Notre Dame and Niles North opened up pool play Friday night in the 24-team Marist Boys Volleyball Invitational. Both teams played two matches at Oak Lawn, with Notre Dame splitting its two decisions, while Niles North was 0-2.
Notre Dame was edged by St. Rita 26-24, 26-24 in the first match and then beat St. Charles East, 25-22, 25-17. Junior outside hitter Steven Lendy led the Dons in the two matches, registering 6 aces and 26 overall points scored on his top-spin jump serve.
“He has a very aggressive top spin serve that’s unpredictable,” Notre Dame coach Pat Cole said. “I don’t even think he knows where it’s going to go.”
“I was able to slide the ball to the outside and keep them off guard,” Lendy said.
Lendy had 11 kills to lead the Dons in the two matches, while junior outside hitter Nathan Krogstad contributed 6 kills in the victory over St. Charles East.
After losing its opening round match to Benet, 25-21, 25-13, Niles North lost a heartbreaker in the night-cap, 25-19, 23-25, 10-15 to host Oak Lawn. The Vikings were tied 23-23 in set two, when they made a service error.
“We missed 13 serves in our two matches. We were just horrendous serving,” Niles North coach Carol Herlocker said. “Our serve receive was very good.”
Junior outside hitter Charlie Long and senior outside hitter Eman Kando led the Vikings against Oak Lawn with 5 and 4 kills.
Notre Dame and Niles North will return to the courts on Saturday morning to continue play in the Invitational.
