Buffalo Grove tops Stevenson, makes sectional

Eighth-seeded Buffalo Grove rose to the task at hand in Wednesday’s Highland Park regional final — and quite a task it was.

The Bison were facing Stevenson, the top seed in the 23-team Antioch sectional.

Behind a dominant hitting effort from senior Evan Bunnetto, the Bison more than met the challenge.

Bunnetto racked up 18 kills to go with 4 blocks and 7 digs as Buffalo Grove won 25-19, 25-23.

The Bison advance to meet Vernon Hills in Antioch sectional semifinal play at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Vernon Hills defeated Palatine in three games in the regional hosted by the Cougars.

Other key attackers for Buffalo Grove included Nikita Bulauski (8 kills, 5 blocks), Andy Schnittker (6 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs) and Jose Aguirre (4 kills, 4 blocks).

Kevin Shanahan (18 assists, 4 digs) and Chris Szewczyk (16 assists, 5 digs) ran the offense for BG. And the Bison got all-around help from Athan Cruz (2 kills, 1 block), Tullio Ruscitti (19 digs, 3 assists) and Zach Masciopinto (11 digs, 1 ace).

at Warren: Barrington survived 25-20, 18-25, 25-18 against the host Blue Devils to earn a spot against Deerfield in Friday’s sectional semifinals.

Charlie Spry hammered down 13 kills, Colin Castagna had 8 and Justin Glader had 6 for the Broncos.

Tommy Soifer had 30 assists, and Barrington’s leading diggers were Ben Karon (17), Kevin Eiring (12) and Spry (12)

Barrington will meet Deerfield, which handled Zion-Benton 25-13, 25-16 in the Lake Zurich regional final, in an Antioch sectional semifinal play at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

at Loyola: The host Ramblers ended a terrific for St. Viator by claiming a 25-13, 25-17 decision in regional championship action.

Loyola meets Hersey in a 6:30 p.m. sectional semifinal at Niles West.

at Lake Park: The host Lancers stopped Elk Grove’s postseason run by winning 25-16, 25-20.

at Chicago Westinghouse Prep: Chicago Payton outlasted Leyden 26-28, 25-22, 25-17 to advance to the sectional semifinal round.