For followers of boys volleyball at Zion-Benton, what’s happening on the court this spring has a different feel when compared with what occurred during the program’s successful season in 2012.
That year, the team had a “best of the rest” feel to it, as the squad struggled against the top schools all during the regular season, then somehow found the formula for success in late May to make a magical run to the sectional finals in the state playoffs.
In contrast, the current squad simply feels like the best … and there is no “of the rest” to it.
The latest indication came this past weekend when Zion-Benton (18-1) won the Lake County Invite by going 5-0 with victories over Highland Park, Mundelein, Lake Forest, Libertyville and Lakes.
Zion has now won two tourney titles this spring, including a season-opening event at Maine East. And it probably feels It should have a third, but the Bees were denied at the St. Charles East Invite by Plainfield South. That 25-19, 25-21 loss is the lone blemish on the season that continued with a match against Stevenson on Monday night. The Bees’ next match is at Mundelein on Wednesday.
Zion’s wins at the Lake County Invite were 25-21, 25-18 over Highland Park, 25-18, 25-15 over Mundelein, 27-25, 25-23 over Lake Forest, 25-23, 27-25 over Libertyville, and 25-15, 25-23 over Lakes in the finals.
A key for Zion over the weekend was its strong play at the net.
Kyle Fitzgerald, who has signed to play next year at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, had 50 kills in the tourney while sharing the front-row spotlight with fellow senior Dillon Appenzeller, who had 37.
Setting them up was Scott Opeka, who totaled 107 assists in five matches.
Still, Zion coach Jake Carlson knows his team can and must get better if it’s to be playing in late May and early June.
“Yes, for sure,” Carlson said when asked if his team can continue to improve. “Serving has to get tougher and more consistent. And our passing and defense can always get better.”
This year’s Lake County Invite featured 11 area schools plus a JV team from Chesterton, Ind.
After Zion-Benton and Lakes (10-10), third went to Libertyville, fourth to Grant and fifth to Carmel. Lake Forest, Stevenson, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Antioch and Chesterton finished 6-12.
Lakes’ journey to the finals included a win over Chesterton, a loss to Libertyville, a 25-21 Game 3 win over Carmel, and then a 25-22, 14-25, 25-16 win over Grant in the semifinals.
In the championship match, University of Hawaii-bound senior Dalton Solbrig had 16 kills, but it wasn’t nearly enough to upset Zion.
In five matches, Solbrig had 66 kills, 14 blocks and 19 digs. Other leaders for the Eagles were Colton Jewell (87 assists, 7 kills, 8 blocks), Nick Halberg (21 kills, 10 blocks, 22 digs), Avery Brodde (12 kills, 17 blocks), and Zach Powell (13 blocks, 16 digs, 10 assists).
Lakes’ next match is at home on Wednesday against Libertyville.
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