Darren Day – Page 3 –

Vernon Hills' Ben Miller (13) reacts after recording a kill against Libertyville during the Vernon Hills Regional championship match on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

David Rzepa’s big night ends with Vernon Hills’ graduation. What came first makes it ‘even more special.’

May 26, 2023 at 12:21 p.m.

There's more than one reason David Rzepa wanted to win Vernon Hills' regional championship match on his home court on Thursday. Shortly after the match, Rzepa and the Cougars' other...

Stevenson's Samuel Nuudel, right, spikes the ball past Libertyville's Gavin Shelagowski during a North Suburban Conference match in Lincolnshire on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

‘Special talent’ Samuel Nuudel eyes a special postseason. Stevenson’s conference title is just the start.

May 19, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

Samuel Nuudel is one of the best volleyball players in Stevenson history. He can be dominant. But the senior outside hitter knows it doesn't matter much if the Patriots don't...

Antioch's Gavin Nelson, left, and Keith Hill react after scoring a point against Lakes during a Northern Lake County Conference match in Lake Villa on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Injuries had Antioch’s Gavin Nelson worried about his senior season. But he’s turning it into a banner one.

May 10, 2023 at 12:48 p.m.

Antioch's Gavin Nelson knows how you finish is more important than how you start. Nelson suffered a sprained ankle during a preseason practice and then rolled the other ankle in...

Vernon Hills' Brian Kim tracks the ball during a match against Deerfield in Vernon Hills on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Brian Kim expects Vernon Hills to win ‘no matter who’ plays for the team. The junior setter is doing his part.

May 9, 2023 at 12:22 p.m.

Junior setter Brian Kim was confident Vernon Hills could win a third consecutive Central Suburban North title this season. That he and multiple other players were new to coach Chris...

Antioch's Matthew Schultz serves during a match against North Chicago in Antioch on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Matthew Schultz’s intro to volleyball at Antioch ‘was a little scary.’ Learning — and winning — changes that.

May 3, 2023 at 1:10 p.m.

Matthew Schultz was among a group of Antioch sophomores who decided to show up for a practice two years ago. At the time, Schultz wasn't sure what lay ahead in...

Waukegan's Landon Diaz goes up to spike the ball during a match against Zion-Benton in Waukegan on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Landon Diaz rallies Waukegan with ‘the heart and the ability’ that could extend his playing career

April 27, 2023 at 2:21 p.m.

Waukegan junior middle hitter Landon Diaz knew few other people thought it was possible. The Bulldogs, who had lost nine of their past 10 matches, were on the verge of...

Lakes' Kaden Martin (11) goes up to spike the ball against Grayslake North's Chase Mittlestaedt (18) and Adam Petraitis (9) during a match in Grayslake on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Kaden Martin applauds front-row teammates. But as he gets better, Lakes keeps winning. ‘He’s doing a great job.’

April 26, 2023 at 1:35 p.m.

Change has been good for Lakes senior outside hitter Kaden Martin. After all, amid the adjustments he has made, the Eagles haven't stopped winning in the Northern Lake County Conference....

Grayslake Central's Ryan Huntington (5) huddles with teammates and coaches during a timeout in a Northern Lake County Conference match against Grant in Grayslake on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Ryan Huntington thinks Grayslake Central can be ‘really something’ in seasons ahead. But his time is now.

April 19, 2023 at 12:52 p.m.

Surrounded by younger teammates this season, Grayslake Central senior Ryan Huntington has been pushed to be more than a solid all-around player. Changing positions was just the beginning. "He has...

Libertyville's Aleks Slesers (6) spikes the ball against Carmel's Xander Ikusz during a match in Mundelein on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Can Libertyville flex its muscles again? Luis Correa wants to make it happen. ‘He has so much talent.’

April 5, 2023 at 12:55 p.m.

Ten months after Libertyville reached the state semifinals, Luis Correa can look around the gym and see a much different team. That doesn't mean the senior setter expects any less....

Warren's Brandon Block (7) bumps the ball during a nonconference match against Vernon Hills in Gurnee on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

‘Hanging their heads’? Not Brandon Block and Warren, who take early losses in stride. They’re growing pains.

March 28, 2023 at 12:34 p.m.

Brandon Block knows victories won't come easy for Warren. The senior setter has started his second season in that role for the Blue Devils, so he understands the difficulty of...

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