Sandburg senior Colin Ensalaco knows his future belongs in the back row. Until then, it’s bombs away for one of the state’s most complete outside hitters.
Recruited by Ball State to play libero, Ensalaco is showing his worth by leading the Eagles in kills. The 6-foot-2 captain is doing so with court vision, an array of shots and sneaky athleticism.
“It’s fun to get a chance to hit again — one last go-around,” Ensalaco said. “I’m getting great sets and it’s easy to put it down.”
Passing is easy, too, which is why opposing teams avoid serving to Ensalaco.
“It gets frustrating,” Ensalaco said. “I try to take as many serves as possible. I think serve receive is the most important part of volleyball. Digging is just a bonus on good, hard hits, but you can control the game with your passing.”
Sandburg finished fourth at state in 2015 with Ensalaco at libero. He moved to outside hitter last season opposite current Ohio State redshirt freshman Jake Hanes and the Eagles placed third.
Ensalaco’s been there and done that, which helps make him a respected leader, according to coach David Vales.
“I sent a text to (former Sandburg coach Sean) Airola that this is one of the best leaders I’ve ever had,” Vales said. “Colin’s quick to ask questions and bounce ideas off. When your best players act like that, the people behind follow suit.”
It’s no surprise that Ensalaco is a student of the game.
“When I get home after a match, I like to watch the game and see what I did well and what I can improve on,” Ensalaco said. “I’m thinking about the team and how we can get better. I’m always thinking about volleyball. It’s a big part of my life.”
Ensalaco looks for his third all-tournament performance in as many invites this weekend when Sandburg (9-5) tackles the 24-team Lincoln-Way East Invite on Friday and Saturday.
Prom dates: The Eagles are seeded fourth at the Lincoln-Way East Invite, behind Lake Park, Brother Rice and the host Griffins.
Despite a high seed, it might prove difficult for Lincoln-Way East to advance out of pool play and into Saturday’s gold bracket. The Griffins will be without their seniors Friday night due to prom.
Meanwhile, Lake Park (20-1) is the rightful top seed following a victory over defending state champion Glenbard West (16-1) at the 24-team Tiger Classic.
Three-peat: Marist’s Jack Berglind picked up all-tournament honors last weekend at Brother Rice’s 24-team Smack Attack. The senior libero even took some swings at outside hitter while collecting his third all-tournament honor in three tries.
“I don’t know if a libero’s ever won player of the year, but Jack should be in the conversation because of everything he does for us,” Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said.
Berglind sprained his knee in his last match at the Smack Attack, a victory over Lincoln-Way West, and is considered day-to-day.
All-tournament: Other Southland athletes named all-tournament at the Smack Attack were Brother Rice’s Tom Kleist and Joe Kenzinger, Lincoln-Way Central’s Eric Phelan, Lincoln-Way East’s Ian Piet, Lincoln-Way West’s Max Rosenfeld, Providence’s Tyler Korhorn and St. Rita’s Brendan Murney.
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
TOP 10
With records through Wednesday and last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Brother Rice 19-5 (1)
2. Lincoln-Way East 18-5 (7)
3. Lockport 22-2 (5)
4. Sandburg 9-5 (8)
5. Lincoln-Way Central 18-5 (4)
6. Marist 19-4 (3)
7. Andrew 11-7 (6)
8. Lincoln-Way West 14-4 (2)
9. Oak Forest 10-7 (9)
10. Stagg 10-6 (10)
Player of the Week: Senior middle hitter Joe Kenzinger lifted Brother Rice to a second-place finish in their 24-team Smack Attack last weekend. The 6-foot-6 Lewis was named all-tournament.
