Miller brothers bide time for Hornets

With different intrests, the Miller brothers of Darien have never played volleyball together until this season.

But Liam and Sean Miller of Hinsdale South know their time together is limited once the playoffs start next week.

The Hornets are the 14th seed in the IMSA Sectional and open the postseason at 6:30 p.m. Monday against 19th-seeded Montini at Hinsdale South.

“It has put our relationship at a new level,” said younger brother Sean, regarding his older brother Liam. “He’s never been my teammate. I have enjoyed the year I’ve had with him.”

Sean is one of two sophomores on the Hornets (15-15, 1-4 West Suburban Gold) and plays right-side hitter and middle hitter. He was a 6-foot-2, 210-pound two-way lineman for the sophomore football team last fall.

Liam is a 5-10 senior libero, his fourth year at that position, but his first on the varsity.

Sean pulled off one of the surprises in preseason tryouts when he earned a spot on the varsity despite playing only one previous year of organized volleyball with Hinsdale South’s freshman team. Sean always concentrated on football, playing that sport as a middle school student at Our Lady of Peace Catholic School in Darien. OLP did not offer boys volleyball.

“I love both of them. Volleyball is different. I’ve played football a lot of my life. Volleyball is new,” said Sean, who has also competed in basketball and track. “I was a little surprised (making the team). They told me the only thing I was missing was experience. I only played one season. I never played club because of football.”

Sean and Liam have played on the floor at the time although Sean has primarily come off the bench.

“It has been a lot of fun having Liam on the team,” Sean said. “He’s got more volleyball experience than me. I especially look up to him as a captain.”

Even Liam did not expect Sean to make the varsity.

“I didn’t know. I had an idea, because he came out hard. No one knew until tryouts,” Liam said. “(Sean) has really improved from his freshman year.”

After the season ends, Liam said he may continue to play volleyball for the club team at Illinois.

On the court, it’s difficult to tell that the Millers are brothers. Both go about their business in trying to capture wins for the Hornets.

“All through high school, the greatest point I know is that the team is behind me even if I mess up,” Liam said. “They bring me up. There is good trust that I can have with the team.”

In addition to Sean Miller, Hinsdale South’s only other sophomore on the roster is outside hitter Robbie Mead.

The Hornets end the regular season with a pair of matches against the two toughest teams in the West Suburban Silver.

Hinsdale Central plays at Glenbard West at 6 p.m. Thursday, and hosts conference champion Downers North at 6 p.m. Friday in Darien.

Hinsdale South could meet Downers North for the second time in three matches. If the Hornets win their playoff opener, their next opponent is likely Downers North. The two teams have not met this season.

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