Melendez serves Wildcats to win

It served 'em right.

Libertyville's serving game completely dominated on the road Thursday night and, as a result, the Wildcats got what they deserved. They easily defeated Deerfield 25-11, 25-8 in a nonconference girls volleyball match.

"We were just hitting our zones well tonight," Libertyville coach Chris Trzyna said. "We controlled the game from the service line and we've just been playing real well the last couple of weeks."

After the Wildcats started the first game with a 12-5 run and never looked back, senior Emma Melendez started the second game by scoring on the first 10 serves. She delivered a pair of aces during the run.

"In the middle of the season, I decided to switch to a floater because it's harder to pass and to read," Melendez said.

After a somewhat slow start to the season, Libertyville is 17-4.

"I think as a team we've become a lot closer," Melendez said. "We've mixed up the lineup and the chemistry is working a lot better for us."

Melendez was 9 of 9 on serve-receive and recorded 5 digs.

Wildcats senior Erin DeMarco also had an excellent night on the line, scoring 12 points, including 4 aces. She also had 3 kills, 14 assists (36 of 36 setting) and 6 digs.

Also for Libertyville, Dani Kopera served 8 points, including 2 aces, and had 2 digs. Jenny Caren served 5 points, including 2 aces, and recorded 2 digs. Ali Haws contributed 4 blocks and 4 kills. Emma Mach had 3 kills, while Leigha Bystol and Maka Stewart each chipped in a pair.

Kiley Hierl led Deerfield with 3 kills and Taylor Stanfel had two. Rachel Jason and Stanfel each had 5 digs, while Alex Joseph had four and 5 assists.

"When you can't get the ball over the net, you aren't going to get a lot of stats," said Deerfield coach Michelle Judas, whose Warriors fell to 10-11. "Libertyville showed why they are a great team. But we just didn't play well tonight."