Bouncing back has been a way of life for Lincoln-Way East of late.
On Oct. 7, the Knights were stunned in the first game by Homewood-Flosmoor before roaring to life in Games 2 and 3 to prevail 24-26, 25-9, 25-20.
On Oct. 9, they saw momentum get away in a Game 2 loss to Stagg before playing tough during crunch time in Game 3 to prevail 25-20, 23-25, 25-23.
Over the weekend at the St. Charles East Mizuno Cup, they lost both matches on Friday before finding their stride Saturday to beat Hinsdale South, Wheaton-Warrenville South and Naperville Central to capture the Bronze Division title.
“The captains were proud to receive the plaque,” Griffins coach Linda Vivona said. “The girls enjoyed having the honor of putting their thumb mark of accomplishment on it.”
They were especially happy, Vivona said, to win Thursday’s Volley for the Cure match against Stagg. Becca Lilley led the way in that victory with 10 kills, while Lindsey Paulsen added five blocks and Kailey Hackett had 14 digs.
“We showed great resilience and tenacity by sticking in it when our backs were up against the wall,” Vivona said. “The previous week we lost to Stagg at the Asics Challenge and the girls were eager for some revenge.”
D-lightful feeling
De La Salle continued its positive roll toward the postseason with a 3-1 record Saturday at the Elk Grove Invitational that included a come-from-behind 17-25, 25-18, 15-8 victory over Carmel.
The 3-1 mark left the Meteors in a three-way tie for first place with Carmel and Crystal Lake South, the latter of which defeated them 25-19, 25-21. Crystal Lake South was declared the tournament champion via games differential.
“This team is real special,” De La Salle coach Anna Marassa said. “There are three seniors (Natalie Arredia, Mary Kate Byrnes and Carleigh Barringer) who have been starting since their freshman year, and another (Kyra White) who started since her sophomore year.
“So basically there are four seniors who have been working their tails off trying to prove themselves. To have them do so well is a big deal. They’ve worked real hard, and hopefully it’ll keep going.”
Only the beginning
Providence’s 25-23, 22-25, 25-18 win Tuesday over Joliet Catholic was its first since 2007, and may be the start of a flurry of matches between the two New Lenox neighbors.
“We will see them at least one more time before the end of the regular season (Oct. 23 at Joliet Catholic),” Celtics coach Rachel Ellingson said. “Then they’re in our regional. And there is the possibility of seeing them at the (Glenbard East) Autumnfest (Oct. 17-18).”
Player of the Week
Mary Murphy, of Joliet Catholic, is the SouthtownStar Girls Volleyball Player of the Week.
Murphy, a senior setter/outside hitter, had 46 kills, 35 assists and 34 digs as the Angels went 4-1 at the Oswego Tournament. In a three-game victory over Riverside-Brookfield she had 18 kills.
