Tigers take their lumps

Downers Grove South's motto this season is "finish." It's a rallying cry born out of a crushing three-game loss to Naperville Central in girls volleyball sectionals last fall.

The Mustangs practiced what they preach their first night out.

Downers Grove South shook off a scrappy Wheaton Warrenville South bunch in Game 2 for a 25-12, 25-23 win in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday in Wheaton.

"We practice being down. For us to finish the first game the way we did was great," Mustangs coach Colleen Reagan said. "(The Tigers) were playing lights out."

Downers Grove South trailed 15-10 in the second game but came back to tie it at 15-15 on a Marielle Oestermeyer kill. Six ties later, Kelsey Safranek threw down a kill to give the Mustangs a 24-23 lead, and they closed the match out moments later.

WW South, minus senior outside Dayana Rodriguez (shin splints), started just one player with any varsity experience but came back well in the second game after making 12 errors in the first.

"We're going to take our lumps in the beginning," Tigers coach Bill Schreier said. "As long as we keep improving, we can make inroads."

Downers Grove South never trailed in the first game, dominating at the net. Oestermeyer had 4 of her 6 kills in game one. Courtney and Katherine Gosewisch each added 2 kills in the game, Katherine's closing it out.

"I couldn't believe how we came out," Reagan said. "It is evident we have strong hitters. We work more on our defense than our offense."

Oestermeyer, setting back row this season after playing exclusively middle in years past, had 7 assists, 6 kills, 5 blocks and 2 aces. Colleen Dobry added 12 assists and Safranek 3 kills and 3 blocks.

"I took up setting because I wanted a challenge and to be on the floor more, and have more responsibilities," Oestermeyer said. "I beat myself up a lot. It's been hard. I'm still working on consistency. I work on defense a lot; I've never played it before."

For WW South Jessica Dattalo had 10 kigs, Katie Henning 5 kills and sophomore Amy Drabant 5 kills and 4 digs.

"She did well," Schreier said of Drabant, "and was aggressive. She took advantage of some opportunities."