LZ gets it going, stops Wheeling
The Wheeling volleyball team struggled early Thursday in its 25-23, 25-12 regional quarterfinal victory over Round Lake.
A little more than an hour later it was Lake Zurich that began a match sluggishly. Wheeling gave Lake Zurich a scare early, but the Bears still emerged with a 25-22 victory in the opening game. Lake Zurich, the home team and the No. 1 seed, dominated the second game 25-8.
Lake Zurich (30-6) will play host to Stevenson at 2 p.m. Saturday in the regional final. Stevenson defeated Glenbrook North in two games.
"We have a tendency to start off slow," Bears coach Matt Aiello said. "It was a good wake-up call."
Added senior Jenn Grunden: "Everyone had the jitters and we got them out in the first game."
The Bears made a statement in the second game. They finished the match on a 20-4 run.
"Our blocking was key and our defense pulled through," Grunden said.
In the first game, Wheeling's defense kept points alive and never gave Lake Zurich an easy point.
"We passed the ball, which gave us offensive opportunities," Wildcats coach Jason Kopkowski said. "One skill determines a lot."
Wheeling, the No. 15 seed, cut Lake Zurich's lead in the first game to 23-22 on a kill by sophomore middle blocker Kellie Kuzmanic. Even at that point, Aiello said he did not consider calling a timeout.
"They knew what to do," he said about his team.
The Wildcats finished the season with an 11-26 mark.
Lake Zurich's Brittany Murawski had a team-high 11 kills. Grunden and Amanda Orchard each contributed 4 kills. Audrey Bauer had 4 blocks.
Lake Zurich defeated Stevenson in conference play this season.
"They're young and very athletic," Aiello said. "I had a feeling we would see them again."