Boys Volleyball: Jahari Winkfield, Wolves wrap up record season

OSWEGO – Jahari Winkfield can look at how far he’s come, and smile.

It’s been quite a four years.

“Freshman year, I wasn’t even hitting the ball,” Oswego East’s senior middle said. “I maybe tipped it. Coach put me on varsity, it pushed me to get better.”

It’s a different Winkfield now, and a different Wolves’ program. Oswego East this season shattered the program win record, and on May 23 aimed for its first-ever regional title.

It didn’t happen, as Plainfield East used a big third-set run to win the Oswego Regional final 25-19, 21-25, 25-17. But Wolves’ coach Brian Zerfas had much good to reflect on.

“Very good season,” Zerfas said. “I’m really proud of the guys, couldn’t ask for a better group, couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors. This is a senior group that’s won every year. They’ve really elevated the bar. It’s been a joy to be a part of.”

Indeed, the Oswego East program won just six matches as recently as five years ago.

Seniors like Cade and Collin Harrison, and Winkfield, changed the way the program is viewed. Winkfield, who will play collegiately at Daemen College, is a two-time all-conference selection who’s in the conversation for Southwest Prairie MVP this year. It’s come from hard work, starting at home.

“His work ethic is tremendous,” Zerfas said. “Chalk it up to his mother; she keeps him in line. It’s a wonderful family, a great support network.”

Winkfield went out with quite an effort. The 6-foot-4 middle, who hit .600 in conference matches, put down 11 kills Wednesday at a .758 percentage. Cade Harrison had nine kills, and Sam Behnke 35 assists – one off his own single-match record. Ben Jorgensen added 11 digs.

A monster Winkfield kill midway through the second set gave the Wolves a big spark.

“What more could you ask from the guy tonight?” Zerfas said.

Winkfield gave credit where credit was due.

“I was feeling pretty good – I have to attribute it to my setter Sam,” Winkfield said. “He was really on point, making good decisions.”

The two teams split two matches during the regular season, Oswego East winning the second on its Senior Night.

A Winkfield kill had the Wolves within 11-9 in the third set Wednesday, but things broke down from there.

Plainfield East (29-3), which won its second regional title, went on an 8-1 run to take command. Oswego East’s passing went south, with a predictable result.

“We just didn’t pass well enough that third set,” Zerfas said. “That match was all first contact. Serve and pass. We did somewhat well in the first set, really well in the second set and not enough in the third. We became way too predictable because of it.”

“I felt like we were neck and neck most of the match, exchanging a lot of points,” Winfield said. “At the end they just one or two good runs that pushed them over the edge.”