'Energetic' Bartlett continues solid start

Bartlett is off to a great start in the 2022 boys volleyball season.The Hawks finished third in the Rolling Meadows tournament Saturday with a 3-2 record. Currently, Bartlett is 10-2 overall and 1-0 in Upstate Eight Conference play.Bartlett lost to Fremd and Rolling Meadows, the two teams who played for the title.The Hawks defeated Elk Grove, Addison Trail and St Viator.Coach Robert Schwantz got outstanding performances at Rolling Meadows from Spencer Medendorp (31 kills, 20 digs, 3 aces), Jack Morrissey (25 digs, 27 digs), Aaron Amawan (43 digs, 6 aces), Anthony Mapes (23 kills, 21 digs, 4 aces) and Adarsh Patel (80 assists).Schwantz was surprised with the effort from Lucas Messere who had 10 kills, 6 digs. 2 blocks and 0 errors during the tourney.The Hawks enjoyed a big win against Benet in Lisle on April 6. Bartlett knocked off the Redwings 16-25, 25-13, 25-16.”We had lots of energy in their gym,” said Schawntz. “It was a big moral booster after we played so poorly in game one.”Bartlett has a busy week ahead against Streamwood and Geneva before playing at the West Chicago Quad on Saturday.Geneva update:Vikings standout Daniel Youman is finding out there aren’t many scholarships available for boys volleyball players.There are 23 Division I and 25 Division II volleyball programs. Youman will play club volleyball at Marquette.Youman’s task at hand to lead his team to a regional title, which is hosted by the Vikings.Geneva lost to Buffalo Grove in the regionals a year ago.”Seeing our seniors last year after the loss in the regional was hard to see,” said Youman. “I am motivated to win the regional and not have that feeling.”St. Charles update:Six conferences were represented at Saturday’s St Charles East Invitational. Geneva and St. Charles East are members of the DuKane Conference while Elgin and West Chicago work in the Upstate Eight Conference. Plainfield South and Plainfield East are in the Southwest Prairie Conference. Waubonsie Valley (DuPage Valley), Oak Lawn (South Suburban) and champion Hersey (Mid Suburban) round out the tournament. The 10th team was the St. Charles East junior varsity team.Hersey was the champion followed by Plainfield East, Geneva, Waubonsie Valley, Oak Lawn, West Chicago, St. Charles East, Elgin, Plainfield South and St Charles Junior varsity.South Elgin update:The Storm picked up a big nonconference win at Glenbard North Monday defeating the Panthers 21-25, 25-14, 25-17. It was South Elgin’s fifth straight win and moved the Storm to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in Upstate Eight Conference action.The Storm was paced by Andrew Galanes who collected 7 kills, 3 blocks, 3 aces and 29 assists. It was Galanes’ second match of the season. The senior setter missed the early part of the season after having his wisdom teeth out during spring break.Last week, South Elgin beat Fenton 25-11, 25-21 in UEC play and knocked off Huntley 25-8, 25-22 in nonconference play. The Storm celebrated the return of Galanes in the Huntley match.”We had a strong showing against Glenbard North,” said coach Jesse Bossenga. “We are playing with a lot of confidence.”Streamwood update: The Sabres, 3-4, 0-1) have finished third in the their own Sabre Invite and the U-46 Invite.”We are really well-rounded,” said Streamwood coach Michelle Mueller. “We have multiple players contributing to the kills game. We continue to improve and work as a team.”