Team effort powers Lake Zurich
In most matches, Vernon Hills junior libero Amy Choi can concentrate most of her attention on the opposing team's best hitter.
Not so against Lake Zurich.
"They're all tall and they can hit the ball hard," she said.
After falling behind 2-0 in the opening game, visiting Lake Zurich dominated and rolled to a 25-10, 25-12 victory.
"With some teams, you can focus on a go-to player," Vernon Hills coach Abbie Gutzmer said. "They have six of them."
While Lake Zurich outside hitters Jenn Grunden and Amber Miehlke receive a lot of attention, the Bears rely quite a bit on junior middle blockers Audrey Bauer and Brittany Murawski.
"They're doing some great things," coach Matt Aiello said. "They let us run a balanced offense."
Murawski also displayed her game away from the net. She served 3 aces and played well in her one defensive rotation.
"I feel like I can contribute more when I serve," she said. "I like (playing defense) and diving around on the floor."
This was the 14th consecutive victory for Lake Zurich 18-2. The only negative from the match was that Grunden sustained an injury to her right ankle. The Bears are idle for the next nine days and X-rays showed no bone or ligament damage.
Miehlke led Lake Zurich's attack with 7 kills.
"We were trying to stop her, but she was on fire," Choi said.
Grunden had 4 kills, while senior Lydia Bauer and Murawski each had 3 kills.
Freshman Amanda Orchard made an athletic play in the first game when she angled a kill inside the referee stand.
"She's just an athlete," Aiello said. "She knows how to compete."
Senior Jamie Rucks' 3 kills paced Vernon Hills (12-7-1). Choi had a team-high 8 digs.
"They took us out of our game," Gutzmer said. "We couldn't set up our offense because we were chasing to keep the ball alive."
Vernon Hills returns to action Saturday at the Lake Forest Invitational. The Cougars reached the championship match last year.
"This was a small setback, but I feel good," Gutzmer said. "We'll get focused for Saturday."