T.F. South libero Ashtyn Kapovich has all the usual dreams a volleyball player has of conference titles, sectional championships, trips to state.
But there’s one other thing she’d like to experience before making her final dig for the Rebels.
“I want people to look at us and say, ‘Wow, we have to play T.F. South today,’ like they do with teams like Marian Catholic,” Kapovich said after T.F. South’s 25-15, 25-15 South Suburban conference win over host Evergreen Park on Thursday. “We want to show people that we’re not beatable, that we can always win.”
Even against Marian Catholic.
The Rebels did just that the night before, avenging a 2012 loss with a 25-22, 25-20 victory that added a nice feather to their confidence cap.
“Oh, it was huge,” Kapovich said with a smile. “That was our top goal for our whole team. When it all happened, we had this thing where we said to be calm, and just go out there and do what we do.”
In Thursday’s win, the Rebels (3-1, 2-0) spread the hitting wealth, with Crystal Lee (six kills), Briana Lilly (six kills), Madyson Anthony (six kills) and Leah Lagestee (five kills) all swinging free. Lee added a pair of service aces, while Abbe Mullen had 17 assists, Kapovich five digs and Jenna Pasko 10 service points.
For Evergreen Park (2-1, 0-1), Emma Przeslicke had four kills, Maddie Vojacek three kills, Sara Klawitter eight digs and Zoe Monks six assists.
The Rebels weren’t very fancy. Most of their kills were straight-shot rockets.
They put Game 1 away with an 8-0 run that broke open what had been a 4-3 battle. During that stretch, Pasko had four serves that Evergreen Park was unable to return. Lee also sent a booming spike down the left line.
Game 2 was close at 12-10 when Lilly and Lee went back to back with snapdown kills to start a 5-0 pullaway.
“We like that,” Lee said of the Rebels’ power game.
Bring on the respect.
“I do expect respect, but quite frankly, we never get it,” Lee said. “We want to show ’em what we’ve got.”
