Division Swept Away by Surging Broncos

With Barrington’s straight set victory (25-14, 25-23) over MSL W divisional rival Hoffman Estates, the Broncos (20-5, 8-0) ended match play in their division undefeated and are primed for battle in the Conference Championship against Buffalo Grove.

“These guys are excited to be getting a chance to play for a conference championship,” Barrington’s coach Rob Ridenour said.  “It’s a fun night and you are playing in front of a packed gym against a quality opponent.”

“I’m really excited, this is my first time experiencing this and it’s in my last year (of playing for Barrington),” senior Matt Logue said. 

Logue, who had nine kills (1 ace) in the victory over the Hawks, has put together a good year for the Broncos and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“(Logue) has been really solid and consistent all year,” Ridenour said of his outside hitter.  “He did another real nice job for us in the match tonight.”

Carthage College will be the recipients of Logue’s skills come the fall, but for now, he is staying focused on the upcoming match, and end of the season stretch run.   And Logue believes the team’s season long hard work is about to start paying off, beginning with the championship game.

“To be playing in this game was on our list of goals at the start of the season,” Logue said.  “We have played a really tough tournament schedule this year and I think that has really helped prepare us.”

The team’s strong schedule is not only prepping them for a playoff run, but allowed for growth; which according to Coach Ridenour was responsible for the volleyball maturation of junior Taylor Ganzer.

“Ganzer has made tremendous strides all year long,” said Ridenour of his setter that racked up 23 assists (two blocks) in the win over the Hawks.  “He’s playing at a really high level right now.”

But Ridenour also attributes some of the recent success of the team to the preparation done in practice by TJ Shanahan, Tommy Leonard and Jeff Hochstein.

“They have really been practicing on blocking,” Ridenour said.  “And they did particularly well (against Hoffman Estates).”

In the win over the Hawks, senior Shanahan contributed four blocks (five kills) while 6’8 junior Tommy Leonard recorded three blocks.  Austin Czarnecki led the team with nine digs and Hochstein’s (7 kills) trailed teammate Logue.

Where to cheer: Barrington’s championship match will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18 at Buffalo Grove.