Written by Jeff Vova
correspondent
Marist was horribly good in the first set.
The Red Hawks won 25-12.
Even by Marist standards, this is pretty impressive. Complete superiority.
What was even more surprising was that it was against the second-ranked team in the country.
The RedHawks, who entered this game ranked No. 6 in the nation in the USA Today/National Volleyball Coaches Association poll, defeated Glenbard West, No. 2 in the nation, 25-12, 21-25, 25-23 on April 27. I broke it and won. Lincolnway East Invitational in Frankfort.
The win came a week after West defeated Marist 25-23, 25-21 in the Brother Rice Smack Attack. The loss was Glenbard West's first since May 16, 2023, when the Lions won in two sets.
The two giants will meet again on May 9th at Mount Greenwood.
Marist's Christian Teresi wins MVP award at Lincolnway East Invitational. Photo credit: Jeff Vorva
Marist (24-2) slowed down and frustrated the two-time state champion Hilltoppers in a lopsided first set. However, West (23-1) wasn't going to give up without a fight and spent the remaining games rebuilding and coming through strong against the RedHawks.
RedHawks coach Jordan Vidovic enjoyed watching his team defeat the perennial powerhouse Hilltoppers in the first set, but he was more pleased with his team's performance in the second and third sets.
“It was good because we had to do it our way,” Vidovich said. “I feel like [Glenbard West] Made some nice adjustments. They really stepped up their defense. Nothing came easy.
“It could have been a little bit of it getting to us. But we withstood it, persevered and did what we had to do. It's a lot of work for us to take off from this.” I think that shows that.”
Junior setter and hitter Christian Teresi was named tournament MVP with 43 kills, 83 assists, 10 blocks, 12 aces and 33 digs. Teresi, who plays for Ohio State University, struggled for a week after losing to West at Smack Attack.
“After playing against Brother Rice in the tournament, we knew what we were going to face,” Teresi said. “After we finished practice, we felt like we had a chance to play again. And the energy that we had throughout this tournament built into this one set.”
Luke Brannigan, who was named to the all-tournament team, had eight kills and 12 digs in the title match. Griffin McElroy had six kills and four blocks, and Nathen Toth added eight kills.
“We’ve been struggling offensively,” Brannigan said. “In our two losses (against Glenbard West, Calif. and Mira Costa), you noticed that our offense was slow. In the first set, [in the West rematch], really picked up the tempo and everyone was doing their own thing. ”
Marist's Luke Brannigan takes a hit during a game against Glenbard West on April 27 in Frankfort.Photo credit: Jeff Vova
