The Mundelein boys volleyball team expected practice on April 16 to be like any other. It wasn’t.
Coach George Dressen announced a change in the lineup. Senior Blake Graham, who had been playing outside hitter, was moved to libero. Freshman Trevon Jackson, a middle blocker, slid to the outside.
“We made the switch as Blake is leading the team in serve receive and digs, so we should put him in the hottest spot on the court, which is libero,” Dressen said.
Jackson, a 6-foot-4 powerhouse of a hitter, was struggling slightly with his swing percentage from the middle.
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“He [Jackson] has more confidence hitting from around the pins [outside] than in the middle,” senior setter Anthony Fiore said.
The timing of the move was strategic. On Friday and Saturday, the Mustangs were scheduled to play five matches in the Lake County Invitational. After only one practice with the new lineup, the Mustangs lost Friday matches to Highland Park and top seed Zion-Benton.
A sluggish two-game loss to Lake Zurich came early Saturday morning.
“We realized that other teams are not going to stop playing,” Fiore said. “We have to give them our best competition the entire match.”
In the next match, a 25-15, 25-15 victory over Antioch, Mundelein finally played with consistent effort and execution. Graham initiated offense from the back row, getting passes to Fiore, who set balls for Jackson at the right pin and 6-3 senior Roman Tkachuk in the middle. Mundelein’s blocking improved on the outside as opposing hitters scuffled attempting to finish swings with Jackson roaming near the pins.
A two-game win over Chesterton (Indiana) followed. A 2-3 record at the Lake County event moved the Mustangs’ record to 8-10.
“We were a little looser on the floor, which makes them play better,” Dressen said. “The more excited they get, the more fun they have, the better they play.”
Dressen said he expects to keep the lineup from last weekend intact for the remainder of the season.
“As we establish this lineup, I think it will make a big difference,” he said.
That’s fine with the 6-1 Fiore. A first-year setter, Fiore learned the position while playing for his club team, Chicago Bounce.
Fiore admits his passing is farther along than his communication with teammates, and he understands the job of a setter is more than just hosting precise passes. Mundelein has two freshmen who have earned playing time in Jackson and libero Abram Nazario, and more experienced players also are learning in their new positions.
All of the dynamics require regular communication.
“I have to keep myself in check that these are two players [Jackson and Nazario] that this is their first year playing high school volleyball,” Fiore said. “They are on a learning curve. I really have to keep calm and try and keep their spirits up as much as I can.”
If Mundelein continues to improve, keeping spirits up won’t be that hard.
“We think this lineup will do well for us,” Dressen said. “They have the talent.”
Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @prepspioneer