Senior libero Liam Reilley knows the Riverside Brookfield High School boys volleyball team lost many of its strongest offensive weapons. So the Bulldogs are responding by relying on balance.
“Last year, we were very middle-centered [offense], but we’re going to do a lot more everywhere else,” Reilley said. “We can [attack] from anywhere, from outside, right side, back row and the middle, of course.”
The Bulldogs have the momentum and motivation from last year’s 23-14 finish that included a Metro Suburban Conference championship with a 7-0 record — the first conference championship in program history.
RBHS captured the MSC in a dramatic 25-20, 27-25 winner-take-all showdown at St. Francis but then lost to the Spartans 27-17, 22-25, 25-14 in the St. Francis Regional semifinals.
The 5-foot-10 Reilley and 6-1 senior middle hitter Sam Shelven are the lone returning starters. Reilley was among the Bulldogs’ five All-MSC players.
The Bulldogs have started 1-4, beating St. Ignatius 25-16, 25-14, March 22, and losing to Mt. Carmel in three sets, March 23.
Riverside-Brookfield’s James Long (11) follows through on a spike against Morton during a nonconference match Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Cicero, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Francisco Cervantes (3) sets the ball against Morton during a nonconference match Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Cicero, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Liam Reilley (9) returns a serve by Morton during a nonconference match Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Cicero, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Makoto Scheuermann (8) and Jack Schejbal (16) return a serve by Morton during a nonconference match Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Cicero, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“We lost a lot of leadership, offense and passing from last year’s team, so we have tried to focus on rebuilding those aspects,” RBHS coach Dan Bonarigo responded. “[Our goals are] win a conference championship and be competitive in all matches. [Our keys are] passing, effort and smart and timely decision-making.”
Four seniors also are returning letter winners — outside hitters Mak Scheuermann and Garrett Angshed (both 6 feet), right-side hitter Campbell Duncan, and setter Frankie Cervantes. Junior newcomers are 6-1 middle hitter Alec Oltrogge, setter Liam Keohane and outside hitters Jack Schejbal, TJ Austin, James Long and Cole Rubio, all between 6-2 and 6-0.
“We have a cohesive group, many of whom are versatile and can play multiple positions,” Bonarigo said.
Reilley led the 2023 Bulldogs in digs (208) and service receptions (412) and was fifth in aces (12). Shelven was second in total blocks (54) and third in kills (112).
This season, Reilley already has 33 digs and 34 serve receptions, more than triple or double anyone else, respectively. Other overall leaders include Shelven (11 kills), Duncan (7 kills), Keohane and Cervantes (19 assists each), Scheurmann and Schejbal (3 aces each) and Oltrogge (3 total blocks).
“I’ve got to be a little better than last year. There’s always stuff I can work on,” Reilley said. “I can get a lot more balls than last year. I can serve receive a lot better and get my serves in more. [I hope to] be a presence of energy and something to help everybody.”
Reilley said he and Shelven also are trying to replicate traditions and “little things” in practice done by last year’s senior group, which included All-MSC middle Sebastian Ciszewski (named the conference’s MVP), Landon Harazin, Iggy Bielobradek and Thomas Dixon.
“We always try to make sure we’re being loud, enthusiastic and energetic and every day bring something that will translate to us getting wins,” Reilley said.