WV's Keeve making up for lost season

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:24AM

Sean Keeve of Waubonsie Valley is on a mission in his senior year, after missing most of last season suffering from bronchitis that turned into pneumonia.

The 6-foot-2 outside hitter came down with pneumonia before the season, but he missed about six weeks before he was able to get back on the court in a limited role.

When he did return he never got up to speed and was advised by doctors to skip club ball after the season.

"I struggled when I returned to the court last year," said Keeve. "I lost a few inches on my vertical and just got in as a utility player."

Then during the summer, Keeve started the long road back, working out at the gym with a few of his teammates.

When the fall semester came, Waubonsie coach Al Lagger and a couple of the team's setters went in at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings and worked out with Keeve, and he did weight training three times a week after school.

Keeve believes the time he missed has motivated him to work harder at both volleyball and his schoolwork, which he had to keep on top of last year, despite the illness.

"I'm not quite at 100 percent but I'll be there soon," said Keeve, who is second on the Warriors in kills. "I have more motivation this year to show the team and the coach that I'm capable of playing the L1 starting outside. I'm playing smarter this year. I've learned how to keep the ball in play rather than get the big hit every time."

"Sean has been our go-to guy," said Lagger. "He understands the game. He worked so hard on his own. It's great to see him back and contributing at the highest level."

Keeve believes the Warriors are a special team this year.

"We're on a mission as a team and we expect to win conference and go to state," said Keeve. "Everyone's working together and playing their roles. We have great chemistry."

The Warriors, whose record is 14-3, have one of the tallest and deepest teams in the state and Lagger has regularly used all 12 players in matches.

Metea's Krasuski making his mark

The Metea Valley volleyball team may be the new guys in town, but opponents have learned that they can't take the Mustangs for granted.

Metea is 12-9 in its inaugural varsity season, and last week the Mustangs won the IMSA Tournament.

One big reason for the team's early success is 6-foot-4 sophomore outside hitter Martin Krasuski, who's averaging about 10 kills per match. He had 45 kills in five matches at IMSA.

"Martin has the all-around tools to be a great volleyball player," said coach John Aister.

"He can jump, he has great vision and he knows where to go on the court. And he's so calm and collected throughout the match. He never gets too high or low. He's got the confidence to make every play. And the other guys feed off that."

Aister is also impressed with how smart Krasuski is on the court.

"He always knows the shot to play," Aister said. "He comes up with a lot of great shots in clutch moments."

And Krasuski has developed a big jump-serve that he's able to deliver with power and accuracy. He had six aces in the IMSA tournament.

Parisi makes right-side his own

Benet's Nathan Parisi knew at the start of pre-season practice that left-side outside hitter was the team's strongest position, so he eagerly moved to right-side hitter and he took over the position as if he'd been playing it for years.

"Nathan is exceptionally athletic and quick," said Benet coach Amy Van Eekeren. "He's extremely bright and coachable. He's got a very quick arm-swing that puts a lot of power in each hit. And he's also become a primary passer for us."

As a right-side Parisi also has the responsibility of going up against the opponent's best hitter, so he's become an adept blocker for the Redwings, who went into Tuesday's action with a 13-5 record.

There are also the intangibles that Parisi brings to the court that the coach loves.

"He's a very hard worker," Van Eekeren said. "He brings a lot of energy to the court. He keeps the team focused when we're up and when we're down. He's definitely the kind of player you want on the court."

Parisi, in addition to his athletic ability, is also a talented trumpet player who performs with the school band and the jazz ensemble.

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