Northwest girls volleyball roundup
The Prospect girls volleyball team worked awfully hard the past few weeks trying to collect money for its “Volley for the Cure match Tuesday night at the Jean Walker Field House in Mt. Prospect.
It all paid off as the program earned $7,473 for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer awareness fund, bettering its totals of the last two years by almost $2,000.
The Knights worked hard on the court, too, as they came back from a first game setback to edge visiting Maine South 21-25, 25-8, 25-23 triumph on the special night.
“This is something we've enjoyed doing in the past and we want to keep it going, said Knights power-hitting senior Sarah Hunt, who helped her team improve to 14-12 by putting down a match-high 12 kills with 11-of-13 serve receiving, 7 digs and 5 blocks. “We always seem to raise a lot of money, it's a good thing.
The Knights raised $11,500 the last two years combined.
Junior outside hitter Sage Rebecca said it's a good thing for the Knights to look forward to each season.
“We've been pretty successful at it, so we really enjoy doing everything for it we do a lot of signs and try to get as many donations as we can. Everyone sold 10 (pink) shirts.
Even the officials were in pink for the match, in which Prospect came to life in the second game.
“Obviously we woke up in Game 2, Hunt said. “It just took us a while to get going and into our game. But once we did, it all worked out.
The Knights worked their way into a 24-20 lead in Game 3 with a back-to-back kill and block by junior Maura Benson.
The Hawks battled back to within 24-23 before Rebecca ended the match with her fifth kill.
“We've been working real hard in practice, Rebecca said. “A lot has been on blocking, which really came through tonight.
Benson and Hunt each 5 blocks while Rebecca had 4.
Anne Geweniger and Mariel Sobey (5 kills, 2 aces) both had 10 digs to lead the defense while Danielle Siwik (17 assists) and Shea Gallus (9) set the offense.
Knights sophomore Colleen Chupiek had 5 digs and served an ace.
But the most important number on this night was $7,343.
“The kids busted their butts to make this happen, said Knights coach Mike Riedy. “And the parents were phenomenal. The staff at Prospect and community were great with their support. It was a total lovefest.
Maine South coach Sebastian Acevedo is planning a “Volley for the Cure in Park Ridge next week when Glenbrook South visits and was thrilled with the way things went Tuesday.
“This was fantastic, he said. “What a turnout, the balloons, signs, raffles and everything. They did a great job.
“We are definitely going to copy everything they did, and their coaching staff was great to us. They did a great job.
St. Viator d. Carmel: Led by Lauren Falotico (8 kills), Emily Leazer (7) and Janelle Stilling (4), St. Viator (22-8, 2-4) posted a 25-22, 20-25, 25-23 victory in the East Suburban Catholic match with visiting Carmel.Carlyn Clevenger handed out 19 assists while Lauren Bunda collected 11 digs for the Lions.Conant d. Mundelein: Chelsea Vanicek had 10 kills and Kaitlin Chiero handed out 19 assist as host Conant (8-15) won the nonconference match 25-23, 25-23.Cougars junior Rachael Yordon (19-21 serve receive) collected 14 digs while teammate Michelle Lauterbach had 11.Libertyville d. Buffalo Grove: Libertyville (27-1) won the nonconference match 25-22, 25-16 over the visiting Bison (4-23) as BG was led by Alanna Zawlocki (5 kills), Sierra Bugno (23) and Maureen Corbett (2) on attack. Bison junior setter Kathy Hampton collected 12 assists while teammate Victoria Ito had 18 digs.