Boldog, Palatine jumping to it

It may be early in the year, but Jake Boldog already looks to be in midseason form.

The Palatine senior setter used his wicked jump-serve to hit 5 first-set aces and lead his team to a 25-11, 25-23 Mid-Suburban League boys volleyball crossover victory over visiting Prospect.

Boldog excelled in all areas of the game Tuesday, finishing 12-of-15 from the service line, recording 21 assists and getting a couple of kills in clutch moments.

Michael Jensen, Zach Wheat and Camden Hill each had 6 kills for the home-standing Pirates, who improved to 6-0 on the year.

"We've got a lot of talent," said Boldog, who attended camps and played club volleyball over the summer in anticipation of his senior season. "The key is to see if we can play together as a full team."

Scotty B led the Prospect effort with 11 assists.

"We're changing our offense and we're going through some adjustments with some of the younger kids," said Knights coach Mike Riedy, "but I saw a couple of flashes of brilliance tonight."

Palatine dominated game 1, but Prospect played much better in the second game.

After falling behind early in the second set, a kill by Michael Poulos then two consecutive kills from Matt Szuba brought the Knights to within 14-13.

The Pirates extended the lead behind inspired play from Hill and Johnny O'Shea (5 digs), both sophomores, but Prospect again came back late.

A dump kill from Scotty B, then a Palatine hitting error saw the Knights close to within 24-23, and it looked like Prospect (0-6) might tie the game when they went up for a kill in the middle on the next point.

But Boldog made an incredible play, getting a leaping block kill for the match-winner.

"I'm just glad I was there," said Boldog.

Szuba and Poulos each had 3 kills for Prospect, while Andrew Padilla earned 7 digs for Palatine.

"I'm proud of our seniors tonight," said Pirates coach Frank Stark, a group that includes Boldog, Padilla, Jensen, Wheat, Tristan Osterhues, Patrick Stach and Pramod Manivel. "They stepped up and showed their experience. Being consistent night after night can be tough, but we're a young team with a lot of potential."

Stark also handed out some much-deserved praise to O'Shea.

"He's a three-sport varsity athlete as a sophomore," said Stark, "and he's a phenomenal player. Once he gets his timing down he's going to have a lot of fun out there."

- Bill Esbrook

• Barrington notched a 25-9, 25-16 decision over Wheeling as Josh Babicz (9 kills, 2 blocks), Matt Rowley (9 assists) and Jack Ridgway (8 assists) helped lead the way.

The Wildcats, playing their season opener, got 4 kills from Tyler LaRosa and 6 digs apiece from Matt Schiferl and Kyle Bagarella.

• Fremd outlasted Elk Grove 25-19, 22-25, 27-25 in an MSL crossover.

The Vikes won their season opener behind 7 kills apiece from Kyle Saxon and Aaron Kuhlman. Patrick Kurka had 10 digs and Kaleb Scharman delivered 20 assists.

The Grens got big hitting efforts from Connor Emmerich (22-for-23, 15 kills) and Kevin Braceros (27-for-33, 10 kills, 3 blocks), and Anthony Prochenski had 15 digs and an 18-for-18 service performance.

• Rolling Meadows picked up a 25-21, 25-13 victory over Schaumburg in an MSL crossover. Tommy Murphy paced the Mustangs with 9 kills, Billy Psarros provided 26 assists and Kyle Kornblum served 3 aces for Meadows.

• Angelo Coniglio (10 kills) and John Bouvier (7) led the attack as Hersey topped Hoffman Estates 25-17, 25-16. Vince Reisel had 21 assists for the Huskies, and Justin Hong had a team-best 8 digs.

• Chris Tsourmas and Danny Zickert had 6 kills apiece, and Zach Schnittker was 12-for-12 serving with 8 kills and 31 assist to help host Buffalo Grove outlast Conant 25-9, 21-25, 25-19.