Neuqua Valley spoils St. Charles North's home debut
Playing one match per week can make it difficult to make team evaluations.
That's why Neuqua Valley boys volleyball coach Erich Mendoza is looking forward to participating in this weekend's Glenbard East tournament after watching his team knock off Upstate Eight Conference foe St. Charles North 25-18, 25-16 Tuesday evening in St. Charles.
"Tonight is one of those matches where it feels good to win, but at the same time, we've got a lot of things to work on," said Mendoza, whose team raised its overall record to 3-0, 2-0 in UEC play. "It's tough because we've had three weeks of practice and this is just our third match so it's hard when you're at practice to keep your focus and intensity when your next game is like a week later."
The opening game featured 5 ties and 3 early lead changes before the Wildcats gradually pulled away, as 6-foot-5 outside hitter Rob Bauer recorded 3 consecutive kills to finish things off.
In Game 2, the North Stars (1-1, 0-1) received solid net play from outside hitter Dillon Havens (7 kills) and outside hitter Jeff Beach (6 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace) while taking an early 7-6 lead.
Clinging to an 11-10 lead, the Wildcats scored 10 of the next 12 points while extending their margin to 21-12. Middle hitter Derek Menendez (5 kills) and Bauer fueled the surge with 2 kills apiece.
"I thought our offense was pretty good today," said Bauer. "We weren't happy with a few things but we're really looking forward to the (Glenbard East) tournament. That's going to be our true test."
Fresh from back-to-back, third-place state finishes, Bauer admits the bar has been raised slightly this season.
"After two years of finishing third, we want to at least play for a state championship this year," said Bauer.
Mendoza knows his team will have to pick up the pace - as soon as this coming weekend.
"Our play wasn't indicative of the way we can play only because I've seen what they can do in practice," said the coach. "To be honest, our passing was atrocious but the fact is that with a hitter like Bauer we can pass poorly and set him every time and he's going to get his kills because it's so hard to stop him."
The loss spoiled the home debut for North Stars first-year coach Guy Lum.
"It was a good test," said Lum. "I was pleased with our hitting - we ran plays and combinations. It's the defense that we want to shore up a little bit more.
"At the beginning of the season, I'm trying different things and looking at different combinations - seeing where the kids are and where the chemistry is."
North Stars junior setter Pat Sullivan was just happy to be back on firm ground after returning from the school's Jazz Workshop in Italy just a few hours earlier.
"I was able to get some sleep on the plane," said Sullivan, who had a pair of kills. "Yes, I was tired but I wanted to play."