LOCKPORT – When you have a player like Evan Judkowiec on the volleyball court, it’s like having a different coach.
“Evan is very intelligent,” Lockport coach Nick Mraz said of his senior setter. “He puts a lot of weight on his shoulders and puts everything on himself. He's calling on everyone and pushing his team forward.”
Yes, Judkowiec was calm under pressure and kept the Porters the same. In the end, that was the key, as they survived five match points and defeated superior Bolingbrook 26-24, 21-25, 31-29 in a Southwest Suburban Conference matchup in Lockport on Tuesday night. They defeated the team and advanced to the top.
The Porters have won 16 straight games (20-1, 2-0). But it wasn't easy, as Bolingbrook (21-5, 1-1) gave them more than they could handle.
“It was a great game and we knew it was going to be a big game,” Judkowiec said. “But we know it's in us. The third set was like a marathon and there were moments where we couldn't get the ball in. But we did it when we needed to. We strengthened it.”
Judkowiec, a fourth-year varsity player, had 37 assists and a career-high six blocks. Many of these blocks were at critical moments, as Lockport knew it was in a state of combat throughout.
“Molly does a great job there and we know every year that they are a very defensive team,” Mraz said of Raiders coach Molly DeSurf. “They're all over the place. But [a difference] That was our experience factor. I'd like to think we were calm. ”
With all but one player from last season's squad returning, the Porters have an element of experience that showed late. There were 18 ties in the third set, including 12 through 13-13. But Lockport appeared to be in control with a 7-2 burst to take a 20-15 lead.
It was still 22-17 until Bolingbrook scored four straight points to turn the game around. But two errors by the Raiders gave Lockport a 24-21 lead. The serve then went to the net, and the Raiders got back on serve, punctuated by a 4-0 run with a block and a kill from senior middle blocker Tristan Benbow, who had a team-leading 15 kills, to move one point away from the win.
It was the first of five match points, but each time the Porters fought back. Senior middle blocker Oscar Skulski (4 kills) tied the game at 25-25, a serve hit the net to tie the game at 26-26, and senior middle blocker Eric Gonzalez had a kill (5 kills, 3 blocks) to tie the game at 27-27. It became. .
“We knew it was going to be tough,” Gonares said. “We had to get blocks, get touches, do whatever we could. Bolingbrook is a good team, very solid. You could see it again in cross section. [which Bolingbrook hosts]. But we know how to remain calm under pressure and trust each other. ”
After the serve hit the net, senior opposite-side hitter Josh Bloom got a kill, leading Lockport with a match-high 16 kills and adding three blocks and 10 digs to tie the game at 28-28. A kill by senior middle blocker Charlie Bialek (11 kills) gave the Raiders a chance for the final match point. But Bloom made a block, Bolingbrook hit a return to the net and senior outside hitter Nate Nacino (10 kills, 11 digs, two blocks) got the winning score.
A win would have given the Raiders a school record for most wins in a season. There was no doubt they would win, but they almost had it in the first set with a 21-17 lead. But Lockport fought back with a 7-2 spurt capped by back-to-back kills by Nacino to take a 24-23 lead. Benbow scored the equalizer, but a mishit and a block by Jadowiec ended the lead.
“That block felt good,” Judkowiec said. “We were able to take the lead at the net.”
Bolingbrook took a 10-3, 12-4 lead in the second set. The Porters tied the game at 14-14, but Bialek had a kill and block to give the Raiders a permanent lead at 16-14. Leading 19-18, Benbow scored three straight points with two kills and a block as Bolingbrook pulled away.
“We were right there,” DeSerf said. “We compete at that level and we know we can compete. We fought hard and I'm proud of them. They pushed themselves and sold out and nobody had the same idea.
“We want it [the school record for wins] And we want to make it happen and make it worthwhile sooner rather than later. ”
Senior outside hitter Tristan Kaminar had 11 kills, 10 digs and two blocks for Bolingbrook. Senior setter Connor Dmochowski had 45 assists with two blocks and seven digs. For the Raiders, senior libero Tyler Vasquez added 19 goals and junior defensive specialist Nahya Scott added nine goals.
This was the last conference meeting for both teams, as the Raiders will move to the Southwest Prairie Conference next season.
Senior libero Kevin Rodriguez had 19 goals and two assists for Lockport, which only won one SWSC title in 2021 when they were co-conference champions with Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way West. The Porters are ranked No. 3 in the state in 2021. Latest Illinois Prep Volleyball Poll. They will play in the Lincoln-Way East Tournament this weekend and could face either No. 2 ranked Marist or No. 1 ranked Glenbard West.
“There's a lot of great competition ahead,” Judkowiec said. “We're really excited.”