Team bonding lifts Fremd past Conant
Maybe it's the pasta parties, or the team sleepovers like the one Saturday night at senior Daniel Teschner's house.
Whatever the reason, the Fremd boys volleyball team is bonding, and it's showing on the court -- especially in their defensive play.
The Vikings didn't allow visiting Conant, which came in fresh off a tournament victory Saturday, many opportunities in a 26-24, 25-21 Mid-Suburban West win.
"We basically just hang out and spend a lot of time together," said Teschner of the sleepovers, which are planned prior to the start of the season.
And in addition to hanging out, the middle/outside hitter says volleyball is a big topic of conversation.
"It's great for team morale," said Teschner.
Fremd senior setter Ben Whitmer helped lead the Vikings' stellar defensive effort with 6 digs and also leaped high above the net for a block kill which gave Game 1 to the home team.
"Amazing, that's the only way I can describe it," said Whitmer of Fremd's defensive effort. "Not many balls hit the floor, that's for sure."
"It was an outstanding effort by the entire team," said Vikings coach Curt Pinley. "We kept the ball off the floor, and I think in the end it started to frustrate them a little."
Conant (17-7, 4-3) got terrific performances from middles Ken Ropiak (9 kills) and Johnny Pontarelli (5 kills) as the Cougars, who went 4-1 over the weekend to win the Hersey Invite, fell short in Tuesday's battle for first place in the West.
"Our middles were very strong," said Conant coach Peggy Scholten, "and that was nice to see.
"They (Fremd) had tremendous enthusiasm, and we didn't respond. The most inconsistent thing about us is trying to find that team personality. I never know which team is going to show up."
Daniel Brophy was 10-of-11 on serve receive for Fremd (17-7, 5-2) while defensive specialist Chris Chandler finished 14-of-14 passing with 5 digs.
Kevin Prest led the Vikings, who have won 9 of 10 over the last 12 days, with 9 kills while sophomore middle Steven Maring scored 3 consecutive block kills to close out the match.
"We got our confidence back," said Whitmer, pointing to a big win over rival Barrington on April 17 that started the current hot streak. "We started playing together as a team. We had high hopes at the beginning of the season to finish first in conference, and now we're starting to realize that."
"We starting to trust each other," said Teschner. "The blockers are trusting the passers, and the hitters are trusting the setters.
"We're trusting our teammates and getting it done."
Hersey d. Elk Grove:ŒJack Welter served 4 aces and Griffin Dwyer had a team-best 7 kills to help the Huskies (9-9, 3-4) edge the Grenadiers 26-24, 25-22 in MSL East action.
Bryan Skwirut came up with a match-best 13 kills and Jon Condon provided 20 assists for Elk Grove, which suffered just its third loss and fell to 17-3 overall and 4-3 in the East.
Meadows d. Prospect: Weston Genovese came up with 9 kills and Matt Vinezeano had 6 as Rolling Meadows (9-8 overall, 3-5 MSL East) topped Prospect 25-16, 25-23.
Palatine d. Hoffman Estates:ŒRonny Lampen delivered 16 kills and setter B.J. Boldog had 33 assists to help Palatine past Hoffman Estates 25-18, 23-25, 25-9.
Alex Martin led the way for the Hawks with 9 kills.
Barrington d. Schaumburg: Dan Frommeyer delivered a team-best 8 kills and 5 blocks to help the Broncos past Schaumburg 25-11, 23-25, 25-6.
Deerfield d. Maine West:ŒJim Voy had a team-best 6 kills and Brendan Joyce came up with 12 assists, but the Warriors feel to Deerfield 25-18, 25-20.
Benet d. St. Viator: Mike Czopek had 9 kills and John Lopez came up with 19 assists, but the Lions dropped a decision to the Redwings 17-25, 25-22, 17-25.