West Aurora downs Wheaton North in 2
With the West Aurora band rocking, the stands packed and the Blackhawks cruising to an easy win, the atmosphere for volleyball Thursday night didn't feel all that much different from one of Gordie Kerkman's basketball team's many wins.
A young and talented West Aurora squad continued its climb toward the upper echelon of the DuPage Valley Conference, sweeping short-handed Wheaton North 25-19, 25-10 on Volley for the Cure night.
OK, it wasn't the same sized crowd as when the basketball team packs both sides of West Aurora's fabled gym, but it still a special night for a Blackhawk (18-8, 7-3) program on the rise.
“Bigger crowd than usual and we kind of used that to our advantage and took the momentum, West Aurora sophomore Lauren Carlini said. “This is a big event. It was really exciting having everyone here.
Carlini, already committed to Wisconsin, is one of three sophomores who along with two juniors are key players for coach Kari Nicholson's team.
“We're just kind of rocking and rolling right now, Carlini said. “We are kind of just pushing through right now. It's a really good building block to have people playing on varsity. We are kind of building our future here and I think it is looking really good.
Nicholson calls her core group of seniors “great motivators. All three classes contributed to West Aurora's latest win Thursday.
The Falcons (8-12, 3-7), playing without setter Katie Thornton (knee), held an early 9-5 lead in Game 1. The Blackhawks caught them at 10-10 when senior Jaclyn Hannon set Carlini in the middle.
Tied a final time at 14-14, West Aurora went ahead to stay on another Hannon assist to Lauren Wilson. Wilson, a junior middle, closed Game 1 with a stuff block.
“We weren't doing things the way we normally do it, Nicholson said. “Just a little tighter and slower to the ball than we usually are. We came back and refocused in the second game. Our block was good, serve was good and we put the ball down when we needed to.
Wilson served six straight points early in Game 2 for an 8-1 West Aurora lead. Carlini and fellow sophomore Payton McKenzie put away balls during the run, and the Blackhawks led comfortably the rest of the way.
“The first game we were there but missed timings, said Wheaton North coach Carole Kristensen. “It's (playing without Thornton) a huge difference. Lauren (Peters) is a very good setter but you are putting in a whole new system and we haven't adjusted to it. And they (West Aurora) played phenomenal.
Kelsey Ullrich led the Falcons with 5 kills, 5 digs and 2 aces. Laura Drabant added 2 kills and 8 digs and Peters finished with 10 assists.
Kelsey Richmond, Wilson, Katie Ruhl and Carlini all recorded at least 4 kills for the balanced Blackhawks. Hannon served 3 of the team's 6 aces to send all the West Aurora fans in pink home happy.
“This is a very fun event, Nicholson said. “We are excited to be part of it, host it and have Wheaton North here.