Spartans on the fast track
Michelle Kocher says her four years setting for the St. Francis girls volleyball team have gone by fast.
Just like the offense she runs -- fast and furious.
The Texas-bound Kocher and Spartans were at their best Saturday in Des Plaines, defending their title at the Maine West Pumpkin Tournament with a 25-23, 25-19 victory over Downers Grove South.
The Spartans (30-3) started the week as the No. 8 team in the Daily Herald rankings, while Downers Grove South (26-6) was No. 5.
"They are always very competitive and we look forward to playing them," said Kocher, who handed out 23 assists in the title match. "We went through a little bit of a rough patch, but now we've put it back together.
"We're communicating more and playing with more intensity. That always helps. We know we have the talent. It's just a matter of bringing it together."
The Spartans had it together late in Game 1 when they drew off to a 22-19 lead with back-to-back blocks by sophomore Kelsey Robinson and a tool by senior Morgan Butler.
The Mustangs battled back to within 23-22 on ace by junior setter Colleen Dobry.
The Spartans finally put it away on a kill by Notre Dame-bound Megan Barnicle, who put down 6 kills.
St. Francis jumped to a 9-3 lead in Game 2, getting 3 straight service points from Kelsey Vorgert.
After a tip by Seton Hall-bound Megan Matusiak to tie the game at 1-1, the Spartans never trailed. Their 9th point came on nifty dink by Kocher.
Downers South never got closer than 5 points the rest of the way.
Meg Vonderhaar ended the match with a kill.
The 5-foot-11 freshman also provided St. Francis its first kill of the match.
"She's a very talented player and has a lot of good years ahead of her," Kocher said. "She's one to watch for."
"Margaret is stepping up," added Spartans coach Peg Kopec of Vonderhaar, whose team won three of its four regular-season tourneys this season. "I thought we blocked better this tourney than we had been. I'm thrilled. It's nice to defend your title."
Robinson led the Spartans with 10 kills and also had 9 digs.
"She is tough," Kopec said of the 5-11 outside hitter. "For a sophomore she is doing a very good job."
Spartans libero Catherine Culligan added 6 digs, 6 service points and 1 ace.
Downers Grove South was led on attack by juniors Christine Bowe, Marielle Oestermeyer and Kelsey Safranek, who all had 4 kills.
"We had a great weekend," said Mustangs coach Colleen Reagan. "When you come down to it, St. Francis played a great match and that was the difference. They pulled it together and we didn't. We've got some things to work on for the state series.
"I thought Kelsey (Safranek, a 6-1 middle hitter) really came up big this tournament and she was dominating against Sandburg (18-25, 25-17, 25-10 semifinal win). All our players are doing well. We've got a nice, spread-out offense and it's working well."