Rosary gets reacquainted with St. Edward, slips past Wave

They’re no longer in the same conference, but Rosary and St. Edward played like old rivals on Tuesday.

Host St. Edward departed the Suburban Christian for the Metro Suburban this year, and former SCC foe Rosary won in three games, 25-16, 24-26 and 25-16.

The difference came in a third games that saw Rosary clean up its play to get the win, impressing Green Wave coach Jaime Dovichi.

“They stopped making the mistakes they were making in the second game,” Dovichi said. “Don’t take anything away from Rosary. They’re big, they play fast, and we were a step behind the whole time. They’re the best team we’ve seen this year.”

Game 1 was tied 12-12 when Rosary (10-8) broke it open, with outside hitter Molly Curley finishing well down the stretch. Curley finished with six kills and 10 digs.

St. Edward (10-4) trailed for much of Game 2 before tying it at 20-20 on a Megan Barth ace, avoiding game point on a CeCe Rapp block, then winning it on a Rapp kill and a Rosary error.

That’s when Rosary’s depth paid off.

Players like Kennedy Jenig had two aces and served well when she entered the match, and Erin Burke provided a spark in limited action.

“I think whoever we put in, they know what their job is and they do it,” Rosary setter Brook Martner said. “We’re playing together as a team.”

Martner had 27 assists, Curley added 10 digs, and Michaela Ping led the way with seven kills. Martha Konovodoff finished with 19 digs for Rosary.

“I wasn’t super happy with the way we played at all times but I like what I’m seeing from them as a group,” Rosary coach Rachel Hartmann said. “I told them that when we need to make certain changes, they’re getting on the court and doing what they’re supposed to do.

“They’re really smart girls and even if I wasn’t pleased with their play sometimes, I’m super pleased with the rotation.”

Dominique Washington led St. Edward with eight kills, Alyssa Saunders had nine digs, and Rapp had six blocks and four kills.