Fremd takes West title in volleyball

Fremd clinched the Mid-Suburban West title Tuesday night with a spine-tingling 25-21, 19-25, 25-21 boys volleyball victory over Barrington.

Senior outside hitter Daniel Brophy hammered 3 of his team high 9 kills down the stretch, and teammate Kevin Prest got the final kill to start the celebration for the Vikings.

"This was heartbreaking," said Barrington senior middle Dan Frommeyer after the Broncos took a late-game 3-point lead only to fall short. "We couldn't close them out. I can't put my finger on why right now, but I know I won't sleep tonight."

Setter Christian La Bar recorded 37 assists while outside hitter Randy Lorenz had 14 kills for the drained Broncos, many of whom sat in stunned silence on the bench at the conclusion of the match, a few with towels draped over their heads.

"I'm very proud of our team," said Barrington coach Rob Ridenour. "You could tell, emotionally, how much they really wanted this match. They didn't get the result they wanted, but they left it all on the court."

"The bottom line is Fremd was the better team tonight. It's a testament to them."

Senior Kyle Lehner added 7 kills and 9 digs for to lead Fremd (20-7, 7-2) to their sixth straight conference victory.

The Vikings will play East champion Buffalo Grove next Wednesday for the MSL championship.

"These guys wanted the conference championsip at the beginning of the season," said Fremd coach Curt Pinley of his squad, "but they didn't know how to put the work in to earn it.

"As the season has gone on they've done an excellent job, and they've learned how to earn it."

A block kill by Prest gave Fremd Game 1, but Barrington stormed back in Ggame 2 behind an unstoppable Lorenz to tie the match.

"We didn't close out well in Game 2," said Brophy. "Between games two and three we talked about getting an early lead, getting on a run, and closing out the match."

Fremd did just that, scoring the first 4 points of the deciding game, but Barrington (16-16, 5-4) rallied and a huge Frommeyer block of a Prest kill attempt game the Broncos a 17-16 lead.

Then behind a couple of kills from Brophy and Lehner and a solid block from sophomore Steve Maring, Fremd stormed back and grabbed a 4-point lead.

A late kill by Barrington senior Chris Michelotti wasn't enough as Prest closed it out for Fremd.

"Barrington is a great team," said Pinley. "Both teams played at a high level tonight and rose to the challenge."

Maring finished with 5 block kills for the Vikings while senior Wade Lernihan (11 kills) and Frommeyer (7 kills) contributed for Barrington.

"Everyone on our team gave it all they had tonight," said Frommeyer. "There's not a single guy who didn't."

The Vikings and Broncos could meet again this season in the playoffs if both teams advance to the finals of the Highland Park regional.

"We'd have to get by a couple of good teams (Zion-Benton and Deerfield) to do that," said Ridenour. "If we did, it would be exciting."