Three's key for Stevenson in win over Antioch

Former Chicago Cub Ernie Banks would love the Stevenson girls volleyball team.

All the Patriots seem to do is play two. Through 15 matches this season, the Patriots won or lost every match in two games.

Until Wednesday, that is.

After dropping the first game 26-24 to visiting Antioch, the Patriots rallied in Games 2 and 3 for a decisive 24-26, 25-12, 25-16 victory in a North Suburban Conference crossover.

"To win in three games is our big turning point," junior Carlee Berland said.

Berland certainly did her part with a match-high 10 kills. She also had 3 blocks. Stevenson's solid passing gave senior setter Maggie Lundstrom a wealth of options.

"Maggie was able to get it inside to Carlee a number of times and she was able to put the ball away," Stevenson coach Tim Crow said.

When the Patriots (9-7) walked back on the court for the second game, they played like a different team. So did Antioch (11-7).

"We played relaxed and had fun in the first game," Sequoits coach Glen Heitman said. "In the second game they served us off the court and we gave them a lot of free balls. We started hanging our heads after mistakes."

Stevenson senior Amber Hughes (3) and freshman Rachel Baader (3) had 6 of the Patriots' 11 aces. During one of Baader's service runs, the Stevenson students began chanting "she's a freshman."

"Rachel has a nice jump float that she keeps low over the net," Crow said. "She serves the seams well and makes it hard for passers to make a good clean play on the ball."

Once the Patriots' serving took off, the rest of their play followed.

"Volleyball is a game of momentum," Lundstrom said. "When you serve for a long time and win points back to back it picks up your energy."

Antioch received a great individual performance from senior Erica Lubkeman (8 kills, 15 digs).

"She's the true definition of a captain," Heitman said.

Sophomore Brianna Grant had 8 kills and contributed 2 blocks. Senior Lauren Grant had 5 kills and 10 digs.

This continued a trend for Antioch of failing to build on winning the opening game.

"Sometimes our attitude goes down in the second and third game," Lubkeman said. "We don't do as well. Our practices have been really strong, and I think we could win just about every game if we get our head in the right place."

Berland led Stevenson's attack, but the Patriots also had solid performances from Baader (5 kills) and junior Kierstyn Hansen (4 kills). Hughes and Baader had 12 and 8 kills, respectively.

Stevenson's young talent is improving rapidly and the Patriots will only get better as the season moves along.

"We've faced some of the best competition since I've been coaching," Crow said. "We've played all those tough teams fairly well, but we can't just pat ourselves on the back for playing with them. We've got to get over the hump and beat those teams."

Stevenson's performance Wednesday was certainly a good step in that direction.