Calmly, Vernon Hills denies Warren
Vernon Hills pushed its winning streak to 15 games on Wednesday night with a three-set win over visiting Warren - but the Cougars weren't bragging about this W.
The Cougars moved to 15-1 with a 25-27, 25-19, 27-25 come-from-behind victory
"We didn't really play a good match, and I couldn't really tell you why; we just didn't try as hard as we could have," said Cougars setter Justin Opitz (36 assists).
Warren (9-7) struck early, winning the opening game when senior setter Kyle Schwede tapped home the winner.
"In the first game, we let our emotions take control of us," said Vernon Hills' Pat Stone (13 kills, 3 blocks).
The second game looked like it would be all Warren as well - until the Cougars showed why they are the elite North Suburban Conference boys volleyball team. The Blue Devils led 5-1 before the Cougars went on a 13-3 stretch to open a 14-8 advantage.
Vernon Hills twice built an 8-point lead in the second set, including a Thomas Robinson kill that gave the Cougars an 18-10 lead.
The Blue Devils never got closer than 3 in the second, despite numerous kills from junior Dillon Schaefer and an impressive block by Schwede.
"In the second and third games, we got ourselves under control and played with a lot more composure, which really showed in the third game when it was close," Stone said.
The Cougars led by as many as 5 in the third, including an 11-6 edge, but the Blue Devils battled back, highlighted by a left-handed kill from Schwede. Warren tied the game at 13-13 but never again led.
Vernon Hills led by no more than 2 points down the stretch and Warren tied it at 23, 24 and 25.
"I don't really like exciting volleyball matches; I'm a big fan of dull blowouts, but that hasn't really been our style," said Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry. "Luckily, the only thing we maintained from the first 15 matches to this one was a sense of calmness, a sense of really being in the point as opposed to reacting to the last point. I think that treats us well when you're facing game point a couple of times, (being) nervous doesn't help.
"We did not adjust during the match the way we have been."
Robinson led with 15 kills, while Spencer Raak had 16 digs and Robin Moy had 4 blocks for the victors.
The loss was Warren's third in a row, including a Saturday loss to these same Cougars.
"I really hope we don't see them again in the state playoffs because - they're tough," Curry said.
"We just made one too many errors," said Warren coach Yun Chen. "At least we stayed close, which is a nice mental toughness building for us. To come back in the third game, after being down by 5 or 6 early on, was nice."