West Aurora takes 2nd at own tourney

West Aurora survived back-to-back three-set matches to advance to the championship of its boys invitational for the first time in three years.

But the Blackhawks' penchant for overcoming service mistakes ran out of steam in the championship against Joliet West Saturday afternoon in Aurora.

After dropping a 2-point nail-biter in the first game, West Aurora never led in the nightcap.

West Aurora fell to 3-2 on the young season with a 23-25, 19-25 loss against Joliet West.

"Our serving percentage today was very low," West Aurora coach Tolis Koskinaris said. "I'm kind of at a loss for words. I'm shocked that we were able to get through it. With our service rate, it was not what a winning team would have today."

But the Blackhawks do possess two powerful hitters in junior Justin Reynolds and sophomore Thomas Kovanic.

The former had 38 kills in the Blackhawks' four matches, including a match-high 13 in their 25-22, 20-25 and 25-21 semifinal victory over St. Charles North.

Kovanic had 9 of his 28 total kills against the North Stars.

"We're a killing team when we get good sets," Koskinaris said.

The North Stars are also 3-2 on the year after dropping the third-place match against Oswego.

Thomas and Kovanic had 5 kills each against Joliet West, but virtually every time West Aurora to have momentum on its side an unforced error seemed to intervene.

"We just have to minimize our errors," Reynolds said. "We're still a young team. We had a more cohesive time (in the three victories)."

Joliet West senior Jack Lyman had the last of his 4 aces to close out the Blackhawks.

West Aurora came no closer than 3 points to Joliet West (10-1) in the second set after a service error left them down 10-7.

"We just have on (serving) a little more in practice," Kovanic said. "(The loss in the final) was mostly just passing and errors. A lot of us couldn't put away the ball. I put away a few."

"Last year we were in the championship match at every one of our invites - and lost them all," Joliet West coach Jason Herrmann said. "It was nice to finish it off in two (sets)."

The Blackhawks began pool play with a two-game victory over Wheeling but needed three sets to subdue former DuPage Valley Conference rival Glenbard North.

It only served as a prelude to their three-game affair with St. Charles North.

"We should have beat West Aurora," St. Charles North coach Todd Weimer said. "I don't think we executed very well (against the Blackhawks). I don't know if (the players) were tired (in the third-place match against Oswego). We were fourth, and Geneva was sixth. I want to make sure we stay ahead of (Upstate Eight River member) Geneva."

Weimer said he was heartened by the play of senior Jack Koloziej.