Boys volleyball: Vernon Hills wins season opener

Rocket serves, courtesy of Vernon Hills' Cedric Bennett.

"I've been playing volleyball since I was 5 years old," Bennett said. "I work on my jump serve every day in practice. Now, I'm working on my jump float."

Lakes was the guest for Vernon Hills' first match of the season. The first set was explosive and went to the wire. The second set was also close for a while. When Bennett notched a serving ace, the Cougars went up 20-15.

Lakes was missing a few players to jazz band. Bennett helped lead the way, as Vernon Hills won 27-25, 25-16 Wednesday night.

"We definitely need more experience," Bennett said. "By the end of the season, we should be ready."

Yes, the Cougars are young in areas. Freshman Eric Giezycki handled the setting duties.

The first set was tied 23-23, 24-24 and 25-25. Jack McDonald, who led the Cougars with 10 kills, had a kill and a serving ace that closed the opener.

Vernon Hills also had 7 kills from Krys Hahn.

"I think we have a lot of potential," Hahn said. "We really work hard in practice. We are not as experienced as other clubs."

Lakes coach Kevin Glabowicz complimented one of the veterans on the Cougars team, libero Sammy Adkisson.

"That libero really came alive for them in the second set," Glabowicz said.

Adkisson had 12 digs in the two sets.

"He's second all-time at our school in digs," Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry said. "We actually have two great liberos in Sammy and Ryan Pristas (7 digs).

"This isn't club season, so I can't play two liberos," Curry joked.

Lakes had some strong play at the net in set two from Benjamin Mercure and Connor Clowers. On one of McDonald's kills, the set was knotted at 4-4. With Pristas serving, Giezycki notched a block, and Joey Reyes put a kill down. The Cougars' lead was 18-14.

Another Bennett ace put the Cougars at 20 points. Greg Towe (5 kills) put one down and VH was on the brink.

"Greg sat the bench all year last year," Curry said. "It's great to see a kid like that succeed."

Clowers' 4 kills led the Eagles (0-2). He also had 3 digs. Broderick Solbrig added 3 blocks and 3 kills. Michael LeBaron had 7 digs. Setter Tyler Donovan had 11 assists, 4 digs and 2 kills.

Vernon Hills' John Doesmagen closed the game with a block at the net.

"He's never played volleyball until this year," Curry said. "He's a good athlete and a good kid."