Boys volleyball: Neuqua Valley surprises Benet

Neuqua Valley boys volleyball coach Erich Mendoza told his team before Tuesday's regional semifinal against host Benet to just go out and play its game.

It worked. The Wildcats won in three games, 25-19, 24-26, 25-17, to advance to the Benet regional final Wednesday against West Aurora. The two teams have not met this season.

"I told the guys that all the pressure was on Benet. They are a fifth seed. We are a 12th seed. They are on their home court. I said go out and play volleyball," Mendoza said.

Neuqua came out big in the final game. A kill by Aaron McKinley put the Wildcats up 16-8. The Redwings, though, charged back, and a Neuqua hitting error pulled Benet to 19-16 and Mendoza called a timeout.

After the timeout Lukas Weber made good on a kill to make it 20-16 and got the ball back for the Wildcats. The subsequent serve was sent out of bounds for Benet's final point.

A kill by Tom Blondo made it 21-17, and Neuqua returned to serving. Kills by Blondo and Karl Deichmann and a Benet hitting error helped put the finishing touches on the game and match victory for the Wildcats.

"Today was one of the most fun volleyball matches we've played," said Deichmann, who shared kill leader honors with Aaron McKinley at 9.

Game 2 went down to the wire. With the score tied at 20, a block by Neuqua's Kevin Young put his team up 21-20. Benet tied it and then a kill by Deichmann put the Wildcats back up 22-21. Neuqua had the serve back and Deichmann followed with a block, and Benet coach Amy Van Eekeren called a timeout.

"Blocks get everyone rowdy. Everyone feeds off it," Deichmann said.

Benet cut the Neuqua advantage to 23-22. Jackson Van Eekeren took over serving and his ace tied the game. A kill by McKinley put Neuqua back into the lead at 24-23.

A hitting error by the Wildcats' tied it at 24. The server then went to Benet's Ben Mazza. Another Neuqua hitting error and a kill by John Folts clinched the game for Benet.

The Wildcats controlled practically all of Game 1. A tip kill by Austin O'Malley put the Wildcats up 12-5. Benet tied the game at 15. Neuqua led the rest of the way and a kill and a block by Young, a Diechmann kill and a Benet hitting error were the final points the Wildcats needed to win the opening game.

"We were not in a rhythm for the second game. We were not passing well. In the first and third games, we passed really well," Mendoza said.

Mazza led the Redwings with 13 kills. Folts had 9.

"During the first set we had too many unforced errors," Amy Van Eekeren said. "Give a lot of credit to Neuqua. They played outstanding."