Scouts execute backup plan to perfection

Lakes' Jon Sieracke (11) returns the ball as Lake Forest's Rohan Vashi defends.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)

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If this was another day of the week, it would be called a Feel-Good Friday for Lake Forest.

That's because players who don't usually see any meaningful time saw plenty of it here Wednesday.

As a result, the highly regarded Scouts -- who were coming off a huge tournament win last weekend at Lincoln-Way East -- got past pesky Lakes 25-20, 25-23 in a North Suburban Conference match in a match that didn't figure to be that competitive.

Three of Lake Forest's regular starters didn't play at all and star thumper Larry Wrather played only in Game 1.

That created an opportunity for Cameron Bull, who responded with five kills in Game 2. Also starring on the night for the area's best team was junior setter Rohan Vashi who had the offense and had 12 assists.

"It's the most (kills) he's gotten this season," said Lake Forest coach Roy Werner of Bull. "He's a nice player, and could be a major factor with another team.

"He's found a different role on this team and has no problem with it."

As for Vashi, his coach had this to say: "I've been pleased with the way he's coming along. He's a real gamer out there and is improving."

Vashi played instead of Craig Roper, who never got the sweats off.

"It was nice to be able to rest some of our starters who have been nursing nagging injuries," said Werner. "Practicing against the starters has made this group better, as well."

Lake Forest is now 22-5 overall and 6-2 in the North Suburban Conference.

On the other side of the court, Lakes High coach Kara Harper saw some things she liked from her Eagles. "I have no complaints," she said. "We played pretty well. We blocked well and had some nice digs."

Matt Lewis led the Eagles (3-19) with five blocks and defensive specialist George Wilson had several digs to keep Lakes within striking distance.

"Lake Forest has some real thumpers," said Harper, "and we did a good job keeping the ball in play."