enjoyed last year when it went 27-11 and finished second in the Central Suburban League South division.

Wolf finished the 2012 season with 190 kills, 38 blocks and 22 Aces. Hopkins added 124 kills, 41 blocks and 12 aces. Also back are senior rightside Michael McGovern, senior middle hitter Andy Wawrzyniak and junior outside hitter John Palucki.

"I think we will be very strong in the Central Suburban League South," coach Gary Grannell said. "Even though we only are returning two starters, we will have an experienced group many of whom played on the same club team. They are very accustomed to each other. I hope that works in our favor."

***

Benet had a strong campaign in 2012, finishing 28-9 overall including 6-2 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and reaching the sectional semifinals before losing to homestanding Glenbard East.

Back to make another run at the sectional title are 6-1 outside Sawyer Yeazel, 6-4 middle blocker Mike Jurkash, 6-1 libero Mike Robinson and 6-4 junior middle blocker Garrett Metzger. Top newcomers are 6-8 junior outside Ricky Gevis, 6-1 sophomore outside Scott Kleiser and freshman setter Ben Mazza.

"I am excited about the leadership and dedication of my returning players, as well as the young talent that has joined our team this year," coach Amy Van Eekeren said.

***

Glenbard West went 31-6 including 6-0 in the West Suburban Conference Silver division before losing to Benet in the regional championship.

Graduation decimated Glenbard West. But 6-4 outside hitter Johnny Davis and 6-3 outside hitter/setter Jacob Stone are back to nurse the team's youngsters along.

"Davis is looking to be one of the top outside hitters in the area," coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said. "He is fired up for the season and should provide us with power in the front row. Stone was a utility player who set for us and was a defensive specialist and now moves outside.

"We are going to see a different Glenbard West team this spring," she added. "We used to have a huge front line often referred to as the "Tree Toppers." But this year defense will be the major focus of the season."

Glenbard West will also be young with three seniors, 12 juniors and two sophomores.

***

Ken Dowdy begins his third season at York after going 15-18 in 2012 and finishing 2-4 in the West Suburban Silver.

"We expect to challenge for a conference and regional title with a young but experienced team with six juniors who saw time last year on varsity as sophomores," he said. " While we may struggle at the beginning of the season, we expect to be hitting on all cylinders as the season progresses."

Key returning players for the Dukes are junior outside hitter Jason Bowles (105 kills, 17 aces, 71 digs in 2012), senior outside Anthony Cano, junior libero Sebastian Guzman (294 digs, 20 aces), junior defensive specialist Sean Lyons and senior middle hitters Connor O'Ryan and Karl Severino.

"We're looking for a big year from O'Ryan, who is in only his third year playing volleyball," Dowdy said. "He is a player who provides a big block, efficient attack and will be tough in the front row. Guzman enters his second year as libero and is a player who is all over the court defensively."