Energetic Fremd trips Hoffman to set up match with Schaumburg

Fremd defeated Mid-Suburban League West Division rival Hoffman Estates - a team the Vikings had beaten twice previously in conference play - in its opening-round boys state volleyball playoffs Tuesday.

To win a regional title, the Vikings will have to do the same thing tonight.

The MSL champion Vikings swept past the Hawks 25-15, 25-7 to reach the Streamwood regional championship match, where they'll take on another West team, Schaumburg, at 7 p.m. for the title.

The Saxons, who also fell twice to Fremd in league play, rallied to defeat Wheaton Academy 21-25, 25-17, 25-19.

"This is the start of a new season," said Fremd senior defensive specialist Jason Sohn, as the second-seeded Vikings avoided any letdown after Wednesday's MSL title game win over Buffalo Grove. "We've got to keep playing hard like we've done all year."

After falling in Game 1, the Hawks, who were fresh from a play-in game win over Streamwood, grabbed an early lead in the second game behind a couple of kills by Patrick Pugasi.

Fremd (29-6) ran off the next 9 points to regain the momentum en route to the win.

"We've got to stay energetic," said Vikings senior setter Michael Smearman, who dished out 21 assists. "The key is to stay focused, play our game and not let our opponents get in our heads."

Junior Brian Allen led the Vikings on attack with 6 kills, senior libero James Isaacs was 8 of 8 on serve receive, and sophomore Kolbe Stenioen, a recent JV call-up, impressed from the service line in his first varsity playoff action.

"I was a little nervous," Stenioen said. "It's a big step from JV to varsity."

In the second semifinal, Schaumburg (13-20) fell behind early - but some big hits by 6-foot-3 junior middle Glen Frost and a tremendous all-around game by right-side Sanup Desai turned the tide against Wheaton Academy.

Two wicked spikes midway through Game 2 by Frost energized the Saxons, who rode the momentum to a late run in the third game.

Wheaton Academy was able to close to within 18-20 in the deciding game, but a block by setter Neal Goyke, a kill by Frost and 2 Wheaton hitting errors helped close out the victory.

"Like I told the guys in the huddle," said Saxons coach Kyle Reid, "I thought this was the best match we've played all season."

Frost finished 22-of-24 hitting, libero Kyle Schroeder contributed with 19 of 19 on serve receive and high-energy junior Desai excelled with 10 kills (5 block kills).

"Sanup was outstanding tonight," Reid said. "He has outstanding ability on the attack and is tenacious on defense. He's going to be a key to our success with his leadership and skills."

Goyke pitched in with 25 assists, while Frost led the offense by slamming 12 kills.

"Before the game we told each other we had to start pulling together as a team-and I think we did that tonight," Frost said.