BOYS VOLLEYBALL — Eric Kerr made his teammates look good this spring.
Short of outfitting them with designer clothes, the New Trier senior setter’s precision passes enabled several Trevians to enjoy the thrill of the kill. Andrew Gates and Alex Cook both finished with more than 200 kills, and Jesse Solomon and Bennett Wakenight each totaled more than 170.
Of course, others helped Kerr along the way, including libero Joe Coyne. But Kerr was the motor that powered the Trevians to the state tournament for the first time since 2007. New Trier lost to Sandburg in three sets in the quarterfinals to finish 32-7. It was the third time the Eagles beat the Trevians this season. Sandburg won its next two matches in straight sets on the way to another state title.
“We don’t have any huge superstars, but we play so well together,” said Kerr, whose competitive volleyball career ended Friday. He will study at Iowa. “My teammates make my job a lot easier. When we played as a team, it’s hard to stop us.”
In a two-setter offense, Kerr finished the season with 663 assists, including 22 against Sandburg. For added measure, he ended up with 121 digs, 73 kills and 41 blocks.
While New Trier couldn’t overcome four-time state champion Sandburg, the Trevians earned an ounce of revenge when they beat Glenbrook North for the sectional championship. The Spartans beat New Trier in two sets during the regular season.
“When we lost to them, we were hoping to get another chance,” Kerr said. “We weren’t playing our ball, and we wanted another shot. We were itching to get back at them.”
Of its seven seniors, New Trier could miss Kerr the most. He was a three-year starter who perfected his craft. Solomon, the other setter in the 6-2 offense, also is a senior, leaving New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak with big holes to fill for the 2012 season.
“We had some ups and downs this year, but we showed a lot of perseverance to get where we did,” Kerr said.
