Vernon Hills rallies past Stevenson

What Vernon Hills almost accomplished in Game 2 of Friday night's Palatine sectional semifinal was remarkable.

What they did in Game 3 was unprecedented.

The Cougars, who staged an unheard of 10-point rally in the second game against Stevenson only to fall just short, rode that wave of momentum and took Game 3 going away to score a 25-17, 21-25, 25-17 victory.

Vernon Hills (35-3) will be making its first trip to a boys volleyball sectional final. The Cougars will face Buffalo Grove at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"This is what we've been working toward all year," said VH coach Chris Curry. "The guys aren't cocky or overconfident, but they're good enough to realize if they play as well as they can they can beat most teams, and they've been doing that."

Sophomore outside hitter Thomas Robinson led the Cougars on attack with 12 kills, while Stevenson junior Zach Kravits led the Patriots with 19 assists on 64-of-66 setting, while teammate John Baader was 9-of-10 from the service line with 2 aces.

"I didn't think either team was at their best tonight," said Stevenson coach Tim Crow. "Their was some very sloppy play on both sides, but they were able to make the plays when they needed to."

After taking Game 1, VH fell behind 8-0 then 18-7 in Game 2.

But then the Cougars began making all the plays, and after a kill by senior middle hitter Pat Stone (6 blocks) and two Patriots hits into the net, the deficit was only 20-19.

Stevenson (25-13) survived Game 2 but the stage had been set for the third game.

"We made that comeback," said senior outside hitter Mike Robinson, "and we were able to carry the momentum over to Game 3."

Two kills and a big block by Stone helped the Cougars break open the deciding game and Thomas Robinson closed it out with a final spike.

"We beat a real good team tonight," said Curry of the Patriots. "They've been playing as well as anyone, especially late in the season. But we know we'll have to play even better to beat Buffalo Grove. We'll have to be agressive and try to get into their defensive gaps."