Knights top rival Griffins, again

Lincoln-Way Central rallied to capture its fourth victory of the season over rival Lincoln-Way East 20-25, 25-18, 25-23 in the Class AA Marian Catholic Regional semifinals on Tuesday.

The Griffins (19-17) overcame a 21-18 deficit in the third game to go ahead 23-22 following kills from Tim Huizinga (seven kills) and Joe Wilhelmsen (five kills, four blocks) and a hit into the net.

But the Knights (28-8) responded with kills from Corey Bingham (11 kills) and Brian Thorp (10 kills, six blocks, 13 digs, 18 assists) and won the match following a hit into the net.

"It is always down to the wire when we play East," Knights coach Joann Holverson said. "There's such a great rivalry between the two of us and there's always a lot of intensity."

Lincoln-Way Central, which tied a school record for wins, meets Belleville Althoff in Wednesday's regional finals. The Griffins had eliminated the Knights from the postseason in the past four years.

Other leaders for the Knights were Dan Tanjic (nine kills, three blocks), Connor Wexter (17 assists) and Bobby Brodinski (12 digs).

The Griffins were paced by Dan Hunt (26 assists, four blocks), Mike Bolhuis (12 kills, 10 digs) and Ryan Walenga (school-record 23 digs).