Downers Grove South survives Naperville North comeback

For a while it looked like Naperville North’s boys volleyball team would complete a startling comeback.

Down by 10 points to Downers Grove South in Game 3 of their Proviso West sectional semifinal, the Huskies battled back to within a point before losing 25-23.

“That’s one to remember, huh?” asked Huskies coach Nate Bornacin.

Downers Grove South won the first game 25-12, and the Huskies won the second game 25-15.

The Huskies trailed 14-4 when they came alive in the third game. They pulled to 23-22 and then 24-23 on a Brennan Wiest tip kill, but the Mustangs won the final point to end the Huskies’ comeback bid.

“That’s all on the kids. We have a great group of kids,” Bornacin said. “They really battled, and it’s just a credit to our seniors and the way our juniors were working for our seniors just as a whole. I’m really impressed with them.”

Bornacin wasn’t so impressed with the first two games.

“I thought both teams played poorly in Games 1 and 2. When you see a sectional match against, in my opinion, two of the top 10 teams in the state, you don’t expect blowout Game 1, blowout Game 2. You expect more of what you saw in Game 3.”

Brennan Wiest finished with 11 kills for Naperville North (24-13), Dan Koch had 8 kills, Jake Hafen added 4 kills. Kevin Romy notched 26 assists and 7 digs, and Nikolai Jackowski had 11 digs.

“I thought Brennan Wiest had a phenomenal game,” Bornacin said.