Special title for Grens
The regional championship two years ago against Rolling Meadows was nice.
But this was something special for these nine Elk Grove seniors.
Hosting their first boys volleyball regional in 15 years, the third-seeded Grens followed up Tuesday's semifinal victory over No. 14 seed St. Charles East, with a 26-24, 25-20 regional championship win against Glenbard North.
Elk Grove (23-8) takes on host and No. 2 seed St. Francis, a 25-15, 25-16 winner against Bartlett on Wednesday, in Friday's 7:30 p.m. sectional semifinal.
"A bunch of us were part of it two years ago, but we really wanted it this year for our seniors," Elk Grove senior Jonathan Tompary said after being swarmed by celebrating teammates as he helped raise the regional championship plaque. "We've been working our butts off the last four years to get this."
And with last season's heartbreaking, three-game regional final loss to West Chicago providing more than enough motivation, seniors Robin Philip (2 aces, 13 digs), John Condon (24 assists), Eric Freidenfelds (ace), Bryan Skwirut, Nick Mortensen (4 blocks) and the rest are looking to keep this run going for as long as possible.
"It's a completely different team than it was before," said Mortensen, referring to the Grens losing 4 of their final 7 regular-season matches. "It seems like I'm having so much more fun now."
If the Grens continue to play like they did on Wednesday night, it will continue to be. Elk Grove battled through nine ties in Game 1 before Mortensen and Skwirut (8 kills) teamed up for a block on game point.
"We played really tight tonight, I think that was the difference," said Elk Grove coach Dan Windholz. "We knew coming in it was going to be a tough match."
Elk Grove built a 13-7 lead in Game 2 as Tompary (9 kills) rolled off 3 consecutive service points. The No. 6 seed Panthers (18-13) could only pull as close as 18-16.
Conant d. Lake Park:ŒDan Aloisio hammered down 13 kills and came up with 10 blocks as the Cougars advanced with a 25-23, 25-22 victory in the West Chicago regional title match.
Conant (27-9) also got 11 kills and 2 blocks from Ken Ropiak. Drew Fischer and Ryan Schraub effectively split the setting duties with Schraub also contributing 7 attack kills, libero David Kim was 14-for-14 serving and the team's unsung hero, Peter Lauterbach, was 15-of-15 on serve receive with 14 digs.
"The strength of this team is that they play together," said Conant coach Peggy Scholten. "Even in the losses we've had, we've been able to put together strong comebacks. It's a mature, confident team."
The Cougars, who won three tournaments in the regular season, advance to the St. Francis sectional semifinals and will meet top-seed Wheaton Warrenville South at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Tigers, who have won the state championship in three of the last four years, rolled past St. Charles North 25-13, 25-17 on Wednesday in a regional championship match in their own gym.
Fremd d. Deerfield: ŒFor the first time since 1993, Fremd is playing for a sectional title.
Coach Curt Pinley's Vikings outlasted Deerfield 25-21, 29-31, 25-21 in the championship of the Highland Park regional.
It was the third regional crown for the Vikings in their boys volleyball history. They also win one in 1992.
Next up for Fremd (27-9) is a rematch with top-seeded Buffalo Grove (27-5) Friday in the 6:30 p.m. semifinal of the Stevenson sectional.
Just over a week ago, the two teams played for the Mid-Suburban League championship on the Vikings' floor.
BG won 25-21 25-19 in a match where Fremd was led by Kevin Prest's 7 kills and and 22 assists from setter Ben Whitmer.