Elk Grove pushes past Bartlett
Elk Grove may get down, but the Grenadiers can never be counted out.
On Tuesday, Elk Grove stormed back from 4-0 deficit in the deciding game against Hoffman Estates, rattling off 11 consecutive points midway through the third game to nail down the boys volleyball regional semifinal victory.
On Wednesday the situation wasn’t quite as precarious, but after winning the first game, Elk Grove trailed 16-9 in the second game to fourth-seeded Bartlett.
But fifth-seeded Elk Grove closed out the game with a 16-4 run in securing its fourth regional title in a 25-18, 25-20 victory at Conant.
“I told them we’re not going to give up on this game,” said Elk Grove coach Dave Windholz, who called a timeout with the Grens trailing by 7 points. “We stuck with it and took it one point at a time, and we started playing aggressive.”
Elk Grove (21-12) advances to play top seed Lake Park in the first semifinal game at the Schaumburg sectional at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Junior Michal Kawa (10 kills) started the deciding run with a kill and also added two consecutive aces to spur the Grens’ attack.
“We had to show our identity,” said Kawa of Elk Grove’s surge. “We have bunch of new players, but everybody stepped it up — that’s our identity. We had to keep pushing.”
Junior Aaron Kraus (6 kills) kept the pressure going by adding 4 kills during the run, with sophomore Matt McKenna (13 digs) adding some big saves.
“I never give up on this team,” said Kraus of the Grens’ resilient attack. “Last night we had a rough stretch too. I knew we were going to bounce back.”
Senior Russell Martin (8 kills) and senior David Upp (6 kills) supplied the surge Bartlett (21-15) was looking for as the Hawks jumped out to their 7-point advantage.
But the Hawks started to wilt, and Kawa sealed the victory with a kill.
“It was a great season, but they deserved more than what they got tonight,” said Bartlett first-year coach Dave Barker of his team. “Why, I’m not exactly sure. I don’t have anything else to say.”
Elk Grove broke open a close first game by using a late 9-4 run to take a 22-16 advantage. The Grens then closed it out taking advantage of some Hawks errors.
“First game we were serving aggressive and taking advantage of Bartlett’s errors,” said Kraus. “We just played our game.”
Junior setter Jeff Miceli had 22 assists and senior Don Garner added 4 kills for Elk Grove.
“It feels great,” said Windholz of the Grens’ third regional title in six years. “These kids work hard and they’re changing the landscape of Elk Grove volleyball. They’re putting more effort into it and it’s showing.”