Marist didn’t make life easy for Naperville Central’s big-hitting senior, Felix Egharevba. But when you’re a 6-foot-5 middle hitter who rotates in the back row, getting attacked in serve receive comes with the territory.
“We were trying to wear (Egharevba) down,” Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said. “You know he’s going to get set a ton. He’s going to get some big swings.”
The game plan worked in spurts, but it wasn’t enough.
Egharevba, a Ball State recruit, had nine kills, six digs and a block to guide Naperville Central past Marist 25-21, 25-22 Saturday in the championship of the 24-team Marist RedHawk Invitational.
“When I’m back there I’m telling myself, ‘I’m a middle doing serve receive,'” Egharevba said with a laugh. “That’s tough. But I’m happy they’re picking on me because of all the touches I get. I’m trying to get better every time.”
Egharevba showed his motor in crunch time. He teamed up with setter Tim Folliard in Game 2 for a block to give Naperville Central a 23-19 lead. Five points later, he put the match away with a big kill.
“(Egharevba) can fly through the air,” said Marist middle hitter Patrick Mahoney, who put together a strong match of his own with six kills and three blocks. “They’re a bunch of power hitters. That’s a really impressive team.”
Folliard had 19 assists and three blocks for Naperville Central (6-0). Vaughn Hallstrom added three aces, while 6-4 outside hitter John Davis looked impressive with a team-high 10 kills.
Folliard showed his physicality in the front row. His Game 1 block and roar through the net earned him the first yellow card of his career, but it seemed to give his teammates a surge of energy.
“Volleyball is a game of emotions,” Folliard said. “If you can get excited over the little things, like getting a yellow card, it makes a big difference for the team.”
Folliard was respectful to the referee. He turned, smiled and gave her a thumbs-up when the card was awarded.
“I told her to give me a yellow card in my last club tournament,” said Folliard, a three-year starter. “She gave me one here though, so it’s pretty funny.”
In turn, Naperville Central did something no team had accomplished since September: It took down a Marist volleyball team.
Vidovic coached the RedHawks girls program to a season-ending 32-match winning streak and the 2017 Class 4A state championship. The boys started 5-0 before falling Saturday.
Star junior Marty Jepsen led Marist (5-1) with 14 kills and nine digs. Rocky Mayer contributed 31 assists and Ryan Rappold had four blocks. Marist, though, was at its best when Jepsen and Mahoney were on the floor together.
“Even off the court, Pat bring so much energy to the team,” Jepsen said. “He picks up everyone up, which translates onto the court.”
In the third-place match, junior outside hitter Jack Yurkanin unloaded a kill and an ace to put the finishing touches on Lincoln-Way Central’s 25-19, 26-24 victory over Andrew.
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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