Boys volleyball: Glenbard West beats Downers Grove South to return to state
Glenbard West senior setter Paulie Bischoff also proved to be quite a server Tuesday.
Although school is over for the boys volleyball team's six seniors, they began the morning of their match not by lounging but by gathering at Bischoff's house.
"Our coaches told us to get up early, get in that regular routine," senior Kyler Kotsakis said. "All of the seniors got breakfast (at the Bischoff's), hung out pretty much the whole day. We tried to stay in a routine, get some scouting in."
For the third straight season a Glenbard West trip to the state quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates High School is on the menu. The Hilltoppers defeated Downers Grove South 25-18, 25-17 to win the Glenbard West sectional in Glen Ellyn.
The defending state champion and ranked No. 1 throughout the season, Glenbard West (39-0) plays Friday's final quarterfinal at 6 p.m. against Lake Park (30-9). The teams have not met this season, but the Hilltoppers beat the Lancers in last year's state quarterfinals and for third at state in 2014.
Bischoff, Kotsakis and seniors Will Church and Geo Smith were part of both state-trophy rosters.
"I think we're going to come in with a lot of composure and determination," Kotsakis said. "There's definitely more pressure for us to perform (as the favorites), but I don't think it's going to be any different. I think we're just going to go in and do our job that we know how to do."
The Hilltoppers did just that against the Mustangs (26-13) in an emotional finale in front of another giant Biester Gym home crowd.
Kotsakis had 10 kills, Bischoff had 23 assists, 9 digs and 6 blocks, and junior Robbie Murphy added 5 kills.
"It's pretty bittersweet to play here with all of the fans, especially with all of the seniors out of school. To have our whole community watching us is pretty special," Bischoff said. "I think there's more momentum we can gain. Preparing for a team, we do focus as one match at a time in practice but we're also preparing for the future."
The Hilltoppers established momentum quickly Tuesday with leads of 6-1 and 13-4. The teams exchanged sideouts most of the remaining game and into the second game.
The Hilltoppers used a five-point serving run by Jimmy Winkler to pull ahead 13-6 and two points from Bischoff to lead 18-9.
The Hilltoppers had 27 kills with 10 errors and also 9 blocks for points.
"Our block today was extraordinary. I think they read the setter very well. And they were talking today a lot," Glenbard West coach Christine Giunta-Mayer said.
"It's one of those things in the playoffs. If it's your day, it's your day and today was our day. They were so a united force. I don't think they wanted to leave this gym with a loss."
Glenbard West beat Downers South 25-19, 25-10 May 9. The sixth-seeded Mustangs, the 2013 state champions, made a great run to earn the rematch - and with just three seniors seeing action Tuesday.
Junior Shawn Tischler had 6 kills and senior Patrick Leahy had 9 assists and 6 digs.
"An unbelievable season. They accomplished their goal of getting here and playing the best team in the state so no hanging heads," Downers South coach Kurt Steuer said.
"We just couldn't get anything done offensively. (They're) the best we've seen - by far. They've got the best setter in the state (Bischoff). Their timing and speed of offense is the best we've seen."
Kotsakis had 7 kills in the second game, including for match point quickly after his serve-receive pass to Bischoff.
"A lot of times (our) fast tempo takes a while to kind of get in rhythm," Kotsakis said.
The Hilltoppers' seven underclassmen who played Tuesday still have final exams this week. Friday's quarterfinal is supposed to start at the same time as Glenbard West's graduation ceremony.
"It's nice to have three years pay off," Church said. "It feels a lot different. You want to win for the seniors when you're an underclassman, but now it's our final time so we want to get it done."