Boys volleyball: Barrington tips Prospect in MSL title-match classic
It was quite a show for the fans when host Prospect met Barrington for the Mid-Suburban League boys volleyball championship Thursday night.
The host Knights pulled out an exciting 27-25 victory in the first set before the Broncos bounced back strongly in Set 2 with a 25-18 win.
It looked like Barrington (12-4) was going to roll to the title as the Broncos built a 20-14 lead on a big spike by 6-foot-7 junior Jack O'Riordan in the decisive third set.
But the Knights (12-11) refused to fold as a spike by Jonathan Stavnes forced a 24-24 deadlock.
Prospect would take a 26-25 edge on a hit by Danny McKenna, but a spike by freshman sensation Cole Hartke kept Barrington's hopes alive with the match tied at 26-26.
An ace by Barrington's James Rowley made the score 27-26 before another service point by Rowley finally put away the pesky Knights for a 28-26 victory and an exciting conclusion to the first MSL crown for coach B.J. Boldog.
"Hats off to Prospect for competing hard, but our guys were able to fight through and it was a great team win," said Boldog, whose team is seeded second at the Palatine regional next week. "He (O'Riordan) is an all-conference guy, he did a great job for us, and he was a great outlet for our setter (Rowley)."
Junior Ryan Uemura was another huge factor for Prospect on the attack, and he was instrumental in the Knights' Set 3 comeback along with teammate Logan Hiskes.
"I was very pleased with the way they came back, they cleaned up their game and started competing," said Prospect coach Mike Riedy. "These guys expect to beat anyone who walks into the gym."
Other key contributors for the Broncos' offense were Caleb Rohlwing, Collin Fox, Luke Hartke and Justin Olszewski while Kevin Slawacki and Nathan Chung had some big moments for the Knights throughout the match.
"I think we did a really good job on serve reception, and our setter (Rowley) was doing great too," said O'Riordan, whose team trailed 17-10 in Set 1. "For a freshman coming out here I would be nervous, but he (Cole Hartke) did a great job especially during those nervous moments of the game."