Waubonsie can't hold lead vs. Saints

Blame a five-day layoff from the last match versus crosstown rival St. Charles North. Use the lingering letdown of homecoming weekend as an excuse.

St. Charles East would have none of that.

"Waubonsie took it us to us that first game," Saints setter Laura Homann said.

The fourth-ranked Saints answered the challenge in fine fashion Tuesday, coming back from down a game to beat host Waubonsie Valley 19-25, 25-13, 25-19.

"They were a different team that second and third game," Warriors coach Kristen Stuart said.

Waubonsie Valley led throughout Game 1, and with 5 quick points midway through surged ahead 21-14. Two of Laura Salmone's team-high 14 kills finished off the game.

"When we pass like we did in the first game we can run a great offense," Stuart said.

But St. Charles East dominated Game 2 after jumping out to a quick 7-2 lead. Caroline Niski had 5 kills in the game and a Jacqui Seidel block finished it off. The Saints also served up 4 aces, including 3 of the game's first 6 points.

"Serve receive continues to be a struggle for us," Stuart said.

St. Charles mixed things up well in Game 3. Caroline Niski, Meghan Niski, Seidel and Haley Streich all had kills, and the Saints dropped in 5 tip kills over Waubonsie Valley blockers. Tip kills by Streich and Meghan Niski snapped a 9-9 tie and St. Charles East led the rest of the way. Seidel thwarted a late Waubonsie Valley rally with a block and yet another tip kill.

"We had to keep them off-balance," Homann said. "We saw that the tip was working. They were always expecting us to go hard."

"One of the things our setter does a nice job of is spreading the offense and finding the open hitter," Saints coach Jennie Kull said of the Syracuse-bound Homann.

Streich had 16 kills, Seidel 12, Caroline Niski 9 and Meghan Niski 6 for St. Charles East (18-1, 5-0 Upstate Eight Conference). Homann had 39 assists and Maisey Mulvey 14 digs.

"We weren't focused a bit at the start of the match," Kull said, "but the girls turned it around and made the needed adjustments. You have to give credit to Waubonsie for coming out like they did."

Jenna Hotwagner had 30 assists and Chrissy Piha 13 digs for Waubonsie Valley (12-8, 2-3).

"We came out strong," Stuart said, "but you have to learn how to hold leads."

Neuqua Valley d. Bartlett: Nikki Federico and Rachel Quackenbush each had 9 kills and Quackenbush added 10 digs, as the Wildcats (13-5, 5-0 Upstate Eight) stayed unbeaten in conference with a 25-20, 25-15 win over Bartlett (12-5-1, 4-2).

Glenbard South d. Sycamore: Kim Schwerdtmann had 11 kills, Darah Preston 10 kills and Amanda Straka 12 digs, as the Raiders (11-7, 6-1 Western Sun) rallied past Sycamore 15-25, 26-24, 26-24 for their sixth straight conference win.

Naperville Central d. Glenbard North: Emily McGee had 9 kills and 5 digs, Jill Fields 7 digs and Kelsey Hoey for the Redhawks 16-2, 6-1 DuPage Valley) in a 25-12, 25-9 win. Nicolette Rini had 4 kills for Glenbard North (4-14, 0-8).

Glenbard East d. Wheaton North: Amanda Peterson did it all for the Rams (12-6, 5-2 DVC) with 9 kills, 5 blocks, 11 assists and 7 digs in a 25-21, 25-19 win. Liz Gulick had 6 kills for Wheaton North (5-13, 3-5).

Benet d. Nazareth: The No. 1 Redwings (19-0) rolled to an easy 25-10, 25-9 win.

Hinsdale Central d. Downers Grove North: Amanda Freyn had 11 kills, Allison Davis 8 kills and 3 blocks and Lindsay Homme 6 kills and 4 blocks, as the Red Devils (13-6, 3-1 West Suburban Silver) rallied past the Trojans 15-25, 25-17, 25-18 for their fifth straight win.

York d. Lyons Township: The Dukes picked up a big 25-19, 25-21 West Suburban Silver conference win.

Willowbrook d. Hinsdale South: Josie Hopkins pounded home 17 kills and Caitlin Hopkins added 7 kills, as Willowbrook (12-11, 2-1 West Suburban Gold) rallied for a hard-fought 26-28, 25-19, 25-22 conference win.

Addison Trail d. Morton: Joanna Terry and Tori Boyd each had 6 kills for the Blazers (5-12, 2-1 West Suburban Gold) in a 25-17, 25-16 win over Morton.

Wheaton Academy d. Westminster Christian: Kristine Egebrecht had 6 kills and 3 blocks for the Warriors (8-10, 4-0 Private School League) in a 25-7, 25-10 win.

Chicago Christian d. Timothy Christian: Anneke Stremler had 7 kills and Elise Biesboer 3 aces for the Trojans (5-12, 2-2 Private School League), who fell to Chicago Christian 25-15, 25-22.