The sounds coming out of the Homewood-Flossmoor boys volleyball team weren’t the ones usually heard after a loss. The Vikings were celebrating effort.

H-F was shorthanded, missing a couple key contributors in middle blocker Josh Myers and setter Donald Klemick. It was playing a talented Lincoln-Way East team. Despite a rough start, the Vikings made the Griffins work in a 25-9, 25-23 loss.  

“We just came out with the mind to play hard and fight,” coach Mark Ciesielski said. “After that first game, we could’ve put our heads down and given up but we put our heads down and got some things together. I think we’re going out on a little higher note than we could’ve been.” 

Myers and Klemick were out for school disciplinary reasons. Ciesielski said they’re expected to return to the team eventually. 

Their absence showed in the first set. LWE’s Carter Geiger, a George Mason commit, served for a 12-0 run during which he had seven aces. The Griffins cruised after that.

“I think when we lose, instead of putting our heads down we just try to pick it up,” senior Brian Rogers said. “I think, full strength, we could’ve beaten them, actually.” 

The second set was different. 

LWE led 10-5 but the Vikings chipped away, eventually taking a 19-18 lead. It went back and forth from there before the Griffins picked up the last two points to secure the win. 

“I think defensively we played pretty well. We got some balls up that we haven’t in the past,” Ciecielski said. “That’s been our focus, to play defense like that. Today we were just in better positions and the guys were a little more aggressive defensively and that really helped.”

The night did provide a chance for Ciesielski to get some players who don’t see a lot of playing time onto the court. Diego Ramirez had a chance to play libero. Junior Varsity setter Taylen Hunter played well in the second set.

Anthony DeNeal stepped into a new position at setter, too. 

“We fought hard and we had some people step up. That’s the main thing,” senior Alex Wettstein said. “Our setter who doesn’t normally set (played well). We had some guys step up from JV. I think that was pretty nice to just show that we have people that can step up when we need them.” 

Surendran Heyward led H-F with six kills. Wettstein had seven digs.