By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
The Burlington boys volleyball team posted its best-ever finish Saturday at the Racine Invite, tying for third after losing in the semifinals.
Battling through what coach Tim Gesteland called a “very tough” pool, the Demons emerged 5-1, then won their crossover match and quarterfinal match before falling to eventual champion Appleton North in the semifinals.
“The semifinals is a good place to be,” said Gesteland. “We didn’t play our best ball (against North).
“There were some moments where we reverted back to some really bizarre things.”
The Demons opened the day by beating Wauwatosa West 21-12, 21-10, then split with Waukesha West 17-21, 21-15. BHS then bounced back to down Germantown 21-16, 21-16.
In the crossover match, BHS swept Hartland Arrowhead 21-13, 21-18, sparked by the serving of Nick Bartlett. In the quarterfinals, BHS won 21-13, 21-15 over Kimberly.
The BHS run finally stopped in the semifinals, where Appleton North won 21-18, 21-19. North went on to down defending champion Milwaukee Marquette in three sets for the title.
“We knew Appleton North was the team to beat,” said Gesteland. “There’s not many holes on their team.
“I wish we had like three plays back.”
The Demons had solid play up and down its lineup, with senior Zach Gesteland posting 93 assists, but also three block kills, 11 digs and 11 kills.
“(He) ran the offense very well and other coaches commented on how hard it is to read his sets,” said coach Gesteland.
On the receiving end of those sets were no less than four players in double figures. While Nolan Rueter posted a team-best 57 kills, Ben Geiger added 24, Carson Biedrzycki 20 and Nick Bartlett 19.
“Nolan Rueter carried us over Kimberly by blasting shots past their defenders,” coach Gesteland said. “Carson Biedrzycki and Ben Geiger both had solid numbers and had some valuable offense and defense.”
Gesteland also praised senior libero Garrett Schilling, who finished with a team-high 58 digs.
“(He was) everywhere on the court,” coach Gesteland said.
The Demons opened Southeast Conference play Sept. 6 with a 25-10, 25-22, 25-14 win over Kenosha Bradford. The Demons played almost everyone in the lineup and won with relatively ease, except in the second game.
Rueter led the way with 10 kills, while Biedrzycki and Bartlett added eight each. Biedrzycki also had 12 block kills.
-
-
-
-
-