Boys volleyball: Glenbard West stymies Naperville North

Having "settled" for just a third-place trophy last spring, Glenbard West's returning players seem determined to play even better this spring.

The unbeaten Hilltoppers used a big block and the strong all-around play of junior Ben Harrington to sweep a solid Naperville North squad 25-14, 25-16 Wednesday night in Naperville. The 6-foot-4 Harrington had 11 kills and 5 blocks as Glenbard West improved to 11-0 on the year.

"I really think they're playing a little bit with how disappointed they were with themselves last year," said coach Christine Giunta-Mayer, who guided unbeaten squads to state championships in 2015 and 2016. "What I love about this team is an even balance of juniors and seniors. It's nice to have that senior experience and then the juniors that the seniors can teach. There is not one person that has to take all of this on themselves."

Senior setter Henry Curtis, who was on top of his game, recorded a pair of big blocks and finished the night with 22 assists. He seemed to find Harrington and outside Nicco Cavalcante at just the right time and place to finish off rallies against a Huskies team that took the court one night after an impressive defeat of Benet.

"We had a couple blocks in a row and Will Schwegel had some big digs, including one that was awesome," said Harrington, explaining how the Hilltoppers broke from an 11-11 tie to take the second set 25-16. "We feel really good. We kept their score low and that's what we wanted to do."

What they also want to do is reclaim top state honors for a program that expects nothing less than first place.

"We're trying to get one this year," Harrington said. "Our coach, Christine Giunta-Mayer, has set up this program. She's been working very hard for many years and it's been paying off."

The 9-4 Huskies have big wins already this spring over Benet, Downers Grove South and Glenbard East, but Wednesday's opponent was at another level.

"We were right there with them, then they went on a big run," said Huskies senior John Jaworski, who had 8 kills and 9 digs in the match. "I feel like a lot of people underestimate us. We have the potential to be a great team and we have beat some great teams."

Cavalcante added 7 kills for the visitors, and Ryan Swartz had 3 kills and 7 digs. For Naperville North, Kevin Doran had 5 kills and senior setter Connor Wojcik had 20 assists.

"I think our setter did a better job in Game 2 of making sure we got away from Harrington a little. We had 17 hitting errors and a lot of that is because we're trying to do something special around their block," Huskies coach Nathan Bornancin said. "They're easily the best blocking team we've seen this season. That's something they have behind them is that confidence and that momentum behind them. That's what great programs do and Christine has done an amazing job with that."