Naperville North captures sectional crown

Updated: May 31, 2011 9:58PM

Naperville North’s Shane Witmer was 1-11 during his varsity volleyball career against Wheaton Warrenville South entering Tuesday’s Illinois Math and Science Academy Sectional championship match.

Make that 2-11.

Witmer had 10 kills, three blocks, seven digs and three aces — including one on match point — as Naperville North snapped WW South’s 30-match win streak and advanced to the state finals Friday in Hoffman Estates with a stunning 25-21, 23-25, 25-23 victory.

The victory also prevented Witmer and his fellow seniors from the same fate as their coach, former Naperville North player Nate Bornancin, who lost to WW South four times during his senior year.

“We know we lost to them three times this year,” Witmer said. “I was 1-7 against them the last two years. We talked about ending their state dominance. We played a real good first game. We played point-for-point.

“I think that was probably the best match we’ve played all season,” he added. “I believe WW South is the best team in the state.”

Naperville North (28-11) did not look like a team that lost 11 times during the regular season.

“I think we’re not letting stupid things get us down.” Witmer said. “If we get blocks out of bounds, were staying together and that’s important.”

Naperville North stuck together after getting down 21-16 in Game 2, rallying to tie the game at 22. But a hitting error and a back-row kill by WW South’s Eric Luhrsen allowed the Tigers to force a third game.

The Huskies used an 8-2 run to build a 15-10 advantage in Game 3, but the Tigers (36-3) went on a 7-1 run of their own to grab a brief 17-16 lead. WW South was called for an under-the-net violation at 17-18 and trailed 23-20, but kills by Thomas Jaeschke and Michael Stefanski got the Tigers even at 23-all.

“You have to live with that call,” WW South coach Bill Schreier said. “You still have to respond and make plays. We battled back and fell a little short. Naperville North had a little something to do with that. I think they played very well tonight.”

At 23-23, a service error, one of 12 miscues committed by the Tigers in Game 3, and Witmer’s ensuing ace spelled the end for the state’s top-ranked team.

“I thought we were pressing a little bit, and instead of just making the solid play they were trying to make the spectacular play,” Schreier said. “That’s something you’re always going to fight as far as high school athletics is concerned.”

Luhrsen had 15 kills, Jaeschke had 11 kills and two aces and Dave Priest added 32 assists for WW South. Henry Cheatham had seven kills and Steve Massoni added 24 assists for Naperville North.

After knocking off three teams seeded ahead of them in arguably the state’s toughest sectional, can Naperville North keep it going and win it all?

“I hope so,” Witmer said. “I think we can. I think we’re well on our way to making a real big statement. I’m really excited about it.”

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