Boys volleyball: Downers Grove South's Tischler savoring his final season
Jack Tischler wants to maximize his positive experiences in volleyball.
After playing volleyball for seven years, the Downers Grove South senior doesn't plan to play in college.
He wants to study construction management at Eastern Kentucky.
"I decided to hang volleyball up after this season. Been playing since sixth grade, so it's getting emotional at the end," he said. "It's been a great seven years."
But Tischler, an outside hitter, still has some unfinished business left on the court.
Tischler tallied 11 kills, 5 digs, 2 aces and a block to fuel the Mustangs to a 25-23, 25-23 against Neuqua Valley on Monday in Naperville.
The 6-foot-2 Tischler sparked the second-game rally with an ace and 2 kills to tie the game at 16-16. Tischler added another kill to hand the Mustangs (20-14) a 20-17 lead before sophomore Connor Grabs tallied three late kills to seal the victory. Jacob Kesterson finished with 9 kills and Nathaniel Cossyleon had 27 assists for the Mustangs.
Downers Grove South coach Kurt Steuer said Tischler - and his family - hold a special part in the Mustangs' program. His two older brother, Will and Shane, also played outside hitter and started as sophomores on the varsity.
"We've had the Tischler boys in our program for eight years," Steuer said. "This is the last of the Tischler era. It will be a sad time when the Tischlers leave our program, but it's been a great time. We couldn't ask for a better group of boys. Jack's a great player for us, leads by example. He's a quiet player on the court. He got stronger in the off-season. It was great to see him play so well today."
Tischler said he's regained his love for volleyball by sitting out his senior club season. He played three years of club volleyball, even playing in a national championship game on a club team with Neuqua Valley star setter Kevin Kauling during his sophomore year.
"I just wasn't having as much fun, so I decided to take a different path and not play club this year," he said. "I'm having fun now with the guys on the court, some of my best friends in high school."
On a day when the Wildcats (18-12) honored 12 seniors, Kauling cherished his return to court. He missed two weeks due to a trip to Peru to play in the U21 Pan American Cup and a subsequent ankle injury. Eleven seniors played in the opening game, Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza said. Senior Jeremy Cardenas tallied 11 kills to pace the Wildcats.
Kauling, a Lewis University recruit, admitted it was tough getting back into sync.
"I sprained my ankle last Saturday, but I had an incredible experience in Peru," Kauling said. "Volleyball is completely different out there. Everybody jumps and is incredible. Coming back here, it felt so different. We were all kind of flat today, but we have a bunch of good guys and can figure it out."