DeBoer ends up killing it at Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills senior Dylan DeBoer had a moment to think about his legacy at the school.
So he checked the volleyball records. Frankly, he wanted at least one to his name before he headed to college.
This, of course, is not easy as the Cougars have had a great deal of success in this spring sport.
"I saw the most kills in a single match and it was 23,'' DeBoer said. "I knew that was too high for me."
And then DeBoer and the Cougars went to the state tournament. After, that is, an upset win over Barrington in the sectional final.
"We were on such a high after the Barrington win,'' he said. "It was our best match of the season."
And the first match at the state tournament was against a club from downstate known as O'Fallon. And the Cougars got beat in set one, 31-29.
"I think it was a combination of a lack of emotion and some nervousness,'' he said.
In the second set, Vernon Hills again struggled.
And then DeBoer took over.
His 24 kills were a school record in the win over O'Fallon. He personally had more kills than the entire state teams of Lake Park, Hinsdale Central, Sandburg (in the third place game) and yes, his own Vernon Hills team in the title game.
DeBoer, for his historic performance in leading Vernon Hills to a second-place state finish, is the captain of the Daily Herald's all-area team for Lake County.
"I just hit the ball,'' the modest DeBoer said. "They just kept setting me."
Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry clearly enjoyed having this player in the program for the past four years.
"Dylan has had an incredible impact in our program,'' Curry said. "He'smade himself a top player in the state through sheer will and an incredible work ethic."
For the season, this outside hitter had 304 kills and 197 digs. His average of 3 kills per set puts him in select company as he joined just 11 players in the program's history.
"Those numbers don't even start to give evidence of his leadership,'' Curry said. "No one works harder, and no one's every tapped into more of his potential than Dylan."
DeBoer will take volleyball to college next year. He's headed East to the Stevens Institute of Technology. It's just across the river from New York City.
"I'm 6-foot-3 but I'm too short for Division One,'' DeBoer said. "So, I looked at Division III schools. I got an email from Stevens - my grandfather and I visited. I love that it's right in the city. It's a big family atmosphere. Plus I'd like to go into bio-medical engineering."
DeBoer was a baseball player until the eighth grade. And then a cousin checked in about the lure of volleyball. He was soon hooked.
"I really wanted to play a sport in college,'' DeBoer said. "And I thought I would have a better chance to play volleyball in college."
From the freshman A team playing opposite, to freshman B to play setter, DeBoer kept on improving.
"I went to a bunch of camps,'' he said. "And then I started with the Adversity club. That's where I got my boost. And then Coach Curry brought me up to the varsity. I loved that moment. I still remember my first point ever."
After his 24-kill performance at the state tournament, DeBoer was clearly at home in the post-game post conference. He likes to tell stories.
"He's also one of the most entertaining , easy-going players we've ever had,'' Curry said. "He totally embraces the way we want to play: laughing off mistakes and focusing on his teammate's successes, rather than his own.
"He'll be impossible to replace. No one else could possibly be this kid."