14-0 ... and counting for Stevenson

The Stevenson boys volleyball team started the season with high expectations.

Still, did the Patriots really think they would be undefeated after 14 matches?

"Probably not," senior outside hitter Kyle Buck said honestly. "I knew we would be good, but I thought our team would have a couple of losses."

Stevenson ran its record to 14-0 Wednesday against visiting Lake Zurich with a 25-13, 25-8 North Suburban Lake Division victory.

This is the first season the Bears have fielded a varsity team.

"Seeing a good program like Stevenson (shows) us what we have to do to get better," said Lake Zurich coach Almir Emso. "They play so well as a team. When they see a crack in the armor, they expose it as much as they can."

The Patriots came into this match playing their best volleyball of the season.

They went 5-0 on Friday and Saturday to win the Lake County Invitational and followed that with an impressive nonconference victory against New Trier on Monday. This was just the second time in eight years Stevenson had turned back the Trevians.

Team balance is one reason the Patriots have so far successfully staved off a flat performance.

"We don't have one player that is so much better than everyone else," Buck said. "We have good players at every position, and that helps us a lot."

Against Lake Zurich, Patriots coach Tim Crow was able to substitute liberally in the second game.

This allowed the Patriots' four sophomores to flash their potential. In previous years, Crow never kept more than one sophomore on the varsity.

"We have a great mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores," Crow said. "The seniors treat the sophomores extremely well."

Patriots sophomore Danny Gescheidle led the way with 6 kills.

Buck added 4 kills, and sophomore Zach Kravitz had 3 kills. Seniors Brad Feiger and Jay Meisner each had 7 digs.

Senior Josh Vravick finished with 2 solo blocks. Sophomore Darien Wu (9) and senior Brian Czosek (6) combined for 15 assists.

"(Wu) is one of the better all-around players that we have," Crow said.

Lake Zurich senior Adam Zurawski had a team-high 5 kills.

Two of the Bears' victories this season came Saturday at the Lake County Invitational. Lake Zurich is 3-10 on the season.

"When we have energy and play our game, we can play with all the teams," Zurawski said. "We need to work minimizing the other team's runs."

Senior libero Kevin Park continues to impress Almir with his quickness and ability to frustrate the opposition.

"He has incredible speed," Almir said.

Added Park: "I keep my focus and key in on the really good players."

On Wednesday, that statement could have applied to just about any Stevenson player that took the court.