New Trier scored its biggest volleyball victory in more than a decade by toppling tournament favorite Brother Rice in Friday’s state quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates.
Senior Jack Polales had a game-high 12 kills and five blocks as the Trevians handed the Crusaders their first loss of the season 25-20, 21-25, 25-23.
New Trier (31-7) meets Lincoln-Way East in Saturday’s semifinals, seeking a state volleyball trophy for the first time since winning the 1996 title.
“We were pumped up to come out and play them,” said Polales, who with teammate Ted Garard found repeated success in the middle. “We never thought for a second that they were going to beat us.”
Polales had seven kills in a third-game thriller that featured 13 ties.
Matt Gallik paced Rice with eight kills and two blocks. Josh Scaletta had 27 assists.
Lincoln-Way East d. Mundelein: East middle hitter Mario Vivona collected 13 kills and three blocks as the Griffins (35-4) advanced to the semifinals for the first time.
They also snapped Mundelein’s 21-match winning streak in the process.
Senior outside hitter Spenser Clark paced Mundelein with 13 kills, while Mike McElligott added 12.
Wheaton South d. Downers South: The Tigers (35-4) beat the Mustangs for the fourth time this season — all three-game affairs — as senior middle Matt Sayers recorded 15 kills. Chris Toth led the Downers South with 10 kills and four aces.
Neuqua Valley d. Young: The Wildcats’ experience and speed gave them the edge over the first Public League state qualifier since 1996. Junior outside Jake Blackman led Neuqua (35-4-1) with eight kills. Brothers Michal and Konrad Klimek paced Young (28-7) with three each.
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At Hoffman Estates
Friday’s results
Quarterfinals
Wheaton S. d. Downers S.
23-25, 25-15, 25-22
Neuqua Valley d. Young
25-13, 25-16
Lincoln-Way E. d. Mundelein
25-22, 22-25, 25-21
New Trier d. Brother Rice
25-20, 21-25, 25-23
Saturday’s schedule
Semifinals
Wheaton South vs. Neuqua Valley, 10 a.m.
New Trier vs. Lincoln-Way East, 11
Third-place match, 4 p.m.
Championship 5:15
