Jacobs’ experience overwhelms Bartlett
Quick and decisive.
Those two words aptly describe Jacobs’ 25-17, 25-13 win over Bartlett in nonconference girls volleyball action in Algonquin Tuesday night. The season opener for the Golden Eagles lasted only 42 minutes.
“For a first match, we played well,” said Jacobs coach Lisa Dwyer. “We missed some serves and had some hitting errors. We have some things to work on and need to clean up our house a little.”
Senior Alyssa Ehrhardt, a 4-year starter who has verbally committed to play at Toledo, paced the Golden Eagles with 8 kills and 8 aces.
“We have had really good practices and came out really strong tonight,” said Ehrhardt. “It was a good first match of the season. The younger players were a little nervous, but played well. By making my college decision I can really relax and enjoy my senior year and help this team win. I don’t have the stress of making a college decision.”
Said Dwyer: “Alyssa played very well. Her varsity experience really helped tonight. She took over when we needed it.”
Senior setter Taylor Lauder collected 13 assists while freshman middle blocker Katie Mahoney had a solid first varsity game with 5 kills for the Eagles. Kassie Kasper paced Jacobs’ defensive effort with 6 digs,
In Game 1, holding a slim 14-13 lead, Jacobs widened the gap 23-13 with a 9-0 run. It was Ehrhardt’s 4 kills and 3 aces that keyed the Golden Eagles surge. Rachel Arcenaux also contributed 2 kills for Jacobs during the critical run.
A kill by Bartlett’s Haley Hasenstein pulled the Hawks (0-3) within 7, 24-17. That was as close as Bartlett would get. Jacobs won the first game on a kill by Mahoney.
Like the first game, the Golden Eagles seized control late in the second game. Up 15-13, Jacobs won the game and match by scoring the final 10 points. Ehrhardt collected 3 kills with 3 aces during the Golden Eagles’ match-ending 10-0 run.
Hasenstein and Rachel Hartford paced Bartlett with 3 kills apiece while sophomore setter Danielle Santucci garnered 7 assists.
“We opened the season with a very tough schedule,” said Bartlett coach Michele Bickus. “St. Charles North, Crystal Lake South and Jacobs are all very good teams. We lost 12 seniors from last year and are very inexperienced. These kids are working hard in practice and we are seeing improvement.”
Elgin d. Proviso East: Setter Hope Demel dished out 13 assists and had 5 kills, 3 aces and 2 digs as Elgin (1-1) won 25-19, 18-25, 25-19 in nonconference action. Jackie Shioli had 9 kills for the Maroons.