Whether he’s on the court, at practice or at home, Barrington senior setter Noah Ricchetti is all volleyball.
“Noah has assumed a lot of leadership with the team and it has a lot to do with his commitment,” Barrington coach Rob Ridenour said. “He holds himself to a high standard, and it rubs off on everyone.”
“I try to keep my teammates motivated, work as hard as I can and get everyone fired up,” Ricchetti said.
Ricchetti is also relentless in watching film.
“It helps to see what I’m doing wrong versus the top players,” Ricchetti said. “I watch the high-level college and pro.”
Ricchetti also finds time to serve as a volleyball official, having recently officiated a girls junior high tournament.
At home it’s about watching his eating habits.
“He really takes care of himself with healthy eating,” said Barrington senior and right-side hitter Justin Glader, who has played with Ricchetti since they were freshmen on junior varsity. “I’ve never seen anyone after workouts able to balance his carbs and amino acids like he does. Everything Noah does is about volleyball.”
Ricchetti played on varsity for a time as a freshman before permanently moving up his sophomore year. He has been a starter since junior year, when he helped Barrington win the Mid-Suburban League.
Barrington got off to a 13-1 start this season, with its only loss coming against an Ohio team. On Monday, Barrington notched its latest victory by beating Warren 25-16, 25-16. With the Broncos leading 20-16 in the second set, Ricchetti served out the match, including two aces. He finished the contest with five aces and 15 assists.
What sets Ricchetti apart from most setters is his ability to block.
“Even though Noah is our shortest front-line starter, he leads the team in blocks,” Ridenour said. “It’s a testament to how hard Noah has worked.”
“I have the ability to read the hitters and get my hands in front of them to block,” Ricchetti said.
Ricchetti has 20 blocks on the young season to go along with 10 aces off his jump serve. He also has 300 assists and 53 digs, demonstrating his ability as an all-around player.
Ricchetti became interested in volleyball as a seventh grader, acknowledging he was motivated by the fact that his mom, Brenda, played in high school. He has been a starting setter in club volleyball, including for the highly competitive Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora. Ricchetti is hoping to continue to play in college, with Division II Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia.
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“I just love volleyball. I’m hooked on it,” Ricchetti said.
Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @markdavidperlma