If there can be a lesson learned for Glenbrook South as it continues its way through the state boys volleyball playoffs, it may be that there is never a safe lead.
On Friday night, the fifth-ranked Titans (29-4) led by at least eight points in each game before enduring Stevenson comebacks in their 15-7, 15-11 sectional semifinal victory at Highland Park.
Stevenson scored the first point of Game 1, but Glenbrook South matched it and then added eight more as it jumped to a 9-1 lead. Stevenson responded with five consecutive points to trail just 9-6, but that was the closest the Patriots would get.
In Game 2, Glenbrook South led 4-3 before rolling off nine straight to extend its lead to 13-3. But as in Game 1, Stevenson answered with eight points to come within 13-11. Again, however, the rally fell short.
“I’m happy we got through it,” said Glenbrook South coach Patti Iverson. “We had never seen them before, but they just kept coming at us.
“Normally a team that’s down that much usually dies, and they didn’t.”
David Mattas had 16 kills and David Kim added 25 assists for Glenbrook South. The Titans will meet No. 6 Glenbrook North Saturday in the sectional final.
Stevenson was paced by Gerrit Polidoro’s nine kills, five blocks and two digs and Mike Maksymec’s 11 digs.
The Patriots finished the season with a school-record 27 victories–against nine losses.
In the other semifinal, Glenbrook North swept New Trier 15-13, 15-11 with James Claney’s 15 kills, Sung Choi’s 13 and Chris Mengarelli’s 11 kills and seven aces. Mengarelli has collected 15 aces in his last two matches. New Trier, which had won 14 of its last 15 matches heading into the semifinal, finished at 21-17.
Other sectional semifinal results:
Addison Trail: Schaumburg (25-8) advanced to the sectional championship match for the second straight year with a 15-12, 8-15, 15-13 victory over Maine South (24-14). Eric Hauswirth led the Saxons with 21 kills and seven blocks and Brennan Pomroy added 18 kills and six blocks.
In the other semifinal, Ben Slad had 15 kills and six blocks as Lake Park (23-12) defeated Fenton 10-15, 15-8, 15-8.
Barrington: Matt Aiello served eight straight points in Game 1, including three aces in the run, and added 16 assists as Buffalo Grove (29-9) surprised third-ranked Fremd 15-10, 15-8. Scott Miller had 10 kills for the victors. Fremd is 26-4.
Setter Kevin Hallen wasn’t in action Friday because of a sprained ankle he suffered Wednesday night in Prospect’s victory over Carmel. But the fourth-ranked Knights defeated Palatine 16-18, 15-11, 15-10 and improved to 32-3.
Freshman replacement setter Kristian Krzyzak recorded four errors in 84 setting attempts and totaled 39 assists. Chris Pontarelli and Kevin Kowal had 21 kills each for the victors.
Dan Javin led Palatine (25-13) with 15 kills.
Evanston: Sixth-ranked Evanston tallied the final five points of Game 1 and then opened Game 2 scoring the first six points as the host Wildkits (30-6) defeated Von Steuben 15-9, 15-1. Jeremy Hoff had seven kills and three aces and Adris Lizenberg added 18 assists for the victors. Von Steuben finished at 15-10.
Evanston will meet Niles West in Saturday’s final. Niles West (17-16) dispatched Mather 15-6, 15-7 Friday behind Curt Heller’s five kills and Bryan Paliza’s 16 assists.
“We’ve been practicing for Evanston because we knew if were going to get anywhere, that’s who we’d have to beat,” Niles West coach Jennifer Sinnicki said. “In practice we’ve been simulating Evanston’s attack.
Reavis: Tom Hushka had nine kills and Barry Dickinson and Blain Duesing added eight apiece as Stagg (29-10) downed Reavis 15-10, 15-12. Carl Gamauf paced Reavis (20-11) with nine kills.
Brother Rice (20-13) eliminated Oak Lawn 15-13, 14-16, 15-7 behind Dave Neberieza’s 13 kills and Dan Sanders’ nine. Bryan Kelly added nine kills in the two-hour match. Steve Joyce paced Oak Lawn (29-8) with eight kills.
St. Ignatius: Top-ranked Oak Park (34-1) defeated Kelly 15-6, 15-0 behind Tom Trantow’s nine kills and Jon Schultz’ four kills and four aces.
In the other semifinal, Andy McLachlan had 15 kills and Marco Quintana added 12 as Morton downed Mt. Carmel 15-5, 10-15, 15-6.
