LZ has reason to celebrate
Lake Zurich's girls golf team earned high fives Tuesday.
The Bears posted their best score in five years, carding a 181 to defeat visiting Lakes (195) at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein.
Amanda Beck led Lake Zurich with a 42. Beck received support from Amanda Wright (45), Aleka Haider (47) and Gina McCoy (47).
Lakes' Abbie Horan was medalist with a 40.
Boys golf
Libertyville d. Lakes: At Pine Meadow, the Wildcats were on fire, shooting a 153 to defeat the Eagles (166).
Four Libertyville golfers broke 40, led by Kurt Kapfer, whose short game and putting were the keys to his even-par 36. Brett Coburn, David Locke and Paul Davidsen each had a 39 for the Wildcats.
Lakes' Tyler Ruefer also shot a 39.
CL Central d. Grayslake N.: At Renwood, Crystal Lake Central (154) edged the Rams (158) behind medalist Riley Bauman's 36.
Grayslake North's Matt Romac shot a 37 and Sean Humphrey had a 39.
Cary-Grove d. Grayslake C.: At Cary Country Club, the host Trojans shot a sizzling 150, as three players carded 37s. Grayslake Central's Dom Maggiore had a 38.
Girls volleyball
Wauconda d. Marengo: The Bulldogs got their 2008 season off to a successful start, winning 25-12, 25-21 at home, as Becky Breakfield helped lead the way with 6 kills and 3 aces.
Lauren Mead also slammed 6 kills for Wauconda, while Stephanie Olson chipped in five. Kristy Waltenburg lofted 16 assists. The Bulldogs also got 3 aces from Corinne Feight and 2 blocks from Maddie Westman.
Stevenson d. Rolling Meadows: Taylor Berland had 6 kills, as the Patriots opened their season with a 25-13, 25-18 win.
Mary Kate Fritzsche added 4 kills and 13 digs, Jenna Przybyla served 4 aces and contributed 6 assists, and Maggie Lundstrom recorded 14 assists. Stevenson also received 3 kills apiece from Annelise Docel and Michelle Fleishman. Izzy Shaindlin posted a team-best 17 digs.
Warren d. Glenbrook N.: Shelby Myers racked up 6 kills and 7 blocks, and Emily Mohapp had 4 kills and 5 blocks and for the Blue Devils in their season opener. Lindsay Goad lofted 32 assists.
Vernon Hills d. Leyden: Rachael Ramsey hammered 7 kills for the Cougars in their 25-13, 25-17 win. Nora Snyder and Alla Krashevsky added 3 kills apiece.
Alana Coy and Anna Christensen had 12 and 9 assists, respectively, and Jamie Rucks served 3 aces.
Palatine d. Grant: Stefanie Cahill had 4 kills in the Bulldogs' season-opening 25-23, 25-22 loss.
Hersey d. Libertyville: The Wildcats, who advanced downstate for the first time in their history last year, opened with a 25-19, 25-15 loss.
Megan Friedman and Emma Mach each had 4 kills, and Sami Mack added 3. Sarah Caren dished out 12 assists.
"The good is today we now know what parts of our game we need to focus on in practice," Libertyville coach Chris Trzyna said. "We had flashes of playing well. Our inexperience showed tonight. As soon as we gel on the court, we should be competitive."
Deerfield d. Lakes: The Eagles fell 25-23, 25-20, despite 3 kills apiece from Mandy Fischer and Steffanie Fisher. Fischer also had 4 blocks.
"For a first game, we played well," Eagles coach Carla Thompson said. "We have only two returning starters from last year's team. (Freshman) Rachel Sieracki (5 assists) played extremely well in her first varsity start. Mandy Fischer is playing great on defense. Inexperience hurt us, but that won't last for long. Once we find our pace and stop letting the other team pace us, we will be a strong offensive team."
Lake Zurich d. Prairie Ridge: Amber Miehlke had 9 kills, Jenn Grunden added six and Lydia Bauer contributed five to lead the Bears to a 25-19, 26-24 win over perennial power Prairie Ridge. Bauer also had 18 assists.
Boys soccer
Stevenson 1, Mather 0: Gordy Gurson finished a Shaun Singh cross 12 minutes into the opening half to lift the Patriots in the nonconference game.
Lake Zurich 1, St. Charles N. 1: At Barrington, Brett Harper scored in the first half for Lake Zurich, which allowed the equalizer in the second half. Eric Pothast had the Bears' assist. Keeper Taao Scarnato made 7 saves for Lake Zurich (2-0-1).
Grayslake N. 4, Harvard 2: Jorge Gomez had a goal and an assist for the Knights, who improved to 2-0.
James Gianneschi, Dieter Mayer and Patrick O'Gorman also scored, while Josh Larson had 2 assists for Grayslake North.
"We really started to show some chemistry on the field that looks like our attack can become rather potent when necessary," Knights coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "There are many positive things going on in this team and the kids are really showing they have what it takes to get the desired and, more importantly, deserved results."