Serving up W’s.

The boys volleyball team expects to build a rhythm going into the bulk of their conference schedule by facing off with familiar foes at the Downers Grove South invite today and tomorrow.

“The DGS tournament has always been a positive experience for us,” junior outside hitter Emmanuel Smith said. “It comes at a perfect time for us to gain some much needed momentum in the middle of the season and get ourselves rolling toward the playoffs.”

“We definitely have the talent to get a high seed going into the tournament, which will set us up for a great shot at taking home first place. That is definitely achievable if everyone does their job and stays focused,” senior Shan Waterloo said.

At this tournament the Kits will face teams that they have had plenty of experience against, including Loyola, Barrington and Maine South, alongside host Downers Grove South, who have won this tournament twice in the last four years.

“A lot of teams from different sectionals that we could possibly face in the playoffs come to this tournament, like Barrington and Wheaton Warrenville South, who frequently put together strong teams,” senior Shan Waterloo said. “Seeing how they play in this tournament will give us a good idea of what we could see in ur prospective run at the state title later this season.”

The invite falls right in the middle of the team’s conference schedule, and occurs right after back to back games against Maine South and New Trier. After the tournament, they will face off against New Trier the second time this season on May 9.

“New Trier has been our toughest competition in the past few years,” Smith said. “We faced them in sectionals last year and came up short, so we want redemption, and we know their team very well.”

After an 18-8 overall record and an IHSA regional championship last year, the Kits hope to make an even deeper playoff run and believe that they have the tools to do so.

“Our team chemistry is what makes us even better,” Smith said. “The Waterloo twins and the rest of the seniors really do a great job pulling the team together and it really helps our team push forward and win games.”

Seniors like Shan and Wally Waterloo, Jordan Wallace, and Bernard Mason who have had plenty of varsity experience look to lead a team full of youth to a deep playoff run come May.

“I really want to step in and try to be one of the leaders on this team throughout the year,” Shan Waterloo said. “I’m excited about the fresh faces on the team this year and am beyond excited to prove people wrong and do some damage in the CSL.”