Knights get just what they want: home 'W'

Coach Nikki Kirchway had a simple message for her Grayslake North volleyball team prior to Thursday's match against visiting Round Lake.

"I asked them how bad they wanted it," she said. "That got them all excited."

What the girls wanted was the first home victory in program history.

Less than an hour later, there were broad smiles all around as the Knights walked off the court with a 25-13, 25-12 victory.

This is the second season Grayslake North has fielded varsity sports teams. All of the Knights' previous victories came in away matches or at tournaments.

"We're playing really well and talking a lot more," junior Taylor York said. "This was probably our best game yet."

Grayslake North had five victories all of last season. The Knights (7-8) already have surpassed that total just 15 matches into the season.

"We had the talent last year, but we didn't know how to put it together," senior outside hitter Megan Falk said. "It was very frustrating. Through the work we did this summer, you could see we were a lot more focused. This year is a new beginning."

Grayslake North controlled the action from the start. The Knights served strong throughout the match, and Round Lake (2-3) struggled mightily with serve-receive.

"We're our own worst enemy," Round Lake coach Amanda Allen said. "We have the talent to play with teams, but sometimes we don't show up."

York used her line-drive serve to pick up 4 aces.

"That's my signature serve," said York, whose role has expanded of late.

Junior Labrenthia Murdock (5 kills) was a bright spot for the Panthers. So was junior Amber Phillips, who had 5 blocks.

For Grayslake North, senior Kauri Voss (5 kills), junior setter Kaitlyn Klausner (4 kills) and Falk (3 kills) paced the attack. Senior Elizabeth Phillips and junior Grace Schlagetter each had 12 digs.

Kirchway liked the way her back-row players wanted to handle the ball on serve-receive.

"That's the attitude we're trying to instill," she said.

Like usual, Falk contributed in all phases for the Knights.

"She does everything, and she's our best leader on the floor," Kirchway said.

In addition to setting the ball directly over the net four times for points, Klausner distributed 12 assists.

"She's mixing her sets up and her serving is consistent," Kirchway said.