Knights looking all right

With only three returning starters and a whole lot of inexperience, Prospect boys volleyball coach Mike Riedy was a bit worried how his team would mesh early in the season.

Judging by Thursday night's performance, quite nicely, thank you very much.

The visiting Knights stormed out of the gate and didn't look back in a 25-20, 25-21 Mid-Suburban East-opening victory over Rolling Meadows.

Setter Kevin Wolter, right-side hitter Kevin Reed and outside hitter James Hoffman return from last year's starting lineup, but most of the other Knights are getting their first extended varsity playing time.

"Most of our guys have played club," said Wolter, who had 24 assists, "and they're stepping up big-time here. The chemistry on this year's team is great."

"I'm extremely pleased," said Riedy, "and a little surprised at how we'll they're playing together this early."

Superior hitting by Reed (19-of-21 on attack, 11 kills, 5 digs) led Prospect to the Game 1 win, and the senior said he has no doubt as to what his role is on this team.

"Get kills," said Reed. "We've got kind of a tradition here at Prospect of guys who can hit the ball hard, but we lost a lot of guys like that from last year's team."

"I want not only to get kills, but step up and be an overall team leader."

Rolling Meadows (1-1, 0-1) improved on the block in the second game and junior outside hitter Kyle Weiner (2 blocks, 2 kills, 7 digs) helped the Mustangs forge an 18-all Game 2 tie.

"Our coach (Janet Opels) told us between games to move our block in a little, because they we're trying to go across," said Weiner.

Despite a couple of incredible, stand-your-ground digs from Mustangs Matt Houser and Ryan Kedzie on Reed spike attempts, Prospect took the lead back on a well-placed tip by Hoffman (6 kills).

The Knights (3-3, 1-0) ran off 6 of the last 9 points to close out the match.

Prospect junior outside hitter Mike Gemkow was 14-of-15 on serve receive, while Tyler Vinezeano and Weston Genovese led the Mustangs attack with 8 kills apiece.

"We played so well Monday (in a win over Fremd)," said Opels, "so when this (a loss) happens you look for a reason - but sometimes there isn't a reason. Maybe the fact they had a half day of school today because of the holiday threw off their rythym, but you can't really say that because the other guys probably had the same thing.

"But like I said before the season started, if we struggle on serve receive and can't get the ball to our hitters, it's going to be tough."