Boys volleyball: Stevens, Libertyville serve up a winner against Mundelein

It's really not a bad idea.

Take a summer off and train an individual to serve the volleyball at lightning speed. Your team would win every set 25-0, and thus a state title as well.

For a brief glimpse on how this would work, watch Libertyville's promising sophomore, Jack Stevens. On Wednesday night, he fired off three consecutive serve rockets that netted him three straight aces against neighboring Mundelein.

And although the Mustangs aren't winning much so far this spring, it's another startling defensive club that coach George Dressen has assembled.

"Mundelein is really scrappy,'' Stevens said. "They don't let anything hit the floor."

The Mustangs (1-13) led briefly in set two - but that was about the only high point for Mundelein. This Libertyville team has a number of weapons on offense and posted two 25-16 wins to take this NSC match two sets to none.

"We have a lot of young kids this year,'' said Libertyville senior outside Nick Zoellick. "But we have a lot of talent. We have good coaches and a lot of potential."

There are just four seniors on the Wildcats club. In addition to the hard-serving sophomore Stevens, this class brings in powerful hitting with 10th-graders Brendan Cook and Mark Demaree.

"We have the talent,'' said Libertyville coach Jen Smith. "Now, we are working on the experience. The freshmen last year had a great year and they are all hard workers this year."

Even though both 25-16 sets sound one-sided, the Mustangs managed to make the Wildcats work hard on this night.

The Wildcats lead was just 12-9 in set one. And then Libertyville setter Ryan Hirschel (24 assists) began to find Cook (5 kills). Three kills went down quickly and the Cats' lead was 15-10.

Libero Sam Kharasch (13 digs) was on the serving line when the first set closed. A Demaree kill was key down the stretch as the Cats prevailed.

Dressen had very few complaints about his team's effort against the bigger and taller Wildcats. Come to think of it, where are all the tall volleyball players at Mundelein anyway?

"They all play water polo,'' Dressen said. "We have given up many inches this year. But our team gives us great effort. With that effort, we won tonight."

Dressen's latest club is young as well. He is carrying just three seniors.

Mundelein setter Linden Ewing, (11 digs, 2 aces) opened set two with a serving ace. Mundelein's lead reached 5-3 at one point. And then Stevens went into his serving act. Senior Matt Franz (5 kills) put one down and then rested while Stevens torched the Mustangs, and it was 14-9 Wildcats.

Stevens gave away to Zoellick to determine how potent his serve was.

"I think it's very good,'' Zoellick said.

With Kharasch serving, Stevens showed he can do more than serve. His third kill of the set put the Cats' lead at 20-13

Mundelein's sophomore, Abram Nazario led his team's offense with 6 kills. Mundelein libero, Ben Arebalo added 7 digs.