Strong start for Libertyville
Libertyville’s girls volleyball team followed the strong defensive efforts of Rhiannon Prentiss and Kristen Webb to open the 2012 season with a 25-18, 25-11 win over Conant on Tuesday night.
Strong service runs from Webb and defensive specialist Vicky Liu (3 aces) opened both sets comfortably.
“For our first match, we played well but definitely have some things to tune up prior to our big matchup with Hersey Thursday,” Libertyville coach Greg Loika said.
Taylor Zant paced the Wildcats with 10 kills in what Loika called one of her best offensive performances of her career, Prentiss added 9 kills and 12 digs. Webb led the way with 23 digs, and Cindy Zhou had 18 assists on 58-of-58 setting and 13 digs. Sophomore middle Alex Basler chipped in 4 blocks.
Grant d. Waukegan: Grant won its season opener, winning its nonconference road match 25-18, 25-9.
Grant got a pair of kills from Brooke Buckley and Mallory Gizowski, while Jamie Reiser served 11 of 11 with 5 aces and set 21 of 21 with 10 assists. Taylor Rossi was 21-of-23 setting with 4 assists, and Gianna Gigliotti had 6 digs.
Lakes d. Zion-Benton: Emily Aigner hit 33 of 37 with 14 kills to lead the Eagles in their season-opening, 25-18, 15-21, 25-21 win.
Sarah Horner was 16-of-18 hitting with 10 kills, while Stephanie Reed lofted 29 assists on 59 attempts. Aigner also had 12 digs, and Shannon Grant and Alex Silvola had 9 and 8, respectively.
Richmond-Burton d. Antioch: The Sequoits dropped their season opener 25-10, 27-25, despite 4 kills apiece from Amanda Spera and Sam Falco.
Marissa Grant dished out 12 assists for Antioch.
Wauconda d. Mundelein: Susan Karhoff had 6 kills, 7 assists and 3 aces, as the Bulldogs prevailed 25-11, 8-25, 25-17 in their season-opening match.
Becky Sidlowski added 4 kills for Wauconda, Emily Holub served 4 aces and Ashley Anderson recorded 8 digs.
Mundelein (1-1) was led by Ashley Dolin with 5 kills and 5 blocks. Madi Wilcox added 3 kills, 3 aces and 10 assists, and Sarah Bregenzer delivered 4 aces and 3 kills.