Ward, Bison Take Down Elk Grove

Maybe Jon Ward is actually in the opponent's scouting report. But that just means another player to cover in that dangerous volleyball lineup.

Every team that battles Buffalo Grove knows it has to cover slugger Chris Shanahan and sidekick Jamie Schnittker. Now they have to make room for the senior Ward as well.

On Thursday night in Buffalo Grove, the Bison (21-4) met a tough blocking team from Elk Grove. Shanahan was nearly unstoppable with 12 kills in just two sets. Schnittker notched 10 kills and there was Ward with a solid eight kills.

"Jon turned it on consistently about two weeks into the season,'' Buffalo Grove coach Matt Aiello said. "And he's taken over as our emotional leader out there."

BG trailed early in set one before posting a 25-20, 25-17 win over Elk Grove.

"This was really a team effort,'' Ward said. "We had great setting from Lukas [Karch]. I also think we can be one of the best blocking teams in the state. I hope I can play like this in every game.''

This is Ward's last go-around with volleyball. He plans to study biology at Loyola University next fall.

With Shanahan hammering at the net, the Bison rolled to a quick 7-3 in set one. And then the Grens began to make inroads with their blocking. Elk Grove led 15-14 before an ace from Shanahan and a Schnittker kill gave the Bison the lead for good.

A Ward kill and a Shanahan kill settled set one. Shanahan is one key hitter in BG's lineup.

"Things come natural to Chris,'' Aiello said. "Now we want him to make a concerted effort to be the best player on the court."

Set two wasn't close after libero Camryn Castle went into serve. Two Shanahan kills and a block, plus a Sam Wacker kill, and the Bison lead swelled to 7-3.

"We were a little sloppy on offense,'' Aiello said. "But when we are in system, we are hard to stop."

Setter Karch managed 30 assists in this win.