Richards took some uncharacteristic lumps through the first month of the season.
But Bulldogs coach Troy Grevengoed is hopeful his team can put things together in time for another run at the South Suburban Conference title.
“It’s wide open right now,” Grevengoed said.
A primary cause for his optimism is the play of Colton Stermer. The 6-5 senior opened the season at middle hitter, but moved to outside after an injury threw Richards’ lineup out of whack.
The move is paying dividends. Not only does Richards have a chance to feed its best player on a consistent basis, but Stermer is turning into a capable passer, ranking among the Bulldogs’ best serve-receivers.
“I told Grevengoed before the season started that I wanted to be outside,” said Stermer, owner of a 34-inch vertical and 10-9 reach. “I wasn’t thrilled about (playing middle), but I took the position he needed me at.
“Now I get to touch the ball the entire game. I don’t like to brag, but me being out there the entire time helps.”
Stermer showed his worth as a six-rotation player Tuesday night. The senior tallied nine kills and a block as Richards drubbed St. Laurence 25-16, 25-23 in Oak Lawn.
Carlos Draper added four blocks and David Allen had four kills and an ace for Richards (5-8), which won consecutive South Suburban titles before falling to Oak Forest last season.
“We’re watching film and going over the mistakes we’re making,” Stermer said. “Sometimes we look like we can take on all these teams in two games, but we need to play more consistent.”
Don Curley and Matt Evans led St. Laurence (1-13) with four kills apiece. Sophomore outside hitter Brandon Butz chipped in three kills.
“That was one of our most complete matches that we’ve played this season,” Vikings coach Ryan Denson said. “We’ve got a young team and we’re starting to come around a little bit right now.”
Richards controlled the first game without a hitch but nearly needed three after falling behind 15-11 in Game 2. That’s when the Bulldogs looked to Stermer, who put away two kills and three service points over the next seven points.
“We knew they were going to zone in on (Stermer) and set him anytime they could,” Denson said. “We just couldn’t stop their attack. We got a couple touches, a couple digs, but we were too much out of system.”
St. Laurence led 22-20 on a kill from Curley, but Draper followed with a block and Stermer landed a kill to tie the match at 23. Mousa Abutaa broke the tie after terminating an extended rally.
St. Laurence tried to serve aggressively but put too many balls into the net. Stermer also handled a nice jump-serve from setter Tim Delaney.
“It’s a super tough for a middle to switch to outside, but watching him progress — this is only his third year playing — he looks like a natural passer,” Grevengoed said.
Lincoln-Way West 25-25, Reavis 19-7: Jake Gasparich (6 digs) supplied 10 kills and Michael Wexter dished out 21 assists for Lincoln-Way West (13-0).
Brother Rice 27-22-25, Loyola 25-25-25: Pat Hollander had 32 assists and Jimmy Baker added 13 kills for Brother Rice (7-5, 2-0) in the Catholic League Blue.
Baseball
More Top Picks Best Weighted Hoodies For Autism
Marist 3, Montini 0: Jack Snyder (5 innings) scattered two hits and Jake Powers registered an RBI single to boost Marist (8-1).
Lemont 12, T.F. South 0: Nick Wisz (4-for-5, 2 runs) contributed a two-run homer and three RBI for Lemont (6-3, 4-0) in the South Suburban Blue.
Crete-Monee 18, Rich East 2: Winner Payton Juarez (unearned run, 6 strikeouts) tossed four innings and also swatted a two-run homer to lead Crete-Monee (5-7, 2-1 Southland).
Lincoln-Way North 5, Homewood-Flossmoor 4: Tom Szczasny notched an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to elevate Lincoln-Way North (8-5-1).
Illiana Christian 3, Chicago Christian 1: Colin Lautenbach’s two-run homer sparked Illiana Christian in the Metro Suburban East (4-1, 1-1).
Reavis 4, Eisenhower 2: Andrew Padilla (earned run, 8 strikeouts) pitched a two-hitter for Reavis (5-8, 3-1) in the South Suburban Red.
Stagg 7, Andrew 6: Mitchell Spencer scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth to vault Stagg (7-5).
Richards 8, Oak Lawn 5: Angelo Smith (11 strikeouts) went the distance in addition to going 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Richards (5-6, 3-2) in the South Suburban Red.
Bloom 4, Rich Central 2: Everett Swinson (unearned run) struck out seven over five innings to pace Bloom (5-7, 3-0) in the Southland.
Marian Catholic 2, Lincoln-Way Central 1: Kellen Williams (2-for-3) and Phil Faso provided RBIs for Marian Catholic (6-2-1).
Tinley Park 11, Bremen 7: Alec Foster (2-for-2, run) and Connor Ceglarz (2-for-5, run) collected three RBIs apiece for Tinley Park (6-3, 2-2) in the South Suburban Red.
Softball
Lincoln-Way East 6, Marist 3: Ami Ill (1-for-4, 2 runs) stroked a two-run double for Lincoln-Way East (6-2).
Mother McAuley 11, Fenwick 1: Dara Sanders (1-hitter) fanned 13 and Maryssa Vela (2-for-5, 3 RBIs) belted a two-run homer to spur Mother McAuley (7-2).
Lincoln-Way North 10, Homewood-Flossmoor 0: Bri Cappos (3-for-3) contributed two runs and two RBIs for Lincoln-Way North (7-2).
Naperville Central 4, Lockport 3: Zara Voulgaris (2-for-4, 2 RBI) slugged a solo homer for Lockport (8-3).
Marian Catholic 7, Sandburg 1: Allison Spence (2-hitter, 9 strikeouts) pitched a complete game and Gabi Angellotti (3-for-4, HR) posted three RBIs for Marian Catholic (8-2).
Evergreen Park 7, Oak Lawn 0: Caroline Andrade (3-for-3) doubled and knocked in two runs for Evergreen Park (6-3, 5-2) in the South Suburban Red.
Chicago Christian 11, Timothy Christian 1: Bre Vollan starred on the mound (complete game, 12 strikeouts) and at the plate (2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) for Chicago Christian (4-5-1, 2-0) in the Metro Suburban East.
Richards 12, Eisenhower 1: Emily Wetzel hit a grand slam to power Richards (5-5, 4-2) in the South Suburban Red.
Girls Soccer
Lemont 5, Shepard 0: Madelyn Bermele netted a hat trick for Lemont (5-1-1, 3-0) in the South Suburban crossover.
Stagg 4, Marian Catholic 0: Jazmin Castanon’s two goals powered Stagg (9-2).
Reavis 3, Maine East 0: Celeste Lara netted two goals for Reavis (5-5) in the PepsiCo Showdown’s consolation bracket.
College Baseball
Wisconsin-Parkside 2-1, Lewis 1-6: Eric Luecht (1-4) pitched a one-hitter and fanned seven for Lewis (15-18, 10-14) in the finale of the GLVC East doubleheader.
College Softball
St. Xavier 9-6, Trinity International 0-0: Nicole Nonnemacher (15-2) struck out all 15 batters she faced to lead St. Xavier (31-3-2, 13-0-1) in Game 1 of the CCAC doubleheader.
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southrown. Freelance reporter Josh Krockey contributed to this story.
More Top Picks Best Robotic Lawn Mowers For Acre Lots