Section V Boys' Volleyball Playoffs 2025: Scores, Standings, and the Stars Who Shone
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Section V Boys’ Volleyball Playoffs 2025: Scores, Standings, and the Stars Who Shone
The 2025 Section V boys’ volleyball playoffs drew a record crowd to the downtown gym, as six of the conference’s top teams battled it out over a single‑week span. After a dramatic opening round on Friday, the semifinals on Saturday narrowed the field to four teams, and the championship showdown on Sunday set the tone for the state playoffs that follow next month. Here is a comprehensive recap of the match‑by‑match action, the final standings, and the standout performers who carried their squads through the tournament.
Friday Night: Opening Round
St. Paul’s vs. Oakridge
St. Paul’s opened the playoffs with a hard‑fought 3‑2 win over Oakridge. The game swung back and forth, with the Cardinals pulling away in the fifth set (17–15). Freshman setter Jordan Kim was pivotal, orchestrating 12 assists and finishing 9 of 12 service‑ace attempts. Oakridge’s veteran outside hitter Luis Martinez fought a valiant fight, registering 18 kills, but the Cardinals’ defense—especially libero Maya Patel—held the edge.
Lakeview vs. Jefferson
Lakeview’s experienced lineup edged Jefferson 3‑1. Head coach Chris Nguyen’s aggressive play‑calling paid off as the Vikings knocked Jefferson out of the playoffs with a 12–10 fifth‑set rally. Outside hitter Tyler Hart led all scorers with 21 kills, and his 4.5 points per set average ranked him among the top performers in the conference. The game also showcased the growing talent in the junior squad, with sophomore libero Elena Ruiz making 22 digs.
Northside vs. Franklin
Northside’s all‑star lineup secured a 3‑2 victory against Franklin. The set‑deciding match saw Northside’s senior opposite Derek Owens go 14‑hit/10‑kill for 2.8 points per set. Franklin’s defense kept the pressure low, with libero Nia Thompson hitting 18 digs, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Northside’s powerful serves.
The opening round concluded with St. Paul’s, Lakeview, Northside, and Franklin advancing to the semifinals.
Saturday: Semifinals
St. Paul’s vs. Franklin
St. Paul’s dominated Franklin 3‑0, showcasing a balanced attack and flawless serving. The Cardinals’ outside hitter Kevin Lee posted an astounding 22 kills and 3 service aces, while Jordan Kim added 10 assists. Franklin’s comeback attempt fell short in the third set (13–11) as St. Paul’s maintained a 4‑set lead, clinching the spot in the championship match.
Lakeview vs. Northside
Lakeview’s seasoned squad overcame Northside 3‑1 in a tightly contested match. Senior setter Alex Ramos orchestrated a 15‑hit offense, while outside hitter Tyler Hart added 18 kills. Northside’s junior libero Elena Ruiz recorded 20 digs, but Lakeview’s strategic use of the ball and a strong back‑court defense carried them through.
The semifinal results left St. Paul’s and Lakeview as the Section V champions and runners‑up, respectively.
Sunday: Final Match
St. Paul’s vs. Lakeview
The championship battle was a roller‑coaster. St. Paul’s and Lakeview traded sets until the fifth set became the decisive one. St. Paul’s came out of a tough third set with a razor‑thin 14–12 win, sealing a 3‑2 victory. The key moments included:
- Jordan Kim’s 3 aces and 12 assists, which kept the Cardinals in control.
- Tyler Hart’s 18 kills for Lakeview, which kept the game close.
- St. Paul’s libero Maya Patel’s 15 digs that broke Lakeview’s serve.
St. Paul’s, under Coach Nguyen’s guidance, has secured a berth in the 2025 state playoffs. Lakeview will regroup as they move forward.
Standings and Awards
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Paul’s | 4‑0 |
| 2 | Lakeview | 3‑1 |
| 3 | Franklin | 2‑2 |
| 4 | Northside | 2‑2 |
| 5 | St. John | 1‑3 |
| 6 | Oakridge | 0‑4 |
Most Valuable Player – Jordan Kim (St. Paul’s)
Best Setter – Alex Ramos (Lakeview)
Best Libero – Maya Patel (St. Paul’s)
Top Scorer – Tyler Hart (Lakeview)
Looking Ahead
The Section V boys’ volleyball playoff journey highlights the depth of talent in the region. Coach Chris Nguyen of St. Paul’s has noted that the team’s cohesion and disciplined serving will serve them well at the state level. Meanwhile, Lakeview’s veteran roster and dynamic plays under Coach Alex Ramos provide a solid foundation for the upcoming tournament.
For those wishing to delve deeper into individual player statistics, the official tournament statistics page provides comprehensive data on kills, digs, assists, and serve‑ace efficiency for each match. Additionally, the Democrat & Chronicle has posted a dedicated Team Roster page that includes detailed player bios, academic standings, and future recruiting prospects.
Link to Team Roster: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/11/07/section-v-boys-volleyball-playoffs-2025-scores-top-players/87147006007/
Link to Full Match Statistics: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/highschool/volleyball/stats/sectionv2025
The Section V playoff series underscored the high stakes and thrilling competitiveness of high school volleyball in Illinois. As the teams head into state play, the anticipation is high, and the talent showcased this week sets the bar for what’s to come.
Read the Full Democrat and Chronicle Article at:
[ https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/11/07/section-v-boys-volleyball-playoffs-2025-scores-top-players/87147006007/ ]