Boys Volleyball: WW South tops Lincoln-Way East to win Tiger Classic

Updated: March 31, 2012 10:26PM

Just how much better can Wheaton Warrenville South get?

Tournament MVP Thomas Jaeschke and Tim Zyburt each had eight kills, Nick Smith added seven kills and Kit Bruzek had 22 assists as the No. 1-ranked Tigers defeated No. 6 Lincoln-Way East 25-19, 25-18 to win the Tiger Classic Saturday in Wheaton.

While WW South coach Bill Schreier was pleased with his team’s second tournament title in as many weeks, it was what his players said afterward that brought the biggest smile to his face.

“We have one goal to accomplish, and right now it’s all about getting better each day in practice,” said Zyburt, a 6-6 senior outside hitter. “Everybody is pushing each other to do their best so we can accomplish that goal. It’s an all-around team effort all the time.”

Smith, a 5-11 senior outside, echoed Zyburt’s sentiments.

“We always have to get better,” he said. “If you’re not getting better, then you’re standing still and other teams are getting better. So you have to keep working so you can reach your ultimate goal.”

At WW South, that ultimate goal is one that has eluded the six-time state champions each of the last two years. This group of Tigers is hungry to return to the top of the boys volleyball food chain.

“You have to take it one day at a time and these guys really embrace that,” Schreier said. “We’ve been very fortunate. We had a good run last weekend and a good run this weekend. We’re way ahead of schedule, which is nice to see.

“Still, there’s always room for improvement. Lack of communication, not getting your hands up on balls, sitting on our heels. For them to say the goal is to get better, that’s 99 percent of your battle — to try to convince them they need to continue to work hard.”

The Tigers (11-0) beat one of the hardest-working teams in the state in Lincoln-Way East (10-2), which reached the finals by handing No. 10 Waubonsie Valley (11-2) its only loss of the tournament, 25-21, 25-14, and taking out Sandburg (6-4), 21-25, 25-19, 25-20.

“Our guys fought,” Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore said. “They were digging, diving all over the place to the last point. This was a learning experience for them. They’ve been working hard every day. Hopefully, we’ll see them (WW South) again at the end of the year. That’s our guys’ goal.

“We’ll come into practice on Monday with that in mind.’’

Nate Royer paced the Griffins with 11 kills and sophomore Austin Royer added 18 assists. Kevin McClafferty added four kills and Steve Kolodziej had three.

“We kept fighting back,” Fiore said. “But we gave up one spurt, usually within the first 10 points. They’re a great team and that’s going to happen. But if you’re going to beat them, you can’t give up spurts of three and four because it’s so hard to get your spurt of three to four back on them with the offense that they have.”

Glenbrook North (8-2) bounced back from its 28-26, 25-18 semifinal loss to WW South to defeat Sandburg 25-21, 18-25, 25-16 to claim third place, and Waubonsie Valley defeated Buffalo Grove 25-20, 25-22 for fifth place.

Naperville North (6-4), which lost to Lake Park in pool play Thursday, won the Silver division by defeating New Trier 25-18, 25-19, and Minooka (8-2) won the Bronze with a 25-27, 25-22, 25-21 victory over Oak Park.

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