Dynamic duo lifts Bartlett

The Bartlett boys volleyball team has a big, dynamic hitting duo in 6-foot-5 David Upp and 6-2 Russell Martin.

Tuesday night in Hoffman Estates at the Conant regional, the two seniors combined for 20 kills in a 25-18, 25-22 semifinal victory.

“We brought the energy tonight,” said Upp, who swatted 12 kills while teammate Martin added 8. “We have three goals before every game — to pass well, serve well and bring the energy, and when we do that, we’re able to play very well.”

Hawks (21-14) senior Mike Shanahan made a big contibution for his team with a couple of key aces, while Conant senior Brian Stone led the Cougars with 7 digs and 2 aces.

Conant stormed to a 15-10 second-game lead before succumbing to a big Bartlett rally.

“The team you saw in Game 2 was the team I was used to seeing during the season,” said Conant coach Steven Peter of his Cougars. “We started slow, and even though we had a strategy it seemed like we were trying to feel them out.”

“In the seond game we turned it up. It’s a great feeling to know the guys went out in their last game of the season playing so well.”

Bartlett finally caught up to Conant in the deciding game when Martin put down a clutch kill. The Hawks took the lead for good at 20-19 when junior Andrew Harris got a key kill.

Conant closed the gap behind a spike by Zach Lindeman but a Cougars serve out of bounds put the win in the Bartlett camp.

“These guys have been in sync all season, and that’s why we’re here,” said Hawks coach Dave Barker. “Tonight’s game was similar to what we’ve done all season.

“We had the energy in the first game, but coasted a little in the seond game and let them back in it. We’re a big energy team, and to play well we’ve got to bring that and we did when it counted.”

Bartlett will play Elk Grove at 7 p.m. today for the regional title.