Boys Volleyball: Richards runs past Lemont
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media March 21, 2013 8:54PM
Lemont's Ed Kostrubala (10) goes up for a kill against Richards' Nick Costa (2) and Angelo Anagnostopoulous (15) during their volleyball game in Oak Lawn Thursday, March 21, 2013. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 23, 2013 2:40PM
Richards looked every bit the reigning South Suburban champion Thursday night in its season opener.
The Bulldogs, led by a savage first set from Ed Karalius, put away visiting Lemont 25-15, 25-23 in a South Suburban crossover.
Karalius, in his debut at outside hitter, blasted eight kills in the first set on his way to finishing with a match-high 10 kills.
“This is my year to get good passes and get good swings and be known,” said Karalius, a 6-foot-3 strong-bodied junior. “Last year I was playing middle so I didn’t get set as much, but this year I switched to outside. I play club (volleyball) outside, so I’m getting better at it.”
Karalius showed precision and power. He put away three of Richards’ final five points in his impressive first set.
“(Karalius) is a gamer. He’s our ‘noise’ (playmaker) a lot of the time and he helps set the tone of our team,” Richards coach Troy Grevengoed said. “He’s a big boy, and he puts a lot behind his swing.”
Also contributing for the Bulldogs (1-0, 1-0) were reigning conference player of the year Nick Costa (7 kills), Eric Krasich (11 digs) and Dan Krasich (19 assists).
Lemont was led by All-Area player Mike Krueger, who looked in midseason form with eight kills, two aces and two solo blocks. Krueger also handled a nasty jump-serve from Costa.
Alex Wontorcyzk added three kills and libero Alex Strube chipped in five digs for the Indians (1-1, 1-1).
“We need to get used to the pace,” Lemont coach Zach Splitt said. “They are a very good team. They’re jumping higher, hitting harder and playing faster than we’re used to right now.”
Lemont played a competitive second set, but six service errors in the frame derailed any hopes of a rally.
