Boys volleyball: Grant surprises Grayslake North

Don't blame the sixth-grade volleyball coach but frankly, Grant senior Derek Kolb can do it all on a volleyball court.

He can serve rockets. He can play back row with the best of them. And at the net, he is positively dangerous.

Five-game winner Grant invaded 13-game victor Grayslake North on Tuesday night.

And on a serving ace from Kolb and a follow-up kill, the Grant lead was looking good at 18-11.

However, the Knights of North had Sam Inmon at the serving line. And with big man Evan Mittlestaedt providing a block and a kill, North was back in the set.

Kolb (12 kills) closed both sets with kills as the Bulldogs beat the Knights in straight sets, 25-22, 27-25. It spoiled Grant's Senior Night.

"I didn't make the sixth-grade team,'' Kolb admitted. "But I made the seventh-grade team."

Kolb, a senior, has played two years of club volleyball to help fine tune his skills.

Hoops star Tavarus Davis-Williams was a force at the net in this win for Grant.

"I love the environment of volleyball,'' Davis-Williams said. "The teammates are so positive. We just needed to keep the intensity going."

Grant (6-18) had 4 kills and 2 blocks from Davis-Williams. Another senior, Ian Fox, got the Bulldogs off to a good start in the first set with his serving. He had 3 aces.

"He's also played a great back row for us,'' said Grant coach Michele Keenan.

North had a good start in the second set. Nathan Atwell (5 kills) put one down and the Knights were up 6-4. The Knights played without the services of Jarod Hesse (shoulder injury).

"We were a little inconsistent tonight,'' said North coach, Nikki Kirchway.

Her Knights opened up some daylight at 14-11 on a kill from Trey Yonts.

Again with Kolb serving, the Bulldogs answered back. Davis-Williams added a block and kill. Grant had reclaimed the lead at 17-16.

On a kill from Nicholas LeBaron, the North lead was 24-22.

Ein Atwater of North had 5 kills. Gedville had 10 assists. Sam Inmon had 16 digs.