Batavia sweeps Glenbard South
Batavia volleyball coach Lori Trippi-Payne is in her 23rd season with the Bulldogs, and she knows just about every trick a coach can use.
Glenbard South coach Sherry Hudson certainly has seen a few, and she knew with her Raiders coming to Batavia Tuesday their young lineup - just 1 senior on the roster and 3 freshmen - would be put to the test.
"I knew this was going to be a really strong effort from her team, they are always very motivated and scrappy and play hard for her," Hudson said. "She gets a ton out of her kids. And I know she was going to pick on our freshmen. If I were on the other side of the net I'd do the same thing."
Batavia (5-4, 2-1) took the Raiders (3-6, 0-3) in two games, 25-12, 25-20. The Bulldogs did take advantage of the youth, and also capitalized on the Raiders missing their two middle hitters, including 6-foot-4 Nevena Markovic (tendinitis, hopes to return next week).
Trippi-Payne also has a lot of new faces this year, with freshman Kristen Koncelik and sophomores Mary Nilles, Mary Kate Bryant and Stephanie Kinane all playing key roles.
"All of our kids are coming along," Trippi-Payne said. "Everyone on our team is working hard. We have a lot of challenges every day in practice. Decisions (on the lineup) get tough sometimes. We have a big mix on our team this year."
Batavia put the pressure on Glenbard South early behind strong serving from Caitlin Piechota and Nilles. Kills by Brant, Piechota and Kelsey VandenBorn staked the Bulldogs to an 8-2 lead and forced Glenbard South's first timeout.
The Raiders proceeded to commit hitting errors on the next two points. Early on, about the only way Glenbard South scored was on Batavia missed serves, which accounted for 3 of its first 5 points, and left the Raiders trailing 16-5.
"I don't even want to talk about the first game because we ended on a positive," Hudson said. "We showed more of our true colors in the second game."
One of her freshman, Jane Trzaska, provided a highlight with 2 aces in Game 1, which Batavia closed on Bryant's cross-court kill on a set from Nilles.
Glenbard South played much better in the second game, yet still trailed throughout. Trzaska, who finished with 7 kills and 9 digs, and Bridget Anderson (8 kills) provided much of the attack.
Batavia countered with Piechota, who totaled 8 of her game-high 11 kills in Game 2, including one on match point off Katie Rueffer's assist.
"Our team was passing really well and the sets were right where they needed to be so I took advantage of that," Piechota said. "We definitely have some new faces and the team is very strong this year. We should have a really good season."
Nilles and Rueffer both had 11 assists in Batavia's new 6-2 offense, a change from last year when Rueffer set their 5-1. VandenBorn was second to Piechota with 7 kills, while Kinane and Rueffer led in digs with 5 and 4, respectively. Ashlee Colby served 2 aces.
Freshman Theresa Scheet led what Hudson called "our best game digging to date" with 14 digs.
"I'm excited about what my young kids are doing," Hudson said. "They accepted (Batavia's) challenge. In the second game it was so good to see determination and effort. I'm happy we are leaving with something to build on."