Naperville Central feels better after victory

They were tight losses against quality opponents, but after the great start to the boys volleyball season, Naperville Central did not like the feeling of losing at all.

So after dropping a pair of three-game matches at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Invitational last weekend, Naperville Central was anxious to get right back on track Thursday night against visiting Waubonsie Valley in nonconference action. The Redhawks did just that, using tough serving and defense to sweep the young Warriors 25-13, 25-10.

Jack Burton, a 6-foot-4 senior outside hitter, said Naperville Central (10-2) worked hard to prepare for this match, and it showed. Burton did a little of everything on Thursday, leading his team with 7 kills, 3 aces and 10 digs, while also throwing in a pair of blocks for good measure.

"The second day of the Wheaton South tournament was a little bit rough for us. But we came into practice pretty excited about what was coming up this week," said Burton, who closed out the match with a kill that gave the Redhawks the second game by a count of 25-10. "Our coach, he's never going to let us live down a loss. He's a great coach and he really knows how to motivate the guys and turn it around to get the next win."

The Warriors, who dropped a three-gamer to Hinsdale Central the previous night, trailed just 5-3 in the opener after Jake Furman set up Nick Spragg for a kill. Waubonsie Valley (5-10), despite starting three sophomores and a freshman, trailed just 11-9 before a kill from Burton sparked a 14-4 run by the hosts to take Game 1.

The Redhawks took the Warriors out of system way too often down the stretch of the opening game and then again for much of the second game. Tough serving by the home team made it difficult for Waubonsie Valley to mount a consistent attack.

"We know going in this year that that's what's going to happen," Waubonsie Valley coach Al Lagger said. "We're young. I told them at the beginning that you have to crawl before you can walk. So we're going through growing pains."

Facing a team led by the likes of Burton can make matters tough on any team.

"I think he's one of the top players in the state," Naperville Central coach Roger Strausberger said of his team leader. "Front row, back row, wherever we need him. Obviously he's our go-to guy."

But Naperville Central has also gotten a boost from strong, steady setting by Kevin Prazak, as well as the emerging presence of Matt Skowronski, a 6-foot-8 middle hitter, who had 4 kills and 2 blocks.

"We're also getting a lot of production from other guys," Strausberger said. "Our sophomore middle, Matt Skowronski, has really stepped up. He started playing well over at the Wheaton South tournament and that carried over into today."