Same tournament. Same finalists. Same outcome.
Top-ranked Naperville North swept No. 3 Glenbrook South 15-8, 15-7 Saturday to win its own volleyball invitational for the second straight year.
But it was quite a different Huskies team that beat the Titans this time around.
“Last year it was (setter) Keith Barnett and his five little hitters,” said senior Mason Phelps, who had nine kills in the title game. “This year, it’s six guys who really come out and take care of business.”
Take care business they did. Naperville North (18-0) breezed through pool play, then rebounded from a 15-12 first-game semifinal loss to Oak Lawn to beat the Spartans in the next two games and gain the championship rematch with Glenbrook South.
Although many Huskies are back from last season’s 32-2 team, “this year we’re a different team,” said coach Laura Bruce. “We’re so balanced, it’s not like I can say one guy did it all.”
Naperville North trailed only once in the title match. After Glenbrook South grabbed a 2-1 lead, Phelps tied the game with a service ace, then added a kill a few minutes later as the Huskies went on a 6-2 surge for an 8-4 lead.
The Titans (11-1) fought back with three straight points. But Naperville North responded with a game-winning 7-1 run.
The Huskies built a 6-1 lead to open the second game. The Titans crept back to within 7-4, but North outscored Glenbrook South 6-1 to take a commanding lead.
Naperville North setter Rob Ridenour closed with 20 assists, while Tim O’Brien paced Glenbrook South with eight kills.
The Huskies swept through pool play with victories over Lyons Township, Waukegan and Lockport.
In the semifinals, the Huskies had a more difficult time as Oak Lawn rallied from a 9-2 deficit to claim a 15-12 first-game victory.
Good balance and blocking made the difference as Naperville North rebounded impressively, taking the next two games 15-1, 15-4. Stoney White and Phelps had 10 kills apiece.
In the morning’s top pool-play game, Glenbrook South swept No. 5 Oak Lawn 17-15, 15-4 as O’Brien earned 15 kills. The Titans also defeated Elk Grove and St. Charles in other pool games, then shook off a semifinal challenge from Lockport to win in tthree games.
