Boys volleyball: Barrington sweeps Glenbard North for 11th regional crown
Even though Barrington's boys volleyball unit has been dominant in winning 34 of 36 matches en route to obtaining MSL West Division and conference titles as well as a No. 2 seed in the Schaumburg sectional, Broncos rookie coach Charlie Spry isn't taking anyone or anything for granted.
That goes for securing the same team bench on the east side of regional host Fremd's Fieldhouse. That's where they alongside their opponent in Thursday's final Glenbard North had prevailed in Tuesday's semifinals.
"Nobody's lost sitting on that side," Spry said upon his team's arrival.
And the team occupying that side once again, Barrington, emerged victorious with a 2-0 match victory over the ninth-seeded Panthers by scores of 25-15 and 25-19 to earn its 11th regional title and first since 2019.
The Broncos (35-2) advance to Saturday's Schaumburg sectional semifinal against Upstate Eight champ Bartlett. The sixth-seeded Hawks (26-5) bested No. 3 Wheaton North (27-10) also in a 2-0 result (25-15, 25-23) to capture the Addison Trail regional.
"We've done a real good job recently," Spry said. "Since we've made the turn into the postseason the level (of intensity) in our practices, the amount of our engagement, the focus on what we're trying to do as far as practice and game plans. Everybody has kind of turned up that notch, has dialed in (and) is trying to do what we talk about doing and it's showing."
In taking game one, the combination of junior setter Carsten Wegh and 6-foot-3 senior Caleb Rohlwing connected on a trio of scores as a part of a 6-1 run that helped Barrington pull away to an 18-12 lead. After the Panthers pulled within 19-14 on Joey Szardorski's kill, the Broncos went on a second 6-1 tear with 6-8 sophomore Cole Hardtke's third kill sealing the deal.
Game two saw DuKane champ Glenbard North (23-12) rally within 21-19 thanks to a 9-4 surge. That run was keyed by a pair of Eric Vu kills along with one each from Josh Stembridge (4 Kills) and Szardorski's third kill of the contest that Vu topped off with an ace.
It was there that Wegh (game-high 15 assists) took service guiding Barrington's final four points highlighted by the ace on match point.
Wegh talked of his of work in practice that has paved the way for his successful technical and logistical support to his teammates.
"I've been working a lot on my technique every day," Wegh said. "Coach (Spry) is very adamant that we stay focused all the time, make sure (that) you're engaged."
Glenbard North coach Debra DeBenedetti spoke of her squad's effort in defeat.
"There was a battle back and forth and we were right there. Then they started running right at the middle (of the court) and we weren't picking up any of the tips and that changed the momentum," DeBenedetti said. "Our kids kept battling. I'm so proud of them."