Bryan Ahrendt is a big part of the Homewood-Flossmoor volleyball team’s offense. He’s also a huge part of the Vikings’ defense. The senior libero is an important part of pretty much everything they do.
Coach Mark Ciesielski calls him the team’s “quarterback.”
(David P. Funk/H-F Chronicle)
“I’m not a hitter. I’m not a setter. They don’t usually serve at me because they think I’m a better passer,” Ahrendt said. “So, I need to make sure I try my best to be something on that court, be the best teammate I can.”
Ahrendt was that way during the Vikings’ SouthWest Suburban Conference slate-opening win over Bradley-Bourbonnais on April 17. H-F took that one 25-22, 25-15 over the visiting Boilermakers.
The first set didn’t open as the Vikings would’ve liked. Bradley-Bourbonnais led for a portion before H-F tied it 18-18, then went on a 5-0 run. Ahrendt admitted his team may have looked by the Boilers a little bit.
“We just played sloppy. We did that yesterday, too, against Oak Forest. We just didn’t play our game,” Ciesielski said. “When we start focusing in and not making mistakes and do the little things, then we start playing well.”
Ahrendt, predictably, was there to get his team back on track.
If a teammate made a mistake, he was quick to talk them through it. After a big kill or a block, he was usually the first there to congratulate and celebrate. He actively tries to be a source of positivity.
He said he spent time over the last year watching college teams. He paid attention to high-level club teams. He noticed the player in the different-colored jersey was usually the most vocal.
“Last year, I wasn’t that guy. I was a very quiet libero,” Ahrendt said. “Last year, communication sucked and when someone messed up we just didn’t help them. It would track and then we would lose badly. I come to every single game and make sure everybody is upright and ready to play, no matter what.”
The win over Bradley-Bourbonnais sets the tone for the conference season for H-F, which aims to open eyes. Ahrendt said he heard things from players from other schools during the club season. The Vikings lost key pieces of last year’s roster to graduation and feel like they’re being overlooked.
“It doesn’t get any easier,” Ciesielski said. “We’re looking forward to (difficult matches). We want to do well in the conference season. The guys have some goals set and we’re looking forward to playing with just about anybody.”
Ahrendt said this squad has an underdog mentality.
“A lot of people really doubted us,” Ahrendt said. “This shows the conference that we’re still a big deal. We’re still in this. We’re not just somebody that you can just shut out. We’re still a good, competitive team.”
The Vikings are 14-1, as of April 17. Outside of a 2-1 loss at Reavis, they’ve only lost two sets all season. But the most difficult stretch of the season is still to come and Ahrendt isn’t content with how his team is currently playing.
“Not at all. I love my team, but we really took a step back the last few games,” he said. “We’ve got to lock in once games start and then finish. We’re a good team. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we have to play to our maximum potential.”