L-W West, Dargan letting loose
Junior hitter turns into Warriors’ version of Stretch Armstrong
Three good stretches before warm-ups weren’t enough for Lincoln-Way West’s Colin Dargan.
He had to have two more deep stretches at an unusual time — during the player introductions.
After the junior right-side hitter’s name was announced, he walked over to near the serving line, plopped himself down to the floor and did some more intense stretching.
“I love deep stretching before my games,” Dargan said. “I feel like if I don’t stretch, I can’t play well. I love to be loose. I love to be stretched out. I don’t want to pull any muscles or get injured. “That’s scary.”
It’s not a stretch to say that Dargan has been a big part of a huge season for the Warriors.
The left-handed Dargan delivered six kills Tuesday night to help host Lincoln-Way West roll to a 25-11, 25-21 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over crosstown rival Central in New Lenox.
Connor Jaral added six kills and seven digs for the Warriors (21-3, 2-0). Hunter Vedder tallied four kills, while Noah Konopack produced 20 assists and Andrew
Flores contributed eight digs.
Joey Vellenga led LincolnWay Central (13-11, 0-2) with five kills and Braeden Fawcett had three. After a rough first game, the Knights battled to a 14-14 tie before the Warriors pulled away.
Dargan has turned into the Warriors’ version of Stretch Armstrong. His mantra is to “stay elastic.”
“Staying elastic really helps with your vertical,” Dargan said afterward. “I jump somewhat high for being 6-foot-3. But staying elastic really helps me so much with running, jumping and swinging.
“I started doing it out of habit