Darren Day – Page 9 –

Vernon Hills' Erik Giezycki, center, spikes one past Warren's Nate Everly, left, and Jacob Brouillard during a match in Vernon Hills on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Vernon Hills’ Erik Giezycki is the 2022 News-Sun Boys Volleyball Player of the Year

June 16, 2022 at 3:04 p.m.

Erik Giezycki made quite a first impression on the Vernon Hills program during the spring of 2019. Chris Curry hadn't seen a freshman capable of starting at the all-important setter...

Libertyville's Patrick Akers (16) spikes the ball away from an Oak Park-River Forest blocker during a state quarterfinal in Hoffman Estates on Friday, June 3, 2022. Libertyville won 17-25, 25-23, 25-15.

Behind Patrick Akers, Libertyville rallies once again to upend Oak Park-River Forest in a state quarterfinal: ‘We just seem to pull together.’

June 3, 2022 at 5:26 p.m.

Libertyville's Patrick Akers doesn't worry much about losing the first set of a match. Even in a state quarterfinal. "We trust each other, and when we get down, we just...

Carmel's Matt Herron spikes the ball during a Vernon Hills Regional semifinal against Mundelein on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

Matt Herron’s season is just starting this week. With him in the lineup, Carmel keeps it going. ‘I don’t want it to end.’

May 25, 2022 at 9:51 a.m.

Matt Herron had to wait a long time for his senior season to begin. Herron missed Carmel's first 33 matches after suffering a concussion during club play just before the...

Wauconda's Belle Johnson, left, and Jordan Bodden, right, celebrate Johnson's goal during a Class 2A Vernon Hills Regional championship game against the host Cougars on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Wauconda’s Belle Johnson answers the bell in a Class 2A regional final: ‘Definitely one of the most talented players in the area.’

May 22, 2022 at 10:24 a.m.

Belle Johnson's road to another Class 2A state championship game will go through Wauconda. Johnson, who was a freshman when the Bulldogs lost to Benet in the 2019 state final,...

Vernon Hills' Erik Giezycki sets the ball during a match at Deerfield on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Long Island recruit Erik Giezycki leads Vernon Hills’ 2nd straight undefeated march through the CSL North: ‘It’s pretty amazing.’

May 18, 2022 at 1:34 p.m.

Vernon Hills senior Erik Giezycki obviously knows how to win. The 6-foot-3 setter has been a leader as the Cougars have run the table in the Central Suburban North for...

Zion-Benton's Chris Anderson (9) spikes the ball toward Waukegan's Christopher Barrera (23) during a match in Zion on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Zion-Benton senior Chris Anderson’s height can deceive. The 5-foot-9 outside hitter’s ‘athleticism is out of the gym.’

May 12, 2022 at 3:04 p.m.

Zion-Benton senior Chris Anderson's height might suggest he wouldn't match up well against the taller blockers in the North Suburban Conference. The 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter is doing just fine,...

Grayslake Central's Collin Engelhardt, left, and Jonathan Piggott, center, go up to block against Lakes' Will Haak during a match in Grayslake on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

Jonathan Piggott emerges as a weapon at the net at an opportune time for Grayslake Central: ‘We’re putting things together right now.’

May 11, 2022 at 12:40 p.m.

Grayslake Central coach Dan Erlenbaugh isn't surprised senior outside hitter Jonathan Piggott has been playing his best toward the end of the regular season. Piggott was the Rams' setter when...

Grayslake Central's Jake Beshel, center, tries to spike the ball past Antioch's Charlie Robison, left, and Matthew Schultz during a match in Antioch on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Jake Beshel kick-starts Grayslake Central’s bid to contend in the NLCC. The senior outside hitter thinks the Rams can ‘make a run.’

April 13, 2022 at 1:24 p.m.

Jake Beshel is not sure how much more competitive volleyball is in his future. However, the Grayslake Central senior is happy to be one of the top outside hitters in...

Lakes' Erik Stover serves during a match against Waukegan in Lake Villa on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

Erik Stover realizes ‘ups and downs’ are likely for Lakes. The talented but young team experiences that against Waukegan.

April 6, 2022 at 1:34 p.m.

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...

Grant's Richard Siebeck Jr. (18) spikes the ball during a match against Zion-Benton in Zion on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Richard Siebeck Jr. among reasons coach John Gizowski, a former Grant player, thinks these Bulldogs ‘can be special’

April 5, 2022 at 2:37 p.m.

Grant middle hitter Richard Siebeck Jr. has been waiting for this season. "A lot of us have been on varsity for three years, so we've been looking forward to making...

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