The jubilation was genuine after Lyons Township completed its best season in history with a third-place finish at Saturday’s boys volleyball finals.
The Lions swept St. Rita 15-13, 15-8 to close with the best record in the program’s history (32-10) and their best state finish in three appearances.
Players and coaches smiled broadly and exchanged handshakes and hugs as they accepted trophies and medals.
“It feels great,” Lyons coach Joann Pyritz said. “This was a great group of guys who worked well together. Everyone contributed and everyone’s happy for each other.
“It’s very hard to play that third-place game, but we really snapped out ouf it after that [semifinal] loss to Lake Forest. We turned it up a notch and we realized we’ve got to go for the next prize, which was third.”
Dan Meske had 14 kills and Phil Ardelean added 13 for the Lions. Nick Lomoglio had eight kills for the Mustangs, who closed at a school-record 29-13 and secured their first state trophy.
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Adding to the collection: Saturday’s trophy was the fourth piece of state hardware for Pyritz, long associated with the school, first as a player and now as a coach.
Pyritz played on the Lions’ 1976 girls state championship team and coached the 1989 girls title team. Her 2000 boys team finished fourth.
Back on board: It was just like old times for former St. Rita head coach Jim Palilonis, who was on the Mustangs’ bench this weekend.
Palilonis, who guided St. Rita to consecutive state appearances in 2000 and 2001, now lives in to Muncie, Ind., and served as a volunteer assistant for Ball State’s men’s program this season.
He apparently brought some good luck. The Cardinals reached the NCAA Division I Final Four this spring before falling to eventual national runner-up Pepperdine. Then he came back to Chicago to help the Mustangs in their bid for their first state trophy.
“I’ve been living on people’s couches for the last month and trying to get these guys together,” said Palilonis, who has spent most of the last month helping head coach Stan Kastelic. “They did a good job. They really accomplished a lot.”
Balance plays best: For Marist coach Lisa Sieger, state success is not necessarily achieved with superior talent. It’s how well a team plays at the right time that makes the difference.
“A lot of teams that should be here are not,” she said after Saturday’s 15-12, 15-11 semifinal sweep of St. Rita. “It’s who shows up and how you play and how you can control your emotions.
“We’re very strong and we’re the most well-rounded team that’s here this weekend.”