Experience keys Hornets' victory at St. Charles East

The Hinsdale South boys volleyball team enjoyed a tremendous advantage before taking the court in its nonconference season opener with St. Charles East.

"We have only one club player," explained St. Charles East coach Stephanie Gooden. "(Hinsdale South) has 10. They were three months ahead of us."

The Saints were also handicapped by their youthful character -- only two seniors on the team -- and the Hornets took full advantage.

With a defensive-minded approach as its linchpin, Hinsdale South trailed only once -- 1-0 in the second game -- in its 25-21, 25-20 victory Tuesday night in St. Charles.

Jim Barham had 3 of his 6 kills in the opening stages of the first game, which began with Dave Jung serving the first 4 points for the Hornets.

It was a cushion Hinsdale South (1-0) would maintain the entire first game.

The Saints (0-1) never came closer than 2 points the rest of the first game.

"Inexperience," St. Charles East senior Chris Brucher said of the Saints' primary handicap. "I think we'll do well once we get used to the speed and tempo. That's the biggest thing is getting used to the speed."

Hinsdale South appeared to be in cruise control in the opener, taking a 22-12 lead off a Saints miscue.

But the Saints' Sean Kelly engineered a late rally, using an ace as part of a 4-point service run.

St. Charles East staved off game point twice, but a service foot fault put the first game in the Hornets' column.

Jeff Jones' ace gave St. Charles East its lone lead of the night to start the second game, but a series of violations and hitting mistakes put Hinsdale South back in control.

The Hornets scored 13 of the first 18 points to take command early in the second.

"It's a great way to start our season," Hinsdale South Brandon Skweres said. "Our defense is out of control, and that's what we need. They (Hinsdale South players) all go for the ball. We kept the ball alive so many times."

Repeating its late-run mentality of the first game, St. Charles East stormed back to create a second and third tie, respectively, at 17-17 and 19-19.

But Jeff Kohlsaat was lethal for the Hornets from all over the court.

The senior outside hitter had 3 back-row kills in the second game, and Kinan Hayani gave Hinsdale South a 20-19 lead with another kill.

St. Charles East stayed within 21-20, but three different Hinsdale South players had kills, including the match-winner from Kohlsaat, to prevail.

"I think by the middle of the season we can do some damage," Gooden said.

Jack Rasmussen and Eric Coleman were the offensive leaders for St. Charles East, which also received 13 assists from Jones.