Girls volleyball: Geneva bounces back, downs Rosary

Geneva's girls volleyball team may be inexperienced in some areas this season but it is growing up quickly.

Two days removed from a disappointing 25-13, 25-14 loss to St. Charles North in their Upstate Eight Conference River Division opener, the Vikings (4-5) rebounded with a thrilling 25-20, 25-17 nonconference triumph over Rosary (3-8) Thursday night in Aurora.

Senior outside hitter Molly Lambillotte led a balanced attack with a match-high 10 kills and 8 digs as the Vikings strung a few timely runs together during both games.

"At the beginning of the season, we weren't playing as well as a team but I think yesterday and today we just kind of came together," said Lambillotte. "We focused on each other instead of ourselves."

In the opening set, Geneva fell behind 6-3 before scoring 7 unanswered points, fueled by 6 consecutive service points from freshman setter Anna Loberg (7 assists).

"Staying aggressive from the service line (was a key)," said Geneva coach Annie Seitelman, who guided the Vikings to a 37-2 record last season that included Class 4A regional and sectional titles. "Then getting in some of those long rallies that previously we weren't winning - those are big momentum shifters. Tonight, we lost a few but we won a few, too,"

Clinging to a 19-18 lead, the Vikings closed out the first game with 6 of the final 8 points, including a pair of kills from senior outside hitter Danielle Thompson (9 kills, 8 digs, 2 aces) and senior middle blocker Nicole Acton (5 kills).

"I think it was really important that we didn't get down when they got a point," said Lambillotte. "You can feel the momentum in this gym because it's really loud. Our fans helped a lot but we stayed calm the whole time and we helped the underclassmen so they wouldn't get freaked out."

Geneva jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the second game before 5 straight service points from Loberg and a few hitting errors by the Royals extended the margin to 12-4.

Sparked by a remarkable flat-hand dig by sophomore libero Sarah Konovodoff and kills from Lauren Brummel (5 kills), Maya Sullivan (4 kills) and Celeste Cozzoni, Rosary rallied to trim the deficit to 14-12.

However, Geneva sealed the decision with another 6-0 surge that featured 3 kills from Thompson and Lambillotte's back-row putdown.

"Molly and Dani both had great nights for us but I think all-around it was a great team effort," said Seitelman. "We didn't have to rely on one person."

Piper Drazek led the Vikings with 12 assists and a pair of aces while senior libero Payton Bellano added 6 digs.

"We've had our ups and downs but I think tonight they started playing well as a team," said Seitelman. "The energy was good. Our program kids were fantastic and our crowd was great. It was such a fun atmosphere."

Jessica Gardella added 2 aces for the Royals.

"Our hitting errors had something to do with it but I think our girls played a heck of a game compared to what we had on Tuesday (loss to Newark)," said Rosary coach Bill Allen.

"We'll just continue to work at it."