Poise under pressure puts WWS on top
Wheaton Warrenville South showed something that good girls volleyball teams show every time they go out on the court: poise.
The Tigers used that poise to dispatch Glenbard East in straight games 25-15, 25-22 Tuesday night.
In the first game WW South (15-1, 5-0) jumped all over the Rams, grabbing a 15-3 lead before allowing Glenbard East to go on a 11-5 run to climb back into the game. That run proved to not be enough as the Tigers closed the first game on a 5-1 run.
The second game started much like the first but got rather interesting toward the end. The Tigers grabbed an early 14-8 lead, but this time the Rams were able to go on another spurt, this time a 13-4 run to take a 21-18 lead as Glenbard East's Amanda Peterson had 5 of her team-high 10 kills during that span.
"During our runs we served tougher and were able to get some big swings," Glenbard East coach Marci Maier said. "Amanda had some huge swings, and she was instrumental with us making it close in the second game."
The Rams led 22-20 late in the second game but the WW South seniors showed their experience as they rattled off the games next 5 points to close out the match.
"At times we do get rattled; we did this past weekend against Naperville North," WW South coach Bill Schreier said. "We got our composure and we pulled it out tonight. The past few years we were a young team, but we have grown into a senior-led team this season. They do a good job keeping composed."
The Tigers on the court never turned on each other or pointed fingers to blame during the Ram runs.
"It doesn't worry us when a team goes on a run," WW South outside hitter Rebecca Zlabis said. "We haven't played as well as we can, but we are playing consistent. We have been playing together for awhile and we know how to turn it up."
Despite the loss Glenbard East (7-4, 3-2) was optimistic for things to come this season.
"For us to play like we did tonight, we know we can play with any team in the state," Maier said. "When we fire on all cylinders like we did in the second game, we can be very tough."
Zlabis led WW South with 12 kills, while Mollie Kolosky chipped in with 10.