Risley leads Libertyville's upset of VH
Dream matches are so common in the prep arena, but if there was one, this was it.
Between the Vernon Hills and Libertyville boys volleyball teams, there's not only a crosstown rivalry but a split record during the regular season as well.
Heck, even the mascots were challenging each other Tuesday night at Vernon Hills.
But for as many storylines that ran through the match, only one rang through -- on this night, Libertyville was the better team.
The No. 11 Wildcats upset No. 6 Vernon Hills 25-22, 25-17.
Libertyville (18-17) will meet No. 3 Lake Forest for the regional final at 7 p.m. today. Vernon Hills closes out the season at 21-15.
"It's always fun when we play Vernon Hills and the fact that it was the regional heightened it," Libertyville middle hitter Chris Risley said. "Both crowds were loud so it really pumped us up."
Risley was plenty pumped up, as he finished 12-of-12 hitting with 10 kills. Teammate Tom Hannum was 13 of 13 with 6 kills. In all, the Risley and Hannum had almost as many kills as the entire Cougar offense.
Vernon Hills' Dave Siegel and Keegan Harris led with 5e kills apiece, while Herman Lynn added four.
"Offensively, we just didn't connect within our system," Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry said. "There was very little offense on our side because we just weren't playing within our system."
In the first game, Vernon Hills started out in control with three straight points, but Libertyville was quick to answer back. The Wildcats went on a 10-3 run capped off by a Risley service ace to take control with a 10-6 lead.
Facing a 18-13 deficit, the Cougars went on a 6-2 run of their own with a block point by Siegel. Siegel's point pulled Vernon Hills within 20-19, but the Wildcats stopped the bleeding for the 25-22 win.
While the first game was a close battle, Libertyville made quick work of Vernon Hills in the second contest. The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-8 lead and never looked back.
"We've got some guys who are really starting to play good volleyball now," Libertyville coach Steve Rochon said. "We're beginning to play within the system and I think that showed tonight."
Libertyville won the first match with Vernon Hills this season before the Cougars took the second.
"We came in and we really wanted to beat them," Hannum said. "Last week, we came in and lost to them and lost our place in the conference. Because of that, we wanted to do whatever we could to beat them.
"We've had a long rivalry, so it was pretty nice to (win)."
Stevenson d. Palatine: At Palatine, the eighth-seeded Patriots prevailed 25-21, 27-25 to earn a berth in today's 7 p.m. regional final against top-seeded Buffalo Grove.
Brad Feiger pounded 10 kills for Stevenson (21-14), while Drew Vravick added nine. Kyle Buck contributed 6 kills in the win, and Jason Giecek dished out 26 assists.
Harrison Kay recorded a team-best 10 digs for Stevenson. Matt Ockrim had 2 solo and 3 assisted blocks. Buck also had a pair of solo blocks.
Warren d. Mundelein: At Antioch, the second-seeded Blue Devils won 25-18, 25-23 to advance to today's 7 p.m. regional final.
No. 15 Mundelein (11-25), which led the second game 23-20, received 4 kills apiece from John McElligott and Mitchell Baumgartner. Tim Tokarz lofted 13 assists, while Connor Johnson and McElligott each had 6 digs.
Carmel d. Hersey: At Antioch, the Corsairs pulled out a 25-22, 25-19 win over the 10th-seeded Huskies.
No. 7 Carmel Catholic (25-11) plays Warren at 7 p.m. today for the regional championship.
Josh Garwood delivered 6 kills and 3 aces for the Corsairs, who received 4 kills apiece from Erik Liederbach, Zach Engels and Joe Sponseller. Sponseller had 4 solo and 7 assisted blocks, as well.
Evan Linsner chipped in 8 digs. Mike Geske and Mike Dietrich had 13 and 8 assists, respectively.
"A very well-played (match) and balanced attack tonight," Carmel coach Kevin Nylen said. "(We) took advantage of Hersey's mistakes. (It was) a good finish, as Hersey fought all the way to the end.
"Great all-around play by Zach Engels and big kills by Liederbach, Garwood and Sponseller."
Lake Forest d. Wheeling: At Vernon Hills, the third-seeded Scouts captured a 25-12, 25-19 decision.
Lake Forest plays No. 11 Libertyville for the regional title at 7 p.m. today.