Murnane leads Spartans past Elk Grove

Joey Murnane came to the rescue for St. Francis.

Murnane produced two big kills from the outside in Game 3 with the score tied at 14 in the host Spartans’  26-24, 16-25, 25-21 victory over Elk Grove Friday in the sectional semifinals.

The 6-2 senior finished with 15 kills and 10 digs for St. Francis (35-3). Jay Hayes made 18 critical digs and 6-7 Bob Vonderhaar added eight kills.

“We started blocking better,” Murnane said. “That was the difference.”

Bryan Skwirut of Elk Grove (23-9) had a season-high 20 kills and Robin Phillip added 19 digs.

In the other semifinal, Neal Whittington’s three big kills for Wheaton Warrenville South stopped a Game 2 rally by Conant. The Tigers (31-7) prevailed 25-17, 25-23.

Whittington, Neill Nystrom, Evan Muelle and Joe Kelly each had six kills. Kelly added 23 assists for WW South.

Peter Lauterbach had seven kills for Conant (27-10).