Quick start fuels Rockets to regional title

Getting off to good start in a volleyball match can do several things for a team.

It can make an opponent press to try to get back into the match when you grab the early momentum. But maybe most importantly in a postseason match, you can calm down.

Burlington Central jumped out to a 7-2 lead, thanks to 6 kills from Stephanie Holthus, and rode the momentum to a 25-13, 25-22 victory in the Class 3A Sycamore regional final.

"For any team to get that confidence going, it allows them to play relaxed," Central coach Marv Leavitt said. "Whenever your down you tend to play a little tighter."

The second-seeded Rockets (31-6), who lost to Sycamore in the regional finals last season, advance to play unbeaten LaSalle-Peru at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Sterling sectional semifinals.

Holthus got Central out to the early lead by smacking down kills on the first 3 points. The junior had 6 kills in the first 9 points of the game, giving the Rockets a 7-2 lead and forcing Sycamore to call an early timeout.

The Spartans (28-8), who went on to finish third at state last year, got within three, 11-8, before Central went on a 7-0 run to take control. A Megan Zasada ace gave the Rockets the Game 1 win.

"Those first couple points in a match, whoever has the momentum can stay with it," Central senior Molly Turk said. "It was nice to secure that and hold on to it. It definitely made it a lot easier than having to go back and forth the whole game."

Sycamore earned its first lead of the match at 12-11 of Game 2 and led 15-13 after Central service error. A Taylor Scully kill got the Rockets within one and sent Audrey Djukic behind the service line. Djukic's ace tied the game. The sophomore had two more aces as Central went on another 7-0 run to take a 20-15 lead.

Sycamore's Samantha Thrower's kill saved the first match point, but that was only one of the state's best player's fourth kill of the match.

Holthus took care of the Rockets' second match point opportunity with her match-high 16th kill as Central got a little revenge for last season's regional title match.

"I was thinking about our seniors last year and they weren't able to get a second chance like we were," Holthus said. "So the fact that we came out and beat them really meant a lot to us."

Turk had 18 assists, 7 digs and 4 kills for the Rockets. Scully added 4 kills and 7 digs.

Thrower, Stephanie Huber and Kate Binder each had 4 kills for Sycamore.