'Leapin' Larry' leads volleyball stars

The 12-man 2009 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area volleyball team, a squad loaded with talent and character, includes (from left): Jordan Williams, Hinsdale Central; Mike Segneri, St. Francis; Rob Bauer, Neuqua Valley; Joe Kelly, Wheaton Warrenville South; Simon Holstein, New Trier; Larry Wrather, Lake Forest (behind Holstein); Mark Jones, Glenbard East; Joe Smalzer, Marist (behind Jones); Chris Falknor, Buffalo Grove; John Coen, St. Patrick; Keegan Harris, Vernon Hills, and Peter Doerrer, St. Ignatius.
(Richard Chapman/Sun-Times)

June 4, 2009 BY PHIL BROZYNSKI

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Led by two-time selection Larry Wrather of Lake Forest, the 2009 Chicago Sun-Times Boys All-Area volleyball team is rich in talent and character.

Larry Wrather, Lake Forest: Despite being double- and tripled-teamed all season, Wrather still put up amazing statistics for the Scouts. The 5-11 senior had 413 kills on .354 hitting and 59 aces on nearly 80 percent serving.

Rob Bauer, Neuqua Valley: The 6-4 senior posted 283 kills, 38 blocks, nine aces and 63 digs to lead the Wildcats to a third consecutive state quarterfinal appearance.

John Coen, St. Patrick: Coen, an outside hitter, is a three-time East Suburban Catholic Conference selection and the school’s all-time leader in kills (more than 1,100), aces (100) and digs (600).

Peter Doerrer, St. Ignatius: He’s the most dominant player to ever don a Wolfpack uniform. The star basketball player was a three-time All-Catholic League volleyball selection and had 348 kills, 19 aces, 46 digs and 57 blocks.

Chris Falknor, Buffalo Grove: Twenty-four hours after the Bison lost in the state championship game last year, Falknor was back in the gym getting ready for the 2009 season. Although he was sidelined by an ankle injury early, he still compiled 234 kills, 25 aces and 29 blocks during the regular season.

Keegan Harris, Vernon Hills: Hailed as a great outside hitter early in his career, he became an outstanding all-around player and leader during games and at practice to lead the Cougars to the North Suburban Conference title.

Simon Holstein, New Trier: The Trevians have been known for big hitters, but the force behind their success was a defense anchored by libero Simon Holstein. The 5-9 senior led the Trevians with 211 digs, 49 aces and amazing accuracy on more than 500 serve receptions.

Mark Jones, Glenbard East: Few players in the state are as complete. A three-year starter and his school’s male athlete of the year, Jones led the Rams with 392 assists, 212 kills, 23 aces, 88 digs and 81 blocks.

Joe Kelly, Wheaton Warrenville South: The Tigers have known only one direction during Kelly’s tenure as setter — the gold medal stand. Kelly has guided WW South to the state’s No. 1 ranking this season with 879 assists, 54 kills, 178 digs and 31 aces during the regular season.

Mike Signeri, St. Francis: Signeri has endured more than his share of adversity, including injury and illness, but the four-year starter bounced back to lead his team to victory over some of the top programs in the state.

Jordan Williams, Hinsdale Central: Anyone who has seen Williams soar to put down another kill can testify to his incredible athletic ability. A threat at the net with 232 kills and 72 blocks through 35 matches, he developed a jump-serve late this season to add another weapon to his arsenal.

Sun-Times All-Area boys volleyball teams

First Team

• Rob Bauer, 6-4, Sr., OH, Neuqua Valley

• John Coen, 6-4, Sr., OH, St. Patrick

• Peter Doerrer, 6-5, Sr., OH, St. Ignatius

• Chris Falknor, 6-3, Sr., OH, Buffalo Grove

• Keegan Harris, 5-11, Sr., OH, Vernon Hills

• Simon Holstein, 5-9, Sr., L, New Trier

• Mark Jones, 6-4, Sr., S/OH, Glenbard East

• Joe Kelly, 6-2, Sr., S, Wheaton Warrenville South

• Mike Segneri, 6-0, Sr., S, St. Francis

• Joe Smalzer, 6-7, Sr., OH, Marist