Defense keys Naperville Central to regional win

Defensive specialists like Naperville Central's Jill Fields don't typically draw a crowd of reporters after a match. It's the heavy hitters at the net who put away the kills who usually get most of the attention.

But when Fields and teammates such as Alyssa Bauer and Chelsea Thurlby come up with stellar defensive plays in the back row, it hard to ignore them. Their steady play and that of setter Megan McMahon is key to the Redhawks' success.

They proved that again Saturday with a 25-17, 25-22 victory over Plainfield North to capture the Class 4A Bolingbrook girls volleyball regional championship.

"We stress in practice that defense wins championships," said Naperville Central coach Brie Isaacson. "As great is it is to see the final kill, there is a lot that happens to get them that opportunity. Defensively, Jill, Alyssa and Chelsea really stepped up to allow our hitters to be so successful."

The Redhawks (33-4) feature perhaps the two top outside hitters in the state, Rebecca Heath and Emily McGee. They played on the Naperville Central team that won the state title two years ago and know what it takes to get it done in big matches. The duo was particularly active against the Tigers (29-6), putting away 12 kills apiece. Heath, a senior, seemed to elevate her game to a new level at times.

"We came out with so much energy and just wanted it so bad," Heath said. "(The postseason) is the most exhilarating part of the season. This is what I play for."

"Rebecca is really strong outside," Issacson said. "The other girls rely on (Heath and McGee). (Heath) raised her game when she needed to and got some big points."

Heath said the offense's proficiency had to do with the play of the defensive specialists, good passing and the heady setting by McMahon, a senior who dished 31 assists.

A turning point early on in the match came in game one when Plainfield North held a slim 12-11 lead. The Redhawks got the ball on the serve and Fields served 9 straight points, including an ace, to give them a 20-11 advantage. The junior made a stellar dig during that run, striking the ball just right so that it shot back over the net for a kill. Fields made another nice dig when she just got enough of her left hand under the ball to bump it up for a teammate to keep it in play. She finished with 8 digs for the match.

"We back each other up other," Fields said when asked how she makes these big plays. "I do this in practice."

In Game 2 the Tigers pulled within 21-19 behind the hitting of Amber DeWeerdt and Kylee Baker. Isaacson called timeout and Naperville Central refocused to win its fourth consecutive regional championship.

"Brie told us we were going to win this game and we needed to understand that," Heath said. "That was it."