Glenbard East has spring in its step with win over rival Glenbard North

Glenbard East played like a team that plans to make another run deep into the state tournament this year.

The Rams, who went to the Elite Eight in two of the past three years, captured their own Springfest tournament for the third straight year on Saturday with a 25-19, 25-19 win over DuPage Valley Conference rival Glenbard North.

In going through five opponents without dropping a game, the Rams (8-0) displayed the firepower, balance and composure that will be needed to make this another special season.

"Everyone is playing strong and getting better every day," setter Mark Jones said. "We all worked really hard in the offseason. And we're playing at a consistent level no matter who's in the game. This was a great day and we got better as the day went along."

Jones and fellow senior teammates Piotr Dambrowski and Tim Lovik displayed the Rams' offensive balance by putting down 6 kills apiece against the Panthers (8-3).

Dambrowski helped make the Rams' frontline nearly impenetrable with 8 blocks and the team's fourth returning starter, libero Mark Kunberger was the dig leader with 8.

"We were pretty efficient today," coach Marci Maier said. "We transitioned well and, at times, our defense was good. This team has composure. When we missed a pass or a stuffed block, we came back without having a dip in our energy level. We just made adjustments and continued on about our business."

Maier believes that this is one of the strongest teams she's had at Glenbard East.

The Panthers, a senior-dominated team that was seeded fourth in its pool, defeated Downers Grove South, Conant and Benet in pool play and then knocked off Schaumburg 25-19, 25-13 in the semifinals to earn a trip to the finals against Glenbard East. The Panthers took the Rams to three games before being defeated earlier in the week.

"We came out to prove something today because we were under-rated," said Glenbard North's Tyler Gustafson. "We came out ready to play and did a great job in our first four matches. We were even up 5-0 on Glenbard East in the first game before we broke down and played a little scared."

"Our passing and serving were great until the last match," said Panthers coach Dedra DeBenedetti. "In the finals we didn't make runs when we had to and the guys got a little frustrated. Glenbard East battled for every point; they have strong players and nice depth."

Kyle Schwetz led the Panthers with 9 kills and 3 blocks, while Gustafson had 4 kills. Andrew Chavrtrand was the dig leader with 8 and Rae Bisharat dished out 15 assists.

"This is the best team we've had," DiBenedetti said. "We've got a core of strong, tough, experienced players, who've been on varsity for three or four years."

In the third-place game Neuqua Valley, which had played only three matches before Saturday's action, downed Schaumburg 25-18, 29-29, 25-11.

Rob Bauer had a match-high 16 kills for the Wildcats.

"We should be proud of what we did in the tournament," said Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza. "But we still have a lot of work to do. We have to learn to go with the same intensity in every match."

St. Francis defeated Conant 25-18, 23-25, 25-21 to take fifth place.