Brandon Parks chose to give an honest assessment of his past work in volleyball.

These days, the Downers Grove South senior outside hitter is a lynchpin in the starting lineup for a team closing in on 20 wins in the regular season.

Parks served up eight aces, five kills and four digs in his team’s two-set win over Addison Trail on April 30. Parks ignited a rally with three consecutive kills to help close out Senior Night on a positive note.

But the 6-foot-3 Parks, a two-year varsity player, wasn’t a natural in volleyball. He plans to not play volleyball in college despite some overtures by colleges. He started his high school career on the Freshman “B” team.

“Volleyball has been my main sport since seventh grade,” Parks said. “I used to be a chunky, five inches shorter and 200 pounds. I hit a growth spurt in my sophomore year, about five inches. I was never short. I was stocky. Everyone was a lot better than me. I got into shape and I started playing better. I wasn’t very good and still enjoyed it and stuck to it.

Downers Grove South coach Kurt Steuer said Parks benefited from gaining a few inches, but after slimming down his body, it transformed his game.

“Brandon has come a long way since his freshman year to his senior year,” Steuer said. “It shows a lot about his character and commitment to the program. He got into shape between his junior and senior year. You can see it on the court. He’s gotten faster, slimmed down and become a heck of a volleyball player for us.”

With Parks becoming a consistent threat at the net and providing offense with his powerful jump-serve, the Mustangs (18-14) are aiming to match their success in 2013 when they won the state title. Senior outside hitter Jack Tischler and sophomore setter Nathaniel Cosslyleon have played big roles. The Mustangs were awarded the No. 6 seed in the Hinsdale South Sectional. They open the playoffs against St. Laurence on May 20.

Steuer said Parks made a goal of becoming a six-rotation player in his senior season to aid the Mustangs’ chances for a winning season.

“In our offseason meeting with the team, our senior group wanted to take action and really focus on taking the leadership of being in the weight room in the winter to help prepare for the season,” he said. “Brandon was one of those guys down there many days during the week lifting and doing cardio workouts alongside teammates to get him ready for three months of everyday practices and games. You would have thought of him as a boxer preparing for a big event in the coming months getting on the recumbent bikes or treadmill in his hooded sweatshirt putting in the work.”

Parks said he realized the importance on being a senior mentor to the younger players through is own adjustment period to playing competitive volleyball in high school.

“It’s encouraged me to talk to the younger players because they think there’s not much they can do to help or get better,” Parks said. “But I tell them, a lot of people were there and they can get there if they keep improving.”

BASEBALL

Westmont

Matt O'Leary doubled in Jason Eiermann, who led off with a bunt single, as Westmont beat Lisle 1-0 in 12 innings on May 6. Shawn Kwasny struck out 13 and allowed just three hits over seven innings for the Sentinels (19-9, 5-4 Interstate Eight). Winning pitcher Caden Anderson struck out four over five innings of relief.

GIRLS SOCCER

Benet

Cami Picha and Nicole Burns scored goals for the Redwings (16-2-1, 6-1) in their 2-0 win over Marist on May 4. Abby Casmere and Mae Tully had Benet's scores in its 2-0 win over Nazareth on May 3.