Following an upset win over three seed West Aurora in the regional semi-finals, Metea Valley gets Downers Grove South in the regional final after entering as just a 14-seed. D-G-S comes off a win over Naperville Central.
First Set
It’s a Mustang vs Mustang battle… as Downers Grove South leads 3-1 early… DGS sets up a play for Senior outside hitter Brandon Parks… and he delivers a point.
Now 7-2 DGS… Metea getting a chance to cue up Ryan Owens… but the junior gets blocked by Nathaniel Cossyleon and DGS takes an 8-2 edge.
That causes Mustang’s head coach John Aister to take a time out and try to reset.
17-12 in favor of DGS and the middle strike from Bradley Gall is rejected by Alec Gaertner… Metea still in it, trailing 17-13.
Metea though, now trailing 24-15. The DGS kill attempt on the outside comes from Brandon Parks… and it deflects of Metea’s Brandon Long… Downers Grove South takes the first 25-15.
Second Set
To the second set… and we haven’t called Connor Murphy’s name yet… until now. The lefty senior smokes home a point and cuts the deficit to just 2… 13-11 DGS.
And Metea continuing to feel it… down just one, Ryan Owens standing tall in the middle for the Mustangs… blocks the DGS attack chance… and this thing is all tied up at 17.
But DGS storming back on the strength of a Brandon Parks kill… 22-19 South.
Match point with DGS up 24-21… Murphy trying to seek the sideline… but sends it long. And Downers Grove South wins in straight sets.
For additional high school highlights, check out our Naperville Sports Weekly page.
