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Boys Volleyball: KJ Glab, St. Francis growing up in a hurry

Spartans push Naperville Central to the limit

Kevin Schuele had never been a setter until a month ago. And KJ Glab is still only 14 years old. Yet you wouldn’t have guessed any of that if you had seen the trio nearly lead St. Francis to a stunning upset of visiting Naperville Central on Wednesday. Despite starting three freshmen and two sophomores, the Spartans took the Redhawks to the wire before Naperville Central pulled out a 25-19, 23-25, 25-22 victory at the Spyglass Center.

By MATT LE

Kevin Schuele had never been a setter until a month ago. And KJ Glab is still only 14 years old. Yet you wouldn’t have guessed any of that if you had seen the trio nearly lead St. Francis to a stunning upset of visiting Naperville Central on Wednesday. Despite starting three freshmen and two sophomores, the Spartans took the Redhawks to the wire before Naperville Central pulled out a 25-19, 23-25, 25-22 victory at the Spyglass Center.

“I feel like we were very positive throughout the whole game,” Glab said. “We didn’t really get down on each other that much. “Especially our setter, he did a very nice job of keeping us all into it and positive.” Schuele, a freshman setter, spread out 20 assists among six different hitters, while fellow rookie Glab had 12 kills and two aces.

Walker, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, contributed five kills, four blocks and seven service points and junior Marcus Ingold added six kills for the Spartans (6-11), who seized the lead in each of the first two sets. Naperville Central (12-5) needed 16 kills from 6-5 senior John Davis and 29 assists from fellow Benedictine recruit Timothy Folliard to avoid the upset. It was heady stuff for a St. Francis team that was not expected to do much after graduating 10 seniors. “These guys, they come to practice every single day and work as hard as they can,” St. Francis coach Mike Lynch said. “They’re buying into everything we ask of them because we told them we have a tradition here at St. Francis.

“Last year we graduated 10 seniors and everyone was like, man, St. Francis is going to have a rough three years. But no, we’re going to be loaded.” This is by far the greenest varsity team Lynch has ever coached at St. Francis, but he can see the young talent turning to gold in the future and perhaps sooner than later. “We knew with our young team this year, a lot of people were saying, oh, you’ve got to lighten up on the schedule with these kids,” Lynch said. “KJ is only 14y ears old and Bryce just turned 16. “We look at Bryce as being this fifth-year senior and last year was the first time he had ever played volleyball. But he’s our leader.”

Walker, who also plays basketball, got some varsity experience last year and is embracing the “old man” role. “At times there is a little pressure but I like it,” Walker said. “I like to be in that role. “I think I’m good at it. Coming from last year, having that experience, I want to share that with the rest of the guys.” While their record may not indicate it, the Spartans are coming together quickly. They finished second to Lockport at the Lockport tournament, took Loyola and Providence to three sets and lost to Brother Rice, a ranked team, in two sets on Tuesday, though the first set was 25-22.

“From where we started at the beginning of the season until now, I think we’ve done a lot better all around the court,” Glab said. “I feel like our attacking is very good and [Schuele], being a first-year setter, has done a very good job. “There’s a little bit of pressure but it’s a lot of fun because, being a freshman, I’m going to have four years, most likely, and with a great coach.”

Naperville Central coach Roger Strausberger was impressed by the Spartans. “They played with good confidence,” Strausberger said. “That’s good for them at this age to play with some confidence and no fear. “That’s the key. You’ve got to play hard.”