Glenbrook N. blocks Elk Grove's path

Elk Grove's Sam Jasutis felt the Grens "didn't play our best" at Wednesday's regional final against Glenbrook North.

Especially at the net.

Elk Grove fell victim to some superior play in the middle by the Spartans in a 20-25, 25-19, 25-21 loss on their home court.

Six-foot-5 senior middle Rob Chatterton had 19 kills for Glenbrook.

"They're a good team," said Jasutis. "We played good too, but our blocking wasn't up to our usual standards.

"We're usually a good blocking team - that's what makes it so hard to take."

Setter Ray Kraus led Elk Grove with 26 assists.

"We had 5 total blocks in three games tonight," said Grenadiers coach Dan Windholz. "That tells you something, but that's what happens sometimes when you have guys that are 5-9 or 5-10 going up against guys that are 6-5."

As he has done so many times the season, Anthony Prochenski led Elk Grove to a set one win from the service line. Using a mixture of float and topspin serves, Prochenski turned a Grens deficit into a big lead in the first set win.

Set two was dominated by 8 kills from Chatterton.

"He had a solid game," said Glenbrook North coach Chris Cooper. "He's the guy we go to when we need a sideout, and he got them tonight even when they (Elk Grove) knew the ball was going to him."

The Grens held an early lead in the deciding set but Glenbrook North went on a run to extend to 22-16.

Two consecutive aces from Kevin Wickstrom got Elk Grove back in the game, and a Jasutis kill heped them draw even closer.

Then the Spartans were able to close and a final kill by Jeremy Doman gave the visitors the victory.

"We started playing with more composure," said Cooper of the first set defeat. "We were consistent (after that) and we made very few errors."

"We knew this match was going to be close," added Windholz, who's team finished the year at 25-12. "We were just hoping to be on the other end of the score."