Ellis has winning touch for Rolling Meadows
For all the hard hitting that was going on for Rolling Meadows on Tuesday at Prospect, it was the softest of shots that put the match in the win column for the Mustangs.
And fittingly enough, the final kill came from junior Tim Ellis, who Meadows coach Tim Piatek called the player of the game.
Ellis’ game-winning tip found an open spot on the Knights side of the net as the Mustangs boys volleyball team rallied to defeat Prospect 19-25, 25-22, 25-23 in the Mid-Suburban East.
“Tim stole the show tonight,” said Piatek. “He just would not be denied.”
“I was trying to go right,” said Ellis of his game winner, “but I saw a gap (in the Prospect defense), and the ball just kind of flew off my hand. Hey, it was a kill — so I’ll take it.”
Ellis finished with 10 kills while teammate Kevin Murphy added 12.
Six-foot-5 Prospect senior outside hitter Pat McIlwee swatted a game high 16 kills on 24-of-29 hitting.
“Meadows got out of the slump they were in in the first game and played outstanding volleyball from then on,” said Prospect coach Mike Riedy. “We went in the other direction.”
The Mustangs broke out in the deciding set and took a 5-point lead, but Prospect (2-12, 1-2) rallied to close within 24-23 after a block kill by sophomore Grant Andler.
That set the stage for Ellis and the resurgent Mustangs, who struggled last season but improved to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the East.
Not bad for a team that boasts only 1 senior amongst its 13-man roster.
“We’re all juniors,” said Murphy, “so a lot of people have been underestimating us. It’s been a lot of fun proving them wrong and we’re going to keep it up.
“Last season, not everyone was pulling together with the program. This year there’s a lot more enthusiasm. We’re all friends out there and we work together.”
Prospect senior JD Fischer was 13-of-15 on service with 2 aces, while Mustangs setter Brett Frey excelled by going 62-of-63 with 34 assists.
Piatek also gave props to Frey, Peter Nickle and Danny Behles for their effort on defense.
“Those three guys came out,” said Piatek, “and set the tone in the third game.”