St. Charles North fights back to win regional title

Just when that, 'Oh no, here we go again' feeling hit St. Charles North Wednesday night, the North Stars hit back - and didn't stop hitting until the feeling was gone.

Rival St. Charles East, who has won the last two meetings between the schools, took Game 1 in the West Chicago regional championship. The North Stars answered, winning the next two for a 17-25, 25-20, 25-19 victory that sends No. 4 St. Charles North to the St. Charles East sectional Friday and a date with No. 1 Lake Park.

"I think it showed a lot about our ability to come back," said North Stars outside hitter Dillon Havens. "For sure a team effort.

"It's awesome we beat East. I love those guys but I wasn't losing three years in a row. Heck of a game by them."

Serve-receive problems for St. Charles North combined with a fast start by the Saints (19-18) was the story of Game 1.

"East normally comes out slow," St. Charles North coach Todd Weimer said. "I was surprised. They executed the game plan very well and took care of Game 1. We were like this is it. They are seniors. Their confidence and building off each other you could see on the floor."

One of those North seniors, Jeff Beach, played a near perfect match. He only had 1 hitting error in 15 attempts while pounding 10 kills.

"We worked really hard to get here," Beach said. "This is where we wanted to go. I didn't have any doubts we'd (come back). We have been thinking about this game all day. We were going to come out and fight and not roll over."

The North Stars (19-14) led throughout Game 3. They took their biggest lead 17-9 on a block by Beach.

The Saints made it interesting, getting as close as 20-18 and 21-19 on Josh Carnell's block.

Branden Hoerner's kill ended the Saints' run. Beach and Matt Behrens teamed up for a block to make it 24-19 and a Saints lift ended the match.

"I think we fought really, really hard, we just made some silly mistakes," Saints coach Kate McCullagh said of her 12th-seeded team.

"I think that was out of excitement. We didn't think we'd make it this far. It was exciting to be here. Then when we won the first game we thought, 'Oh, we might be able to do this.' We never thought it would be easy, but maybe it (the Game 1 success) got to our heads a little. I don't know."

Beach also had 4 blocks. Dillon led both teams with 11 kills. Pat Sullivan directed the attack with 28 assists and added 11 digs, second to Kevin Rose's 14 digs. Weimer was pleased with Jahred Szmolek stepping up with 3 blocks.

It's the third regional title for the North Stars who also won in 2005 and 2007 in the first year for Weimer as coach.

"It's an experience you will never forget," Weimer said. "To do it in my first year with this group of guys that have gone through a lot. And for us to respect each other is just phenomenal. I'm extremely proud of these guys. They are really setting the bar high."

The North Stars lost in 2 against Lake Park in the regular season. They meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday followed by

"We like our chances," Havens said. "They are a blanced team. All their players play club. They have been dominating for a few years in our conference."

Carnell and Taylor Flahaven led the Saints with 6 kills. Flahaven also had 3 blocks, Brandon Cermak 12 assists and Billy Russel 8 assists.

"Although I'm crying and frustrated now I'm so happy we have come this far," McCullagh said. "I think we had a season of quite a few upsets. We beat some teams I'm not even sure we thought we'd beat. For having a lot of kids who don't play volleyball all year round, we were able to compete with some of those teams that do."