'Soviet Block' proves to be one tough foe

Vernon Hills senior middle blocker Alex Tartakovsky already had an awesome nickname.

Whenever he would make a great play, his teammates would chant from the bench, "Russian Rocket, Russian Rocket."

It was as catchy and fun as it was alliterative.

Then, Tartakovsky went and made three consecutive blocks late in the third game of Vernon Hills' May 7 victory over Libertyville. His play was instrumental in the Cougars clinching at least a share of the North Suburban Conference title.

Based on that, a new nickname was suddenly warranted.

His teammates needed to rise to the challenge, and they came through in a big way.

Now, Tartakovsky answers to "The Soviet Block."

"I'm very proud of being Russian, and I like the nicknames," he said.

Tartakovsky moved with his family to the Chicago area when he was 5 years old. He quickly embraced the sport of basketball and started playing volleyball when he got to Vernon Hills.

"I've been loving volleyball ever since," Tartakovsky said.

Tartakovsky does not play club volleyball, so it took him a little time to be comfortable during his first varsity season. He had a breakthrough match in an April 23 victory over Stevenson and has been performing at a high level since.

"It seems like he's thinking less and enjoying it more," coach Chris Curry said. "He's been able to make adjustments and anticipate what's coming."

Tartakovsky will remember his 3 consecutive blocks against Libertyville for some time.

"It was very exciting, almost beyond belief," he said. "Our fans went crazy."

This was the program's first conference title since 2003. Boys volleyball is the first team at Vernon Hills to win two conference titles, although the softball and baseball teams will go for their second NSC championships Saturday.

The Cougars continued their stretch of strong play Saturday by winning the Cougar Classic for the third consecutive year. Junior Sam Lee had 87 assists to help the Cougars go 4-1. At the tournament, senior Jeff Achler set the school record for digs in a season (430).

Giecek gets it: Stevenson senior setter Jason Giecek's favorite drill in practice goes like this.

"It's one kid on the court with a coach," Stevenson coach Tim Crow said. "You have to get 10 touches on the ball. We'll hit the ball really hard and have them running all over the pace. Sometimes, the drill can go for up to a minute."

Not when it's Giecek's turn. Giecek has shown all season that he can cover the court quickly to keep points alive with diving passes.

"He's the best one I've coached at the drill," Crow said.

Giecek, in his second season as the team's starting setter, has helped the Patriots to a 19-14 record (through Tuesday).

"He's jump setting more this year and mixing up his sets," Crow said. "He's doing a better job of recognizing blocking matchups."

Giecek's improvement has not surprised Crow.

"He's a gym rat," Crow said. "He's all about volleyball."