Pioneer Press breaks down the Deerfield, Barrington, Lake Forest, Stevenson, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Carmel and Buffalo Grove boys volleyball teams.
DEERFIELD
After a trip to the boys volleyball state quarterfinals in 2013 and a sectional final appearance in 2014, Deerfield doesn’t expect to fall too far back in 2015.
Much of that belief is due to the return of two experienced setters, 6-5 senior Nick Tonner and 5-10 junior Ryan Slack. The Warriors also have a Division I recruit in 6-foot Spencer Sachs (UCLA) and senior outside hitter Brendan Walsh.
Coach Eugene Chung said he believes he has a versatile roster that can compete again for Central Suburban League, regional and sectional titles.
“We will try and number of different looks using Nick Tonner as a right-side hitter,” Chung said. “Brendan [Walsh] and Spencer [Sachs] will carry the offensive load from the outside.”
BARRINGTON
Barrington won the Mid-Suburban League championship in 2014 and will be one of the favorites in 2015.
The Broncos should be an offensive juggernaut this spring. Senior outsides Justin Glader (6-foot-5) and Adam Glader (6-4) return, as do 6-8 junior opposite hitter Ethan Carroll and senior all-conference setter Noah Ricchetti (6-4).
“Our biggest strength is that we are big, physical and athletic,” said coach Neal Ridenour, who is beginning his 10th season at Barrington. “Our offense is going to be dynamic and balanced.”
It’s not just on the outside where the Broncos have size. In the middle, 6-8 junior TJ Murray and 6-6 sophomore Josh Babicz will see playing time along with senior Justin Hana (6-1). Defensively, juniors James Tiao (5-8), Justin Tiao (5-11) and Jack Ridgway (5-10) will share time at libero.
“We have a deep group of players that will consistently battle for playing time,” Ridenour said. “The key for us will be to develop a consistent level in serving, attacking and ball control.”
LAKE FOREST
If the Scouts are to compete in the North Suburban Lake, they will need improvement up and down the roster. There are no star players.
Coach Colin Kiely said early season workouts have been promising.
“I believe that we will be stronger than last season in terms of depth,” Kiely said. “My juniors last year were competing for spots on the roster, but this year, they all can make an impression.”
Two of those now-seniors are Andrew Salzer and Ryan Christensen. A three-year varsity player, Salzer is an outside hitter. So is Christensen, though he played libero in 2014.
Another senior, Scott Chamberlain, will man the middle of the Scouts attack, as will junior Shane King. Junior Quinn Gaughan is expected to play the setter position for Lake Forest.
“[The team is] hoping to get a couple of more wins this season, but also having the ability to pay around with lineups and still be competitive,” Kiely said.
STEVENSON
Stevenson features a balanced roster in 2015. Five seniors will compete for playing time along with several sophomores.
Coach Eric Goolish relishes the mix of upper- and lowerclassmen.
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“Our gym is full of real hard workers who want to learn. The depth of ability at all positions should make for very high-level practices,” Goolish said.
It helps to have a star to build around. The Patriots have that in 6-7 sophomore outside hitter Grant Maleski.
“I expect Grant to show great improvement over his strong performance last season on our team,” Goolish said.
Goolish said he expects a returning middle hitter, junior Justin Leonard, to play six rotations.
Don’t be surprised if Stevenson starts slow but is playing its best volleyball by May.
VERNON HILLS
The Vernon Hills boys volleyball team has graduated a core group of seniors who were largely responsible for 92 wins from 2012-14. But this is a healthy program, with a 30-win average over the past six seasons. Don’t expect a deep drop in 2015.
“While we lost a lot of varsity experience with the four starters who graduated, we also have a lot of returning players we are excited about,” Cougars coach Chris Curry said.
Vernon Hills will build around senior middle hitter Lem Turner. The 6-foot-5, Ball State-bound Turner is close to setting the school record for blocks.
“That part of his game is a given,” Curry said. “He’s looking to play all-around this year.”
Turner will be supported by talented outside hitter Dylan DeBoer, a senior. Junior Jared Bennett played setter and outside in 2014 and may do both again in 2015.
Look for Vernon Hills to contend once again for the North Suburban Conference title, a trophy it won in 2014 before losing to Deerfield in a sectional semifinal.
“A lot of guys on the team recognize the opportunity that we missed out on last year,” Curry said. “There’s plenty of motivation in the gym, that’s for sure.”
LIBERTYVILLE
Of all the NSC Lake teams, the Wildcats may be the most experienced to start 2015. Eleven varsity players return.
Libertyville should have a strong attack, led by 6-3 senior Konnor McCormack.
“He’s become bigger, stronger and has become more explosive and improved blocking abilities,” Wildcats coach Jennifer Smith said.
The Wildcats have size in senior middle hitters Peter Feely (6-6) and Zac Hauser (6-3). Senior Chris Akers (6-1) is on the outside. Sophomore Sam Kharasch is expected to take over at libero. Seniors Jacob Kumorowicz and Elliot Cote round out the back row, and senior Kyle Winiger will see action at setter.
There is no easing into 2015, not with Maine South, New Trier, Vernon Hills, Deerfield and Hersey on the schedule to start the season.
“I think it will be a great indicator for how this season is going after those matchups,” Smith said.
CARMEL
Don’t expect a fast start by Carmel in 2015. This is a team with just three seniors and a lot of juniors without much varsity experience.
“We have a lot of guys that are new and developing,” Corsairs coach Kevin Nylen said.
The three seniors on the roster are good ones, with 6-0 setter Drew Mehigan, 6-1 middle hitter Brian Esterquest and 5-11 all-around player Kyle Zeman, who is returning from a knee injury that wiped out almost his entire 2014 season.
“[Zeman] is a do-everything kind of guy,” Nylen said. “A great passer, such a technically sound player.”
Outside hitter Patrick Meadie, a 5-11 junior, returns for his third varsity season. Impact newcomers are expected to be left-handed opposite hitter Michael May, a junior, and junior libero Ryan Fuller.
BUFFALO GROVE
The Bison will be experienced, with a core group from 2014 that returns this spring. They will be coached by Tim Kosiek, who is taking over for previous coach Matt Aiello.
Buffalo Grove has size on the outside, with 6-7 senior Athan Cruz, 6-5 senior Alex Franz and 6-foot Kevin Shanahan.
“[Shanahan] will be a tremendous contributor offensively and defensively,” Kosiek said. “[Cruz and Franz] will also be exciting to watch. They have high expectations for the season ahead.”
Junior Zach Schnittker is back at setter, and senior Tullio Ruscitti will again lead the defense at libero.
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Jon Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.