Rosary overcomes wave of purple, Immaculate Conception
Julie D'Agostino's voice exudes enthusiasm for Immaculate Conception volleyball.
Her words aren't all that inspire the Knights.
D'Agostino, a senior and volleyball public announcer at Immaculate Conception, is the inspiration behind "Pack the Stands with Purple to Fight Cystic Fibrosis Night" in Elmhurst. The Knights raised more than $3,000 last year and hoped to come close to $5,000 Wednesday night in the second year of the event.
On the court Rosary beat IC 25-20, 25-20. It seemed like a subplot to the main focus of the night, seen in the wave of purple throughout the stands and on the IC side.
D'Agostino dressed the part, decked out in a purple T-shirt and tights with a purple ribbon in her hair. D'Agostino, diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, played volleyball at IC as a freshman and sophomore.
"It's absolutely amazing," said the bubbly D'Agostino, who now does the PA work and is team manager in addition to her work in the school play. "It means so much for the whole school to come out and support the fight against Cystic Fibrosis."
IC sold 1,000 bracelets that read "Knights versus Cystic Fibrosis," with additional funds brought in through a split the spot and a silent auction. All funds go toward the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
"We did a Volley for the Cure, and a lot of people are affected by breast cancer," IC coach Jean Field said, "but Julie is so near and dear to our hearts that we wanted to do something to help with what she's dealing with. If you can't help your own, who can you help?"
Both games were tied 15-15 at one point before Rosary (13-4) took control of both. After 10 ties and seven lead changes in Game 1, an 8-1 Royals run gave Rosary a 22-16 lead. Royals sophomore Brianna Flagg, who had a match-high 10 kills, put down 3 during the crucial stretch.
Rosary is in the midst of a tough stretch that started last weekend, when it took second at the Wheaton Classic, and continues this weekend at the Waubonsie Valley Invite.
"When we got down, we just needed to stay calm and we were able to take control of the game," Flagg said. "We played well. We still have a lot of work to do, but our progress is definitely good."
In the second game a kill by setter Lindsay Juriga touched off an 8-2 Royals run. Another Juriga kill and a Juriga ace gave Rosary a commanding 22-17 lead.
Juriga had 6 kills and Kate Stefanski and Mia Wegman 5. Maintaining a balanced attack was a point of emphasis for the Royals after Monday's loss to St. Francis.
"We did a much better job of getting all our hitters involved, especially our middles," Rosary coach Lisa Kasper said. "We can still get our middles a little more involved, but I was happy. We were a little sluggish tonight. It's been a long week and a half."
Katelyn Conenna had 5 kills, Colleen Manion 4 kills and Judy Morris 10 digs for IC (11-7). Kim Martino added 8 assists and Liz Martino 7 assists.
"We have a young team and you have that inexperience," Field said, "so you have those flashes of brilliance - and then you have those other moments. That's one of the things we're trying to work on this year is playing every game at the same level."