Fremd coach Dave Boze seems to have almost too much of a good thing entering the 1998 boys volleyball season. Not that he’s complaining.
With five of six starters back and 13 talented club players on board, Boze’s biggest challenge may be to try and keep everyone happy.
“If it was a professional team, I’d probably trade three or four for future draft choices,” said Boze with a laugh.
Fremd boasts a potentially devastating offensive group led by returning senior middle hitters Eric Tellschow and Chris Barker and outside hitter Woytek Kawczynski.
Tellschow had a .345 hitting percentage last spring. He also suffered from a fractured disc that caused occasional problems and forced him into injury rehabilitation.
But when he’s on, there are few players that match his power.
“Eric is probably twice as powerful as anybody on the team,” said Boze. “Our success hinges on his health.”
The Vikings also need to find a consistent setter, said Boze.
“I would still rather have this team than any other I’ve had,” he said. “But I’m really nervous about putting together a team.”
Fremd is ranked No. 3 in the Tribune’s pre-season Top 10 and favored to win the Mid-Suburban North. But Barrington and Buffalo Grove could also give the Vikings a run.
Barrington took its lumps last season, going 10-22 overall. Coach Mark Swaya now has a veteran group of club players, who he hopes will make a run for the Broncos’ first MSL-North title.
“All these kids have played volleyball for a long time,” Swaya said.
The top returnee is senior outside hitter Mike Michonski.
Buffalo Grove has three senior starters back: setters Brent Agran and Matt Aiello and middle hitter Matt Taggert. Also returning is senior outside hitter Scott Miller, another quality player who missed much of last season with an injury.
“I think we could compete for the conference title if we work hard,” said Buffalo Grove coach Kyle Reid.
Hersey has 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter Terrence White (250 kills) back on board, but the Huskies have struggled with injuries during the preseason.
“We’ve got some holes in the lineup to fill,” said Hersey coach Nancy Lill. “And we’ve been bombarded by injuries. If we get healthy we can make a good run.”
Although the lineup is still uncertain, Wheeling coach Denise Van Huele said she expects improvement over last year’s 3-26 mark.
The MSL-South race, meanwhile, could be very competitive with four teams jockeying for top honors.
Prospect, which went 26-9 overall and qualified for state last spring for the first time in school history, has a slight edge.
Knight coach Mike Reidy hopes his team, sixth in the Tribune rankings, gets another shot at state.
“I just hope it wasn’t a one-and-only time,” he said. “So many good things happened to get us there.”
Three starters are back: outside hitters Chris Pontarelli and Kevin Kowall and setter Kevin Hallen.
“We have a lot of experience,” said Reidy. “It’s not going to hurt us.”
Elk Grove has top returnees in senior middle hitter Jeff Gutsmiedl and senior outside hitter Ryan Chellin. Gutsmiedl had 184 kills and 63 blocks, while Chellin excelled in passing and defense.
“The key for us is that it’s going to take a little time to jell,” said Grenadier coach Dan Prickett.
Hoffman Estates, the defending MSL-South champs, returns 6-8 middle hitter Paul Fasshauer. He had 202 kills and 116 blocks and earned all-conference honors.
Coach Dawn Shepherd will build around Fasshauer with a flock of newcomers.
Graduation hit Conant hard, with defensive specialist Andy Bessick the only returning starter.
“We’re starting from scratch,” said Cougar coach Peggy Scholten. “We graduated five starters and we’re working on a lot of basics and fundamentals.”
Rolling Meadows returns Shawn Monroe, a 6-2 all-conference middle hitter. Also back is 6-2 senior middle hitter Mike Miller and 6-0 setter Eric Larson.
Schaumburg has six returnees from a group that went 19-15 and 5-5 in the MSL South.
