Boys volleyball: Riverside-Brookfield edges Hinsdale Central for tourney title

Hinsdale Central was right where it wanted to be in Saturday's championship match of the Willowbrook tournament.

The Red Devils had forced a 20-20 tie in the third set on a kill by sophomore Cal Snyder and senior kill leader Mark Zelisko had rotated into the front row.

But two service errors later, even Zelisko could not resurrect the Red Devils' title hopes.

"We had chances to keep us in our good rotation and we missed two serves," said Hinsdale Central coach Mike Konrad. "That was the story of the match right there. If we put those serves in the court, we probably win the game."

Riverside-Brookfield (26-8) overcame a 19-14 deficit in Game 1 and scored the last 2 points of Game 3 to break a 23-23 tie and defeat Hinsdale Central 29-27, 25-27, 25-23.

The loss was Hinsdale Central's second in three tries against Riverside-Brookfield this season. The two teams could meet again in the sectional championship May 30.

"We could see them again," Zelisko said. "I'd like to get revenge. The games with them are all about runs and streaks. I expect every game to be down to the wire with those guys. I know them. I play club with them. It's really competitive with those guys."

Zelisko finished with 24 kills but was not satisfied with his performance.

"I expect to get a kill every time and I didn't feel like I was on today," he said. "We were coming off back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday, then played two games yesterday and two more today. I thought my shoulder was a little sore. I just tried to do the best I could."

Snyder added 11 kills for Hinsdale Central (24-10), which also got 38 assists from John Zolpe, 5 kills and 4 blocks from Owen Sarros and 9 digs from Thomas Nelson.

Addison Trail (18-15) bounced back from a 25-14, 25-20 loss in the semifinals to defeat Lake Zurich 27-25, 18-25, 25-22 for third place.

"We had too many hitting errors (in the first set against Hinsdale Central)," said Addison Trail coach Chad Grant. "I like our pieces and how we match up with teams. I feel like our middles and setter give us a unique look not many teams have, but our effort has to be more consistent."

West Aurora (24-7), which lost to Lake Zurich in the quarterfinals, beat Glenbard East (25-8) for the first time in three tries this season 17-25, 25-18, 25-19 in the fifth-place match.

"Lake Zurich played very well," said West Aurora coach Tolis Koskinaris. "We played average, but Lake Zurich had a really bad loss to Addison Trail (Friday) and our guys thought for whatever reason it wasn't going to be very hard. And our eyes were probably elsewhere. It's prom night. It's OK. It is what it is."

Host Willowbrook (13-17), which lost to Hinsdale Central 25-14, 21-25, 16-14 in pool play Friday, finished on a high note, defeating Joliet Catholic 25-22, 25-17 for seventh place behind junior outside hitter Tim Keefe and junior libero Buddy Martens.

"Honestly, we've had so many close games this year," said Willowbrook coach Ryan Bazon. "We were up 14-9 in the third set against Hinsdale Central last night. Same thing with West Aurora (a 25-21, 25-23 loss Saturday). But we're learning. We're getting better."