Lyons Township High School senior Shay Sweigard finally achieved his Class 2A all-state boys tennis goal, May 30, with the help of a freshman. Sweigard and Nolan Pavlik finished third in doubles with a 5-1 overall record in achieving their top-six medals as No. 5-8 seeds.
“I was pretty happy with it. We did almost beat the team that won so it was a little frustrating to know that we could have won it,” Sweigard said. “As a freshman who has not played in a lot of high-level matches, (Pavlik) played really well. I was surprised how he handled the pressure of state as a freshman. It was pretty impressive.”
Sweigard previously came one consolation victory from all-state in 2024, tying for seventh in doubles. He was top 16 in state singles last season and 2-2 as a freshman.
“I enjoy doubles way more than singles,” Sweigard said. “It’s just more fun having a partner.”
Sweigard and Pavlik (13-5) clicked immediately after debuting at Hersey’s prestigious Tom Pitchford Invitational May 1-2 and finishing fourth at No. 1 doubles.
“I’m just really happy to be able to play in the tournament with a great partner. Overall, it was a really fun experience,” Pavlik said. “We played really solid. Especially with those tough matches, I thought we played really well together.”
At state, the Lions took third by beating New Trier’s No. 5-8 seeded seniors Dane Bozic and James Scallan 6-3, 6-4 after losing in the semifinals to New Trier’s eventual championship team of No. 5-8 seeds sophomore Jayden Dussias and junior Brennan Plunkett 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4.
“We were up a break in both sets and just couldn’t hold our serve,” Sweigard said.
In the Lions’ other three-setter, they outlasted Barrington’s No. 3-4 seeded seniors Hadi Dossani and Sohan Yousfi 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
At the Pitchford, Sweigard and Pavlik beat a New Trier duo with one player from both state pairs. Dusiass and Plunkett beat Hinsdale Central’s top-seeded seniors Kyle McCain and Nicholas Marringa 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 for the state championship.
“I am really good friends with the (Hinsdale Central) guys. It would have been a little weird (playing them) in the state final,” said Sweigard, who will play at Wisconsin. “I’ll just remember playing really well and getting third.”
LTHS sophomore Mateja Nokic (15-14) was 0-2 at state in singles after qualifying for state in doubles as a freshman.
“(Sweigard) was a great coach and mentor throughout the entire tournament, which was really helpful (at state),” Pavlik said. “It’s very motivating. It just shows what I’m able to accomplish but also makes me very hopeful for the years to come.”
LTHS boys volleyball
The Lions’ hopes for a sixth straight regional title were stopped by West Suburban Conference Silver Division rival York 25-14, 27-25 in the St. Laurence Regional final, May 28. Senior Brody Lee-Caracci led the Lions (22-16) this season in kills (318) and service aces (24) with 56 blocks. Other leaders were seniors Brady Schlichter (304 digs, 2.28 serve-receive rating) and Jack Hartman (83 blocks).
Lewis recruit Lee-Caracci was named first team IVCA all-state and Schlichter was second team all-state. Lee-Caracci and Hartman were All-WSC Silver selections.
“While the season ended sooner than we had hoped, this group demonstrated resilience and a willingness to compete throughout the year,” LTHS coach Brad Skendzel said. “There were moments when we showed our potential and put the pieces together, proving that we could compete with any team on our schedule.”
The No. 4 seed in the Argo Sectional, the Lions had beaten York 25-18, 18-25, 25-19, April 14. The No. 5 Dukes (21-13) lost in the sectional semifinals to eventual state runner-up Oak Park and River Forest.
Skendzel said York’s 6-foot-7 Hunter Stepanich (16 kills in 27 attacks) was a huge factor in the second meeting.
“The first time we played York, we earned a hard-fought victory in three sets with each set being highly competitive. (This time) we made several adjustments based on our previous matchup, but we were ultimately unable to execute consistently and finish plays when it mattered most,” Skendzel said. “We had opportunities to close out rallies and take control of the second set, but we were unable to capitalize on those moments.”