Flores paces Mundelein’s triumph
Corey Flores plays all-around for the Mundelein boys volleyball team.
The junior gives the Mustangs a little bit of everything. As in he can put the ball away on offense, and also dig up most of the volleyballs sent his way.
On Monday night in Mundelein, neighbors Mundelein and Carmel played a pair of tight sets in a nonconference affair. Flores had 4 kills and 16 digs in his team’s 25-21, 25-20 win over the Corsairs.
“Our blocking was better tonight,’’ Flores said. “We also played better defense. We are getting our game together.”
Mundelein coach George Dressen noted this was one of his team’s top two wins of the season. He also praised Flores’ efforts.
“Corey is a very consistent player,’’ Dressen said. “He has raised his level of play.”
On a Flores kill in set one, the Mustangs (9-8) opened a comfortable 18-13 lead. However, a Damyan Kolomayets net ace and a kill from Will Collazo gave Carmel (12-10) some momentum.
Despite the comeback, Carmel coach Kevin Nylen wasn’t happy with the way his team played.
“We really didn’t give ourselves a chance,’’ Nylen said. “We really have a rollercoaster team here. But when we are down, we stay down and I don’t know why.”
A big block from Jaime Jahen and a kill from David Ramer gave the Mustangs the Set 1 win.
“We were able to stay strong,’’ Flores noted.
With setter Alex Dunlap (20 assists) serving, Carmel raced to a quick 5-0 lead in set two. But again, Mundelein answered. Mundelein setter Joey Timmerman (19 assists) struck back with 6 serving points to knot this game up at 6-6. Flores had back-to-back kills to give the Mustangs a 9-7 lead.
Carmel was not able to catch the Mustangs after that.
These two teams met at the Lake County Tournament last week, and Mundelein won a tight three-set match. Dressen noted at that time Michael Fitzgibbons was Carmel’s top hitter. Fitzgibbons did lead the Corsairs with 6 kills but Dressen was pleased his blockers kept him in check.
“We worked on our blocking assignments,’’ Dressen said. “That’s because he’s their go-to-guy.”
Carmel had help in the hitting department from Jack Butler (4 kills) and Anthony Rengers (4 kills). Frankie Cohen led the Corsairs defense with 11 digs. Collin Long added 7 digs. Colazzo had a pair of blocks.
“He’s a work in progress,’’ Nylen said of Collazo. “He’s got some ability.”
Parker Tortorello led the Mundelein attack with 6 kills and Ramer had 3.