Solomon sparks Trevians to title

Jesse Solomon gave New Trier a big advantage in its 25-19, 25-22 win over Glenbrook North Tuesday in the Niles North Sectional championship in Skokie.

“I don’t know what my wingspan is,” said Solomon, who had four kills and three blocks. “I am 6-5.”

In the first game, New Trier (33-6) used its front line of Solomon, Bennett Wakenight (5 kills), Alex Cook (5 kills) and Andrew Gates (7 kills) to go on an 8-1 run early to build a 9-2 lead. Glenbrook North rallied behind Scott Schwartz’s two blocks and a kill to forge a tie at 14.

That’s when Solomon took over. The senior, who is headed to the University of Miami, had two blocks and a kill for points as the Trevians ran off seven unanswered points to cruise to the 25-19 Game 1 win.

In the second game, Glenbrook North (30-9) came out on fire. The Spartans built a 12-6 lead behind Patrick Bedford (4 kills), Luke Jacobson (5 kills) and Zohaib Mevawalla (4 kills).

New Trier then rallied, going on an 11-1 run. The Trevians scored six of those points while Solomon served. New Trier clinched the match 25-22 on Solomon’s kill.

“We knew where they were going,” Solomon said. “We played great defense against them.”

“Our seniors came up big for us,” New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak said. “They were confident out there.”

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