D-C's seniors go out winners

Amanda Lutzow couldn't help being overly excited Thursday evening.

The four-year varsity starter for the Dundee-Crown girls volleyball team was playing her final home match of her career and it just happened to be against the Chargers' biggest rival -- Jacobs.

Lutzow pounded down a match-high 12 kills and added 10 digs as D-C swept the season series against Jacobs with a 25-20, 25-15 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division victory.

"With them being our rival it just brings 10 times the energy to the game," Lutzow said. "It's a great feeling."

The week has been a successful one for Lutzow and the Chargers (23-7, 6-4). Lutzow became D-C's all-time kills leader in Tuesday's victory over Woodstock. The 23 victories ties a school record set last season. The Chargers have a chance to break the record today or Saturday when they compete in the Lake Park Invitational.

D-C coach Tracy Williams could not recall the last time the Chargers swept the Golden Eagles (13-17, 2-8) in a season.

"We accomplished meeting (the wins record) tonight so that's really good for our program," Williams said. "Hopefully we can set a new record this weekend. That would be nice."

D-C's defense was a key to the victory as three players made at least 10 digs. Kathleen Collingbourne, also a four-year varsity starter, finished with 20. Junior Stephaine Thorson had 14 to go along with 6 kills and 3 aces. Thorson's back-to-back aces finished off the Game 1 win.

"(Our defense) has been picking up the last couple of games," Lutzow said. "We're relying a lot more on our defense and we've done a good job."

Game 2 was tied 8-8 before the Chargers went on an 11-1 run to take control. An Alexandra Thompson kill ended the match.

Jacobs never got into a rhythm with its offense. Lauren Piggato and Klaudia Velazquez each had a team-high 4 kills.

"We had a hard time getting our offense together," Golden Eagles coach Lisa Dwyer said. "It wasn't our night hitting. I can't put my finger on it."