Batavia's balance too much for Streamwood
Kristen Koncelik started Batavia's 25-5, 25-17 victory over Streamwood Tuesday night with 3 kills during the first 4 points. Ellen Jaudon ended the match with a kill on the final point.
And in-between? Every Bulldog got their chance to contribute to a team victory on a feel-good night that featured Batavia hosting its first Volley for the Cure.
"It was a great team win, great to have everyone out on the court. They all did their job," said Blaire Theuerkauf, one of only three seniors on Batavia's roster.
The win keeps Batavia (16-3, 3-0) in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division lead with matches remaining against Geneva, Elgin and Larkin.
"The team has done a great job and really stepped up and everyone has played a great part," said Theuerkauf, who likes being one of veterans.
"It's great to have the younger kids on the team, they play great. I have watched many of them grow up during the season and through the years. It's great to have them on the court with us and have so much enthusiasm and love for the game."
After a Sabres (3-16, 1-2) hitting error on the first point, Batavia ran three straight perfect plays to Koncelik in the middle, each assisted by Mary Kate Bryant.
"We are trying to work with some things with timing and she got it going right away," Batavia coach Lori Trippi-Payne said.
Koncelik's early power burst ignited an 11-0 start behind Stephanie Kinane serves. Maria Ranahan ended the run by pushing a ball for a kill.
Three of the five points Streamwood won in Game 1 came on quick tips. Batavia senior Caitlin Piechota served 2 aces, Koncelik added 3 more kills and Kaytlin St. Clair ended the game with a block.
"The first game we looked timid out there," Streamwood coach Lisa Vazzana said. "They may have heard or looked at their (Batavia's) record, it kind of intimidates them a little. That may have been part of it in the first game but the second game they played smarter and started to bring it. It was a big improvement definitely."
Batavia never trailed in Game 2, opening up a 10-2 lead on a pair of Koncelik aces and Bryant's kill.
Streamwood played the Bulldogs even the rest of the way. On one of the better points, Ranahan finally watched her spike drop to the floor after a long rally that included a diving save from Jaudon.
Elizabeth Simonelli's ace brought the Sabres within 24-17 before Jaudon's kill ended the match.
Simonelli's 8 digs led both teams. Stephanie Kinane had 7 digs for a balanced Batavia attack that included Bryant's 12 assists, Koncelik's 8 kills and 3 aces and 4 kills each by Mary Nilles and Theuerkauf.
"I think they figured what they were up against," Vazzana said of Game 2. "They did a better job moving around the court and finding holes. They served a lot more aggressively and passed better.
Trippi-Payne credited assistant Laura Banks with all the work to make Volley for Cure a success.
The Bulldogs' busy week continues Wednesday when they host Sycamore for their homecoming match. Batavia will honor the 2005 conference and regional champions, a team that includes current Bulldogs freshman coach Emily Dittoe.