Stevenson's Blocking Force Edges Vernon Hills

's boys volleyball team blocks so well that those middle hitters could form an offensive line come football season.

Well, not quite, but those fearsome blockers like Mitch Robinson, Jason Fleischman, and Aaron Zalewski give opponents fits at the net. However, ask outside hitter Danny Gescheidle who really is the best blocker on Stevenson's 12-match winner and he'll point to the setter.

That's right, 6-foot-1 senior Zachary Kravits. Stevenson coach Tim Crow is certainly glad to have a solid blocker in the setting position.

"Zach is an excellent blocker,'' Crow said. "It's a luxury having him in the front row. He gets up in the air fast."

Wednesday night's road game was at Vernon Hills. And for all of the first set and most of the second, it looked like Stevenson's blocking crew might blow the home team off the court. Instead it went the distance. Stevenson held on for dear life to post a 25-16, 22-25, 25-23 victory.

"We had great blocking,''Gescheidle said. "But we lost a lot of energy in that second game and we couldn't stay with them. In that third game, we got our energy back."

Vernon Hills (13-4) had earned preseason notice as a team to watch in the state. But the Cougars had no answers for the blocking clan from Lincolnshire. On block kills from Kravitz and Zalewski, it looked to be over early. On a kill from Niki Antonijevic (seven kills), the Pats opened a 16-11 lead in set two. And then the Cougars made a stand.

Set three was the close all of the way. The Pats looked in some trouble when the Cougars opened a 20-18 lead. However, a tough kill from Gescheidle (five kills) and another block from Kravits this set was knotted at 22-22.

Fleischman led the Pats in blocking with eight. Robinson was tough at the net with six blocks.

"Mitch was sensational tonight,'' Crow said.

Antonjevic added four blocks.

Libero Darien Wu had 12 digs on defense. Antonijevic (12 digs) and Stefan Boes (10 digs) also helped out.

Setter Kravits notched 17 assists.

The Palatine Tournament is up next for this squad. Crow reports his squad will stay busy with 15 matches in the next 21 days.