Sophomore outside hitter Erik Stover is honest about Lakes’ potential this season.
“I really don’t have any idea,” he said, laughing. “We are so young and just getting to know each other on the court after losing so many seniors last year.”
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The Eagles’ growing pains might not last as long as expected, however, given their talented underclassmen.
Lakes coach Greg Bruns could only smile and shake his head after watching his team’s up-and-down play against visiting Waukegan on Tuesday.
The Eagles showed their youthfulness while getting blown out in the first game but rallied for a 12-25, 25-21, 25-18 nonconference victory.
“We only have two seniors in our starting lineup, but our younger guys have a lot of potential,” Bruns said. “Of course, playing with confidence throughout a match is something we are still working on.”
The 6-foot-2 Stover led Lakes (2-6) with nine kills and two blocks against Waukegan (1-2), which is just as young as the Eagles. Like his teammates, Stover didn’t get going until the second game.
“We were just not ready to play,” Stover said. “We didn’t get hyped up until the second and third games. Slow starts are something we are going to have to learn to avoid.”
Stover has been playing competitive volleyball since he was in seventh grade, starting with club teams. As a freshman last season, he played on Lakes’ junior varsity team but was able to sit on the bench for a few varsity matches.
“I learned a lot by just watching the varsity play,” he said.
Stover doesn’t leave the court this season, combining with sophomore David Synovic and junior Kaden Martin to give the Eagles hitting power up front. Stover also helps out with solid defense and serving, as does junior setter Will Haak.
“Erik and Kaden do a great job for us on the outside,” Bruns said. “They move well, so it helps us keep our offense varied. We were working on Erik’s approach (to the net), and if he gets that steady, he’s going to be tough to stop.
“We are still putting in a lot of things in hopes of getting better, so it’s definitely a work in progress right now.”
Stover said he wants to continue playing volleyball in college.
“This is my only sport, and I love it,” he said. “All the work I’m putting in, I would like to see it pay off on the next level.”
Lakes is in the middle of one of its toughest stretches of the season. The Eagles opened against Lake County powers Vernon Hills and Stevenson in late March before competing in the Conant Invitational. They also will see plenty of good teams in the Warren Invitational this weekend.
“We are going to play around 12 matches in eight days, and the competition is going to be strong,” Bruns said. “With this type of schedule, we have to try to use it to our advantage to get some of our players some needed experience.”
Experience might be what the Eagles need to become a solid team this season and in the future.
“We might have our ups and downs this season, but I’m really looking forward to next season and beyond,” Stover said. “I think with the players we have coming back the next few years, we could be something.”
Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.