Warren gets a pick-me-up

The Warren boys volleyball team had been stewing since Wednesday about its brief two-match losing streak.

What would improve the Blue Devils' mood?

How about a victory Monday against Buffalo Grove, the No. 1 seed in the Stevenson Sectional?

Warren, the No. 2 seed, rose to the challenge and broke Buffalo Grove's 16-match winning streak, a mark that went back to late March. After splitting the first two games 25-21 and 19-25, the Blue Devils edged the Bison 25-22 in the decisive game.

"We needed this going into the playoffs," Warren senior outside hitter Tyler Schwede said.

Warren coach Yun Chen sat Schwede for all of the first game and part of the second for missing a practice last week. When Schwede entered the game, his first serve went straight into the net.

He quickly calmed down and found his rhythm.

"Once my first serve-receive (went straight) to the setter, I was comfortable again," said Schwede, who had 5 of his 7 kills in the third game. "I started to play with a lot of confidence."

Warren (29-4) took control of the third game with four consecutive points to make the score 20-15. The final point in this run came when senior Jeff Halvorsen hit the ball over the net instead of setting it. After Halvorsen's point, the Bison called a timeout.

"It gives the other team a different look and (forces) them to watch me," Halvorsen said.

Buffalo Grove coach Matt Aiello said his team (21-5) was sluggish, especially in the early going.

"We came out flat," Aiello said. "We didn't play our style of defense and dictate the pace. With the No. 1 sectional seed, there's a target on our back. I told the guys this was a wakeup call."

Buffalo Grove senior Joe Ascher contributed a match-high 15 kills. Senior Jim Wizniak and junior Chris Falknor each had 7 kills. Senior libero Matt Bronson had 32 digs.

"(Matt) doesn't get enough recognition," senior setter Tom Angerame said. "He's an incredible player."

Aiello doesn't expect this loss to derail the Bison.

"We didn't play our best and we still had an opportunity to win," he said. "We won't pout. We'll go back into the gym and work."

Senior Ryan Schuette's 10 kills paced Warren's attack. Senior Mike McNally came through with 8 kills and 4 blocks. Halvorsen finished with 33 assists, and senior Gordon Booker totaled 19 digs.

Junior middle blocker Michael Metzler (3 kills, 1 block) had one of his better performances of the season.

"We threw him in there, and he (played) well," Chen said. "He had some key touches on the ball."