Segneri spreads the wealth, sends Spartans to sectional

Moments after Wednesday's Rolling Meadows regional boys volleyball championship, St. Francis coach Mike Lynch was praising junior setter Mike Segneri.

"He did a great job getting all the hitters involved," said the 10th-year coach. "That's what makes it difficult for the opponent. They don't know where the ball is going."

The Spartans (34-3) are going to their second straight sectional after a 25-15, 25-16 triumph over Bartlett.

St. Francis returns to its home floor to host Elk Grove at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the sectional semifinal.

Segneri finished with 23 assists. His favorite targets were Bob Vonderhaar, Joey Murnane, Jeff Dixon and David Metzler.

As usual, New York University-bound libero Jay Hayes helped anchor the defense. He and Murnane each had 9 digs.

Bartlett stayed close early in Game 1. But the Spartans gradually pulled away when they scored 3 consecutive points for a 16-10 advantage.

A kill by Jake Rio made it 17-11 and Bartlett never got closer.

In Game 2 Segneri served the Spartans to a 6-0 lead. They got ahead 13-3 before Bartlett rallied to within 14-11.

St. Francis recovered and closed with an 11-5 run to win their third regional under Lynch, who has directed the Spartans to their best record in school history.

"We were just a little off with our passing," Hayes said of the Bartlett rally in Game 2. "When we have those lapses, we just have to refocus. Our setter (Segneri) gets us back on track. He usually go to Joey Murnane or Bob Vonderhaar and they always find a way to put it down."

Vonderhaar put down the match winner with a backhand attack, giving the Spartans their 27th straight victory.

"Lately, Joey (Murnane) and Bob (Vonderhaar) have been our go-to players," Lynch said. "And our defense did a great job controlling the ball."

Steve Hewitt added 10 service points and Jeff Tribble 9 for the winners.

Chris Guimen led Bartlett (20-12) with 6 kills, while Jason Theobald added 5 with 12 assists.

"And Sam Hillis had 2 key blocks for us during our rally in Game 2," said Bartlett coach John Breines. "I thought we did pretty well blocking. That's what helped us get back into Game 2."

"I'm proud of the kids," the coach added. "They fought back. Wheaton St. Francis has two very good outside hitters and they probably have the best passer (Hayes) in the state."