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Boys volleyball: Stevenson's strong play continues at Palatine

Two years ago, Chris Ehler was looking forward to playing on the Stevenson varsity as a sophomore, but the pandemic put an end to that as the season was canceled.

That was disappointing, and so was last year's playoffs, when the Patriots came in as a No. 3 seed but lost to Maine West in a regional semifinal.

Now it's a new year and Ehler and his teammates are back.

And according to the 6-foot-4 middle hitter, now a senior, they're stronger than ever.

The Patriots improved to 24-2 on the season Tuesday night with a 25-11, 25-16 nonconference boys volleyball win at Palatine.

"Somewhat, I think it's experience, but mostly it's mental toughness," said Ehler of Stevenson's top-notch campaign thus far. "Last year, that loss (in regionals) was hard, but we've come back with a different mentality, and we've grown a lot closer as a team."

The Pirates have had a difficult start to the week, with games against two of the top teams in the state - Monday against Barrington (also a 2-loss team), and then the Patriots.

"I feel like our season has kind of been like that," said Palatine coach Pete Gavin. "We've played some heavy hitters, but that's what you want."

"It's tough when you look at our record, but we're playing for the postseason, and when you have matches against teams like this, it helps you see what you need to do to win."

Five different hitters - Sam Nuudel, Christian Headley, Karl Lutz, Eric Hartman and Daniel Nuudel - had kills early in set one for Stevenson, and Sam Nuudel served two aces as well as Stevenson scored early and often to take the one game match lead.

"These guys are selfless," said Patriots coach Eric Goolish of his team. "They play as a group and they play for each other."

"When somebody goes up to swing, they know they don't have to score, just make a smart play because they know they've got other people behind them if (the opponent) digs and comes back."

Palatine fell behind early in the second set, but rallied behind three kills from senior Bobby Widlowski and then a block in the middle from classmate Owen Vukelich, and grabbed a 10-9 lead.

"We did a better job in set two simplifying what we were doing on serve receive," said Gavin. "This game is all about serve and serve receive, and Stevenson is where they're at right now because of their ball control."

After a timeout, Stevenson got a sideout and then took the lead back for good on a block by Ehler.

They extended the advantage in the latter stages, got to 24-16, then a set by Daniel Nuudel and a kill from Lutz closed out the match.

Murad Shahzadah and Daniel Nuudel led the Patriots' defensive effort with 6 digs apiece.

"We talked (before the season) about how we wanted to do better as a group, and play as one team," said Ehler, "and now we're better than ever."

It was senior night at Palatine, and in addition to Widlowski and Vukelich, the Pirates celebrated the careers of Ethan Leigh, CJ Kendrick, Ian Lambert, Chris Parlier, Justin Szwaya, Matt Attak, Tommy Borowiec, Jackson Wheat and Noah Casillas.

"Last week I was talking to our coaches," said Gavin, "and I said how much I enjoy just being around these guys. They're good people, fun people."

"We talk about life lessons with the kids, and there's nothing I can teach them that they haven't learned in the last two years already. What all these high school kids have gone through, I'm so proud of them, and they're going to be doing some amazing things in life."

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