Phil Brozynski’s boys volleyball notes

THREE THINGS WE KNOW

No. 1: The Chicago volleyball community is rallying behind Loyola University this week as the Ramblers seek their first NCAA title. Among Loyola’s biggest fans is Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore, who planned to attend Thursday’s semifinals at the Gentile Center. “I just want somebody from Chicago to win it and put those West Coast teams in their place,” he said. “We played against (former WW South and current Loyola star Thomas) Jaeschke two years ago. Loyola’s got a few Illinois kids, which is great to see.”

No. 2: When Marko Kostich had to leave after Lyons’ first match Saturday at the Downers South Invite to attend an orientation at Harvard, Jake Bobrowski stepped in and helped lead the Lions to the Silver Division title. “My comment to the team was that when you’re missing anybody, you have to play better,” Lyons coach Joann Pyritz said. “You have to give more than what is expected of you. That’s what we did.”

No. 3: Loyola, minus 6-6 middle hitter Jakub Mazurek, went 3-2 at Downers South, losing to eventual champion Downers South and New Trier after defeating Barrington in the quarterfinals. “Yeah, we got a little tired, but the biggest part was that our passing fell apart at the end,” coach Lionel Ebeling said. “We needed more contributions from everyone, and that starts with being able to pass the ball.”