Written by Randy Whalen
correspondent
Coming off the worst season in program history in 2023, Sandberg wasn't willing to settle for anything less than better this year.
However, after the halfway point of this season, the Eagles had an 11-8 record. However, they finished the regular season strong, winning 11 of their last 15 games, including the final six, and finished 22-12 overall and 5-3 in the Southwest Suburban Conference.
One of those wins was a 25-22, 25-23 win at Lockport on May 16, a win that stopped the Porters from finishing with an undefeated conference record.
It showed how much Sandberg is capable of heading into the postseason.
“We want to click at the right time,” Sandburg coach David Valles said. “We were young last year and had some growing pains. We still had them at the beginning of the season, but it's all starting to pay off.”
Last season, Sandberg went 18-18, ending a streak of 26 full seasons with 20 or more wins dating back to his first year in 1995. But against the formidable Porters (30-5, 7-1), who had already won the championship, won the SWSC title and ranked No. 5 in the state in Illinois Prep volleyball. The Eagles did their best.
“We needed to take something back from this season,” Valles said of the big win. “I needed something to hang my hat on.”
Jeremiah Aro ensured that with a match-high 12 kills and two blocks. A right-handed hitter, his junior, hit the winning hit and erased the upset.
“I felt like he was going to me,” Aero said of Easton Donowski's game-winning assist. “Yes, I wanted that moment.”
Donowski, a sophomore setter, had 23 assists against the Porters and was happy to contribute in the moment.
“It felt good,” Donowski said. “I had confidence in his abilities.”
Seniors Miles Aquino (8 digs), Wale Opakunle (5 blocks, 1 kill), Zach Supanich (5 kills, 1 block) and junior JT Snyder (3 kills, 3 blocks) also contributed to the win.
Aro is confident the Eagles can beat Lockport and believes they can keep this momentum going.
“I mean, we knew they were good, but I think we were better,” he said. “We knew it wasn't out of reach. We knew we had a common goal, so we just had to play our game.”
“Nothing is promised. But all I know is that we will do our best and I think we are a great group.”
The Eagles are the No. 4 seed in their division and opened the postseason with a 25-9, 25-13 win over Acero/Soto on May 20th. The win was Valles' 400th win as boys' volleyball coach.
Valles coached the Sandburg boys for two years (2003-2010 and 2017-2024). He has a record of 468 wins and 161 losses in 17 seasons (2007-2023) as the Eagles' women's volleyball coach.
Sandburg, seeking its 26th regional championship, is scheduled to face either Revis or Hubbard in the Sandburg regional semifinals on May 23 at 6 p.m.
“A lot of team bonding helped our chemistry,” Donowski said. “At the beginning of the season we had different groups within the team, but now we have come together as one big unit.
“It was really exciting to beat a really good team in Lockport. Everyone is fired up right now thinking about the possibility of winning the region and the division.”
