St. Viator aces out Regina Dominican

Talk about jumping right into things - literally.

With his team off to a 3-1 lead over visiting Regina on Wednesday night in the Cahill Gymnasium, St. Viator girls volleyball coach Charlie Curtin entered freshman Carrie Leazer.

She proceeded right to the service line, and with her first contact of a volleyball on the varsity level, Leazer used a jump serve for a startling ace and 4-1 lead.

The Lions never looked back en route to a 25-13, 25-18 triumph at the Cahill Gymnasium in Arlington Heights.

The 5-foot-9 outside hitter, who had been playing on the junior varsity, was hardly through for the night.

Leazer ended with a match-high 9 kills and recorded 4 aces.

"Carrie was an awesome addition to our team," said Lions senior standout libero Ellie Meyer (13 digs, 5 aces), who has made a verbal commitment to play volleyball for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. "She is already so confident. It's so awesome to play with her because she has great court sense."

And it all makes sense. Her sister Emily, who wrapped up a stellar career at Augustana College last year, is Viator's all-time leader for kills (749).

"Obviously I was a little shaky," Carrie Leazer said. "But it was fun. I just worked to keep my mind on the game and stay focused. This was a great opportunity. Everyone has been so supportive."

Curtin called for a team meeting prior to the match.

"We had the captains (Meyer, Alyssa Forbes, Emily Hayes and Danielle Laterza) meet with the team and Carrie to make sure everyone was on the same page," Curtin said.

The Lions actually turned a page from the night before.

"It was a huge turn-around for the Prospect match (two-set loss in Mt Prospect)," Curtin said. "We played with energy and passion. We were ready to go.

"We always talk about giving 110 percent and the girls definitely did this match."

With Forbes (7 kills) blocking two overpasses and Gabi Thomas (2 kills) adding another block, the Lions (4-3) scooted out to a 14-2 lead in Set 1.

Back-to-back aces by Meyer made it 23-11 and moments later the Lions wrapped up the set on a kill by Thomas.

"We played real hard the night before," Meyer said. "Unfortunately we didn't get the win. So it was nice to get some confidence with this win and get ready for our match (today at Wheeling)."

St. Viator sophomore Michaela Mueller, who had a pair of setter kills, handed out 22 assists while going 53-of-53 on the floor.

Senior Audrey Nuelle added 3 kills and a block for the Lions while Hayes had a kill and a block.

Mueller also had 6 digs also served 3 of the Lions' 13 aces.

"St. Viator served tough and had some big hitters," said Bobby Hughes, who is in his ninth season directing the Panthers program. "They had played seven matches, we have had two (1-1).

"We are still working on our system and finding adjustments we have to make. we have all the pieces but are pushing to to work together."

Meanwhile, the Lions worked together with their new teammate.

"Carrie had no nerves," Curtin said of the promising freshman who attended St. Raymond in Mt. Prospect. "She was kind of earning her spot on the junior varsity and working her way up. She jumped right in with the varsity team."