Reigning state champion Lincoln-Way East and perennial power Brother Rice combined to go 76-4 last season as the Southland dominated a sizable portion of the state’s volleyball headlines.
This year is a bit different.
While East and Brother Rice are still among the state’s premier programs, both have had their ups and downs against brute competition after being stung by graduation. East brought back just one starter, defensive specialist-turned-libero Robbie Hoffman, while Brother Rice returned middle hitter Spencer Scott and libero Zack Rothstein.
“We’re both in a similar position,” East coach Kris Fiore said. “A lot of young guys and new faces.”
The Griffins were a bit better Friday night. Nick Lilley had eight kills and Hoffman contributed 16 digs as East took a 28-26, 25-21 victory in Frankfort.
Freshman outside hitter Ian Piet chipped in seven kill for the Griffins (12-8), while Lucas Galifos and Cameron Harper added six kills apiece.
“I think we have what it takes to make another run,” said Lilley, the Griffins’ leader in kills.
Brother Rice (8-6) received 10 kills from standout sophomore Jimmy Baker. Rothstein posted 10 digs, Pat Hollander had 10 assists and Scott four kills.
“We haven’t even come close to hitting our stride yet,” Brother Rice coach Dan Dwyer said. “We’re still not 100 percent running the system, but we’ll get there.”
After falling into a three-point deficit early in Game 1, the Crusaders rallied around the the play of Baker. The 6-foot outside hitter put down a kill for an 18-16 advantage and later scored from the back row for a 21-18 lead.
“I’m really impressed with Jimmy Baker,” Dwyer said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete.”
But East never quit. Galifos and Piet landed back-to-back kills to give East a 25-24 lead. The pair posted two more kills over the final five points to close the set.
“(Piet) just got brought up to the varsity this week,” Fiore said. “He’s going to stay up.”
Fiore also commended setters Eric Hess and Matt Breitbarth for keeping East’s attack diverse.
“We had five kids with four or more kills,” Fiore said. “That’s really good.”
East led wire-to-wire in Game 2, taking a 15-9 lead on a kill from Eric Van Dyck.
Rice moved within 23-20 on a well-placed ace from Rothstein, but Harper responded with a block and Lilley closed the action with a roll shot.
“I do have a lot of pressure on me because I guess I’m the go-to-guy now,” Lilley said. “We’re all still getting used to each other, and we’re getting better as the season progresses.”
Baseball
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St. Laurence 11, Montini 0: Angel Sandoval (6 strikeouts) scattered three hits over six innings and Anthony Rios (3-for-4) posted two RBIs to guide St. Laurence (11-3) in the Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament.
Lincoln-Way North 6, Oak Forest 3: Austin Konagel (2-for-3, run, 3 RBIs) provided a two-run single and Pat Troike scored two runs in pacing Lincoln-Way North (11-5-1).
Marist 2, Sandburg 0: Ben Chafee (4 innings) and Brandon Hanik combined on a two-hitter to spur Marist (10-1). John Carmody was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Crete-Monee 12, Illinois Lutheran 2: Blake Milburn (3 runs) smashed a three-run homer to power Crete-Monee (7-7).
Joliet Central 11, Stagg 8: Max Downs (3-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) and Brett Stratinsky (2 doubles, 2 RBIs) led Stagg (8-6, 1-1) in the SouthWest Suburban Blue.
Lockport 10, Bolingbrook 5: Ryne Travis (2-for-3, run) and Colin Cronberg bashed two-run doubles for Lockport (9-4, 2-0 SWSC Blue).
Rich South 11, Rich Central 8: Malcolm Dunlap (3-for-4, 2 RBIs) aided Rich South (6-7, 2-2) in the Southland.
Simeon 8, Morgan Park 6: Tyler Hill contributed a two-run triple for Morgan Park (12-6, 2-1 Jackie Robinson South).
Lincoln-Way Central 11, Thornridge 1: T.J. Papousek (3-for-4, double) scored three runs and Steve Likins (2-for-4, run) had three RBIs to spark Lincoln-Way Central (7-7, 2-0 SWSC Red).
Shepard 9, Riverside-Brookfield 3: Kyle Longfield clubbed a three-run double to key Shepard (11-3).
Tinley Park 10, Bloom 7: Steve Gonzalez (4 RBIs) hit a three-run double to carry Tinley Park (8-4).
Softball
Joliet Catholic 1, Romeoville 0: Alyssa Callans tossed a two-hitter and struck out six to lead Joliet Catholic (5-7).
Lockport 16, Joliet Central 2: Zara Voulgaris hit a two-run homer and Lindsey Schackle (2-run double) supplied four RBIs to vault Lockport (10-3, 2-0 SWSC Blue).
Mother McAuley 4, Lincoln-Way North 1: Amy Balich (3-for-4) had two RBIs and Maryssa Vela (2-for-3, 3 runs) added a solo homer to lift Mother McAuley (10-3).
T.F. South 5, Argo 2: Devin Pieper (5-hitter, 9 strikeouts) pitched a complete game and also went 2-for-4 with a run to pace T.F. South (8-4, 7-2) in the South Suburban crossover.
Lincoln-Way West 21, Thornwood 6: April Lewandowski (double, 3 runs) and Brooke Robbins (2-for-5, double) had four RBIs apiece for Lincoln-Way West (6-6, 1-1 SWSC Red).
Sandburg 12, Bolingbrook 0: Paige Chladek (2-for-3) doubled, tripled and knocked in three runs to propel Sandburg (10-6, 2-0 SWSC Blue).
Beecher 15, Kankakee 7: Kate Landis (5-for-6, 2 RBIs) starred for Beecher (9-2).
College Baseball
St. Francis 12, Olivet Nazarene 11: Kevin Mampe (3-for-6, 3 RBIs) hit a game-tying two-run single in the bottom of the ninth, then had an RBI single in the 11th to boost St. Francis (19-21, 15-6 CCAC South).
South Suburban 21, Waubonsee 10: Jake Hickey (3-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs) ripped a three-run homer for South Suburban (19-13).
Trinity Christian 9, Purdue Calumet (Ind.) 5: Marty Mennenga (3-for-4, 2 runs) had two doubles and three RBIs for Trinity Christian (23-19, 13-9) in the CCAC South.
Women’s Track & Field
Kansas Relays: Lewis’ Stephanie Nielsen, Andrea Holm, Amanda Farrough and Zoe Mead won the distance medley (12 minutes, 7.80 seconds). Pole vaulter Rebecca Preisler (13 feet, 5.25 inches) and triple jumper Amber Cook (39-9.75) added school records for the Flyers.
Men’s Volleyball
Lewis 25-25-25, Ohio State 16-20-21: Eric Fitterer compiled 11 kills and six blocks for Lewis (23-2, 14-1) in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.
Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Freelance reporter Josh Krockey contributed to this story.
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