Bronke resigns from Barrington

Christopher Bronke estimates that he has coached 20 different high school and club volleyball teams in the last 10 years. Now the Barrington girls volleyball coach hopes to take a break, which is why Bronke Monday announced his resignation after the season ends.

Bronke, 29, took over a Fillies program that had its greatest success under former coach Karen Traub, who led Barrington to Class AA state runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2003. Bronke's first team in 2006 went 33-10 and won the Mid-Suburban League championship while finishing fourth in Class AA after a 17-25, 25-12, 25-18 loss to Joliet Catholic.

Bronke said he and his wife Kristen, who is also a teacher and a coach, would like to start a family. Bronke also plans on pursuing an advanced degree.

"I've thought about this for a while," Bronke said. "I felt I owed it to the seniors to let them know where we were. We have good leadership and it's their last year here. I told them, 'I'm a senior with you now.'"

Bronke told his team about his plans Oct. 15 before the Fillies (19-16) finished 17th place in Glenbard East's Autumnfest. Barrington finished second in the MSL West this season with an 8-2 record.

Bronke will return in the spring as Rob Ridenour's varsity assistant coach with Barrington's boys volleyball team.

In five years, Bronke went 96-92. This year's team has won 17 of its last 24 matches after starting the season 2-9. The Fillies open the Class 4A Cary-Grove Regional at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against McHenry. The winner would likely play the defending champion and host Trojans (35-0), who have won 51 consecutive matches and hope to become the first undefeated large-school state champion since Mother McAuley in 1982.

"We are very supportive and understanding of Chris' decision," Barrington Athletic Director Mike Obsuszt said in a statement. "We appreciate all he has done for our girls' volleyball program over the past five seasons. Serving as the coach of a varsity program requires a tremendous year-round commitment, which doesn't leave much time for family or other interests."

Before coming to Barrington, Bronke was an assistant coach at Prairie Ridge for two years and helped coach the Wolves to second place in 2005. Prairie Ridge beat Barrington in the regional final that season.

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