Naperville C. fights back

Naperville Central had to go overtime Tuesday at Downers Grove North to win its first volleyball match of the season, but it was worth the wait.

"It definitely feels good," 5-foot-7 outside hitter Samantha Herron said. "The first set we were just there. We weren't really pushing ourselves. We dug ourselves a hole that first game and we really couldn't come back.

"But once we started fighting … it was mainly on our side at first. Our mistakes. We weren't putting it down. Then all of a sudden we got into that pass, that set, that kill. It was really our teamwork. We finally found that flow. We were working as a team, not as individuals."

Herron had 10 kills, Andrea Davenport added 15 assists and 2 aces, and 5-7 sophomore Sarah Schank had 5 kills and an ace as Naperville Central (1-2) rallied for a 14-25, 26-24, 25-22 victory over the host Trojans.

After struggling in Game 1, Naperville Central seized a 12-6 lead in the second set and held on despite allowing Downers North to tie the set at 24-24. Camryn Murphy and 5-6 sophomore middle hitter Maddie Goblet went back-to-back with kills to even the match at a set apiece.

"We were just out of rhythm (in the first set)," Naperville Central coach Jeff Danborn said. "Then our passing got hot. Even in the third set when they were going on runs of points and we were having trouble terminating the ball, our pass was fantastic.

"We came out more focused in the second set," he added. "It started at the service line. We were more aggressive. We made them set the ball from the 10-foot line and we just clamped down defensively. We took that momentum into the third set and we were able to open it up."

Danborn relies heavily on three sophomores, including setter Brenna Hess, middle hitter Olivia Richter and Goblet. The 5-6 Goblet did not look at all intimidated against the taller Trojans, helping the cause with 4 kills and an ace. Her final kill gave the Redhawks a 23-19 lead in Game 3.

"You don't know if you're ever going to be good enough to get up there," said Goblet, who was a freshman "A" player last year. "But then once you get up in the front row, you realize you can do it. You just got to try your best. Keep jumping and you'll succeed."