Fifth straight NSC title for Vernon Hills

Thomas Robinson slammed 7 kills on 13-of-16 hitting, and Martin Niemczewski added 6 kills on 12 of 15, as Vernon Hills’ boys volleyball team clinched its fifth consecutive North Suburban Conference championship with a 25-18, 25-18 win over host Lake Forest on Wednesday night.

“Thomas Robinson led the team with really smart and strong hitting all night,” Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry said. “And our service was strong, keeping (Lake Forest) out of system for a good part of the night.”

The win was also the 30th for the Cougars, who also got 4 aces from Max Spiglanin and three from Ryan Opitz. Opitz also dished out 20 assists on 45-of-46 setting.

Vernon Hills (30-4) finished 9-1 in the NSC. Stevenson finished with the same conference record, but Vernon Hills beat the Patriots in three sets last Tuesday.

For Vernon Hills, it’s the most consecutive NSC volleyball titles ever. Lake Forest won four straight titles from 1994-1997. The Cougars finished 8-1 in 2008, 10-0 in both 2009 and 2010, and 9-1 in each of the last two seasons.

Stevenson d. Zion-Benton: Brad Tiller and Jason Fleischman pounded 8 and 6 kills, respectively, for the Patriots in their 25-20, 25-21 win.

Stevenson (29-4, 9-1 North Suburban) also received 4 kills from Collin Ryan, 21 assists from Jonah May and 7 digs from Robbie Redman.

Mundelein d. Lake Zurich: The Mustangs won their North Suburban finale, as Parker Tortorello slammed 9 kills in a 25-23, 25-21 win.

Corey Flores added 6 kills for Mundelein (16-18, 5-5), and Victor Magana lofted 24 assists.