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Boys volleyball: Glenbard West wins third straight state championship

Prior to Glenbard West's match against Lincoln-Way East on Saturday at Hoffman Estates, senior Matt Scruggs was asked about the possibility of joining an elite group of players who have been on three consecutive state championship teams.

"I believe the big thing is being part of those two (previous state title) teams was amazing," Scruggs said. "Johnny (Winkler) and I and even the other guys who played last year loved every second of it. But those aren't our state titles. That's not our legacy.

"If we don't finish this, those (two previous titles) don't really mean anything," he added.

Scruggs can rest easy knowing his legacy is secure.

Glenbard West completed only the second three-peat in IHSA boys volleyball history with a 25-21, 20-25, 25-16 victory over Lincoln-Way East. Robert Murphy had 10 kills, Cameron Lilly added 9 kills, 6-foot-9 junior J.T. Ardell had 7 kills and 5 blocks and Sean Farmer added 32 assists and 4 kills.

Scruggs and Winkler became only the sixth and seventh players to win three straight state titles, joining the Wheaton Warrenville South quintet of Joe Kelly, Kevin Mueller, Rob Samp, Neill Nystrom and Neil Whittington, who were part of three state championship teams from 2007-09.

"It's nice for us to finally get ours," Scruggs said. "It was a heck of a ride being out there. Lincoln-Way East is a pretty phenomenal team. I have to give credit to everyone on our team and the coaching staff. Without them this would not have happened."

Glenbard West (41-1) appeared headed to a sweep of the Griffins when a kill by Winkler gave the Hilltoppers a 17-15 lead in Game 2 and forced a Lincoln-Way East timeout. But the Griffins rallied, closing the set on a 10-3 run.

"We told each other after the second set that this is going be our last game together as a team, and we want to go out on top as seniors and leave our legacy," Murphy said. "We didn't play our best volleyball in the second set. In the third set we just wanted to make it happen. We had to really fight for it and dig deep.

"This is an unreal way for us 12 seniors to end our careers here at Glenbard West," he said.

The Hilltoppers stormed to leads of 11-6 and 18-12 in Game 3 and the Griffins never threatened. Murphy's 5 kills and 3 each from Cameron Lilly, Winkler and Scruggs kept Lincoln-Way East at a safe distance.

"It's a tribute to our mental fortitude," Lilly said. "All the captains came together after the second set and talked it over. We knew what we had to do."

Junior Ian Piet had 13 kills for Lincoln-Way East (34-8), which upset Lake Park in the semifinals.

"We had a couple of bad breaks, some unlucky plays and (the Hilltoppers) were playing terrific," said Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore. "Our guys were battling their tails off. We were taking full cuts at the ball and they were just digging everything. Every kid who played for us left everything out on the court, and that's all you can really ask as a coach."

Lake Park (39-2) bounced back from its semifinal loss to Lincoln-Way East to defeat Brother Rice 20-25, 25-22, 25-22 in the third-place match. Jordan Haigh led the Lancers with 12 kills, Jack Fischer added 11 kills and Justin Yost had 34 assists.

  Glenbard West's Zac Norvid celebrates the state championship with his teammates following the boys state volleyball final at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West players celebrate the state championship following their victory over Lincoln-Way East at the boys state volleyball final at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Sean Farmer sets the ball during the boys state volleyball final against Lincoln-Way East at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Cameron Lilly leaps for a kill during the boys state volleyball final against Lincoln-WayEast at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Sean Farmer, middle, and Jack Ardell leap to block a ball hit by Lincoln-Way East's Ian Piet during the boys state volleyball final at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West coach Christine Giunta-Mayer leads her team during a timeout the boys state volleyball final against Lincoln-Way Eastat Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Jack Ardell tips the ball over the net during the boys state volleyball final against Lincoln-Way East at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Robert Murphy attempts a kill in front of Lincoln-Way East's Matt Shemanski during the boys state volleyball final at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Sean Farmer blocks a ball hit by Lincoln-Way East's Ian Piet during the boys state volleyball final at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard West's Cameron Lilly gets a congratulatory hug from coach Christine Giunta-Mayer following the boys state volleyball final against Lincoln-Way East at Hoffman Estates High School Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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