By Bobby Narang
The Glenbard West High School boys volleyball team was on a mission this Spring.
After watching the Hilltoppers’ boys basketball team win the program’s first State championship in March, the volleyball team wanted to join the party.
The Hilltoppers ended a five-year volleyball State championship drought Saturday by winning all three of their State tournament matches against St. Ignatius, Libertyville, and Lincoln-Way East, in two sets to capture the program’s fourth State championship at Hoffman Estates High School.
The Hilltoppers, who won three straight championships, 2015-2017, had finished in third place in 2018, second place in 2019, did not have a Spring season in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and took third place last season, completed the fourth-best season in their history by winning 39 of their 42 matches.
In Glenbard West’s run of three straight championships, the Hilltoppers lost a combined three matches in three years.
Gavin Swartz tallied a team-best seven kills in the championship game victory over Lincoln-Way East, and Danny Dorsey contributed five kills and three blocks. Trevor Powell chipped in with 18 assists.
“No one had a bad match,” Swartz said. “We were all playing well, firing on all cylinders. That was fun. We all had fun out there.”
Fun was the theme in the Hilltoppers’ run to the State championship. They only played four matches that lasted three sets, to avenge a three-set loss to Lincoln-Way East in their second match of the season March 24. They lost to Glenbrook North and Marist in the regular season.
Swartz said the Hilltoppers didn’t let the pressure bother them throughout the season.
“I don’t feel like it’s much pressure, but I feel like it’s we’re all excited for the opportunity to show up at State and play for our school,” Swartz said.
“We’re happy to be here.”