Stay Connected with YourSeason
Naperville North displays depth in win
Updated: May 4, 2011 12:12PM
Tuesday’s match against West Aurora confirmed something Naperville North coach Nate Bornancin knew all along, that he can count on every member of his team on any given night.
Without primary hitter Shane Witmer and all-area libero Danny Boryca in the lineup, Bornancin relied on his formidable group of supporting players to carry the Huskies to a 25-17, 25-20 win over the Blackhawks in a DuPage Valley Conference contest.
“There’s pressure on you when you have to take over as the main hitter,” said Henry Cheatham, who led the Huskies with 10 kills. “That pushes people to do the very best. The adrenalin going through me helped me play well.”
Outside hitter Cheatham stepped up with seven of his kills in the first game, which was close in the early stages with 10 ties and 5 lead changes.
The last tie was at 12-12, and the Blackhawks (13-11, 3-6) were within one point at 14-13 when the Huskies (18-7, 7-2) turned up the heat and pulled away on a 9-1 run.
The game ended on an Adam Souhrada kill.
The Huskies were firmly in control of Game 2 leading by as many as seven points, but late in the game the Blackhawks made it closer. They hung around until the end, though they never mounted a serious threat to the Huskies.
“We didn’t have the intensity we needed to challenge them,” said West Aurora coach Tolis Koskinaris. “Our serve-receive picked up a little in the second game.”
Naperville North coach Nate Bornancin praised his team’s effort, especially Cheatham, Matt Peterson — who filled in for Boryca at libero — and setter Steve Massoni, who had 23 assists.
“Cheatham and Peterson know that I have faith in them and they did a great job tonight,” Bornancin said. “We had a steady match. It was some of the best defense we played all year. Our serving wasn’t tough enough in the first game but then we made adjustments. Massoni, is a three-year starter and a natural leader.”
“Our chemistry was really good,” Cheatham said. “We were really connecting out there.”
Junior hitter Spencer Sauter returned from an injury after several weeks on the sideline, but only saw limited action.
“It was nice to get him in because we’re going to need him down the stretch,” Bornancin said. “He still has to get acclimated to the speed of the game.”
Peterson had 10 digs and John Gorey had nine. Souhrada chipped in five kills and Matt Jennings added four.
Binali Khurshidov led West Aurora with 10 kills and four blocks.
© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.
Cell Phone Alerts
Comments Click here to view or make a comment