Sandburg boys volleyball’s first trip to state in nine years had a frustrating finish.
The Eagles, who entered their state quarterfinal against O’Fallon having won 12 straight and 18 of their last 19, lost 25-23, 25-23 on June 6 at Hoffman Estates.
Sandburg (36-5) was making its 11th state finals appearance, but lost in the quarterfinals for the third time and fell short of bringing home its ninth trophy. The Eagles were last at state in 2016, finishing third.
“We’re never satisfied with losing,” Sandburg first-year coach Madisen Babich said. “I don’t think our solid seven guys played to their potential. We knew we needed to win the serve and pass game, and we didn’t do that.”
The match featured 31 ties and eight lead changes. There were 16 ties in the second set, and neither team ever led by more than two. With the score tied at 23-23, junior opposite-side hitter Nathan McBride had a kill, and the Eagles hit an attack long to end it.
In the opener, O’Fallon scored three straight points for a 24-21 lead. That was the largest advantage by either team in the match. The Eagles saved two set points but then served long. That was one nine service errors for them in the match, to go along with six aces.
Seniors JT Snyder (seven kills, four aces) and Aaron Dennie (five kills, four digs) on the outside, Jeremiah Aro (six kills, seven digs) on the right side, and Will Ashum (four kills, four blocks) in the middle, along with junior setter Easton Donausky (19 assists) were big for the Eagles, who also had 12 attack errors.
“We tried to be aggressive on the court and make as many aces as we can,” Snyder said. “My favorite memories are being with the team.”
Ashum agreed.
“We were still 36-5 and that’s a pretty good season for us,” he said. “Especially being a senior. Everyone bought in.”
Snyder was an honorable-mention selection, Ashum made the second team, and Aro was named to the All-State First Team by the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association.
“I’m really proud of the way everyone bought in and played together,” Aro said. “I loved my teammates.”
To win a sectional championship was great, but Babich believes it’s the new expectation.
“We had a good new culture change with me and my new assistant coaches,” she said. “We stated that we expect to get a regional and sectional title every year.”