Providence eyes state's top prize

Providence's Eric Daliege (left) and Matt Teske celebrate their team's supersectional win over Marist.
(Carol Dorsett/SouthtownStar)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

Brett Krapil played on the first Providence Catholic High School boys volleyball squad that qualified for state and currently serves as an assistant coach on the school's next team to reach state.

In 1998, Krapil was a sophomore middle hitter for a team that was 35-1 entering the final weekend of the season. But the Celtics dropped their quarterfinal match to Buffalo Grove.

Ten years later, he assists the woman who coached that 1998 squad, Cindy Olczyk, on a Providence team that has been ranked for much of the season No. 1 in the state.

The Celtics (34-2) meet Glenbrook North (36-2) at 1 p.m. today in the quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates High School. The Spartans have won 29 straight matches since their last loss March 29.

Meanwhile, Providence has won 11 straight since falling May 12 at Wheaton St. Francis. A victory today would assure the program of its first trophy and tie the 1998 team for wins.

Its semifinal match would be at 10 a.m. Saturday against defending state champ Wheaton Warrenville South (31-7) or Catholic League rival Brother Rice (28-11). The final is set for 5:15 p.m. Saturday.

"It's surreal," Krapil said. "The No. 1 comparison between our two state teams is their hard work. As a sophomore, one thing I learned was what it took to get there. So my job is to help the guys understand that in order to help them get there.

"These guys have been working for this every day. They began working for it since before the season started so they deserve this. They're doing what it takes so we just have to stay focused. And I still don't think that we've peaked yet."

Another connection between the 1998 team and this year's involves one of the three senior co-captains, setter Jonathan Gustafson. His brother Joe was a co-captain and middle hitter for the previous state team.

"We know that we can do it as long as we just play our game," Gustafson said. "As long as we play our game and focus on what's inside the lines, then we can beat anybody.

"This is very nostalgic because my brother was a senior captain who went to state 10 years ago. They came out flat and lost to Buffalo Grove so that reminds me every day that I have to get our team up because I don't want that to happen."

Another one of the three co-captains is outside hitter Dan Ruzich, who has been on the varsity since he was a freshman.

"It's all about our consistency right now," Ruzich said. "We're starting to play really well and as we pick up our level of play, it also builds up our momentum for the next match. I think our level of intensity is what keeps that drive going. If we can keep that up, then I think we might be headed for good things."

Part of this team's success is due to its familiarity. Eric Daliege, the other co-captain and a middle hitter, went to the same grammar school as starters Chase Pavlick and Ruzich and seniors John Cichy, Ryan Surico and Joey Swintek.

"If we can play our game at state, then we should be good," Daliege said. "We have a tough road at state, but I think we can do it since we've been playing very well lately."

Senior outside hitter Hayden Grove leads the Celtics with 261 kills while Ruzich has 237 and Daliege 214. Daliege leads with 52 blocks while Gustafson adds 41 and Ruzich 36.

Gustafson has 882 assists and also leads the squad with 35 ace serves. Junior libero Brian Urchell and Ruzich both have collected 599 digs, while senior middle hitter Pavlick has 342.

No team from the Joliet area has played for a state championship in boys volleyball. Lincoln-Way East claimed fourth place last year and Lincoln-Way's 1999 team turned in the same finish.