Girls volleyball: Rosary advances to sectional finals
After playing a rugged schedule that included the likes of last year's Class 4A and 3A state champions, Benet Academy and St. Francis, the payoff time may be now for Rosary's girls volleyball team.
Led by a multipronged attack, the second-seeded Royals (24-14) gradually pulled away for a 25-17, 25-16 triumph over third-seeded Nazareth (25-13) in Tuesday night's Class 3A Glenbard South sectional semifinals in Glen Ellyn.
The teams traded points throughout the midway point of the opening game that featured 12 ties and 3 lead changes.
A powerful kill by 5-10 junior outside hitter Erin Burke (5 kills, 9 digs) snapped a 13-13 deadlock and the Royals never trailed the rest of the way.
"I think that's just the first game of sectionals," Rosary coach Rachel Fox said of her team's start. "We were here last year and we didn't make it past this match (losing to Marian Central). I think maybe we had a little bit of nerves and needed to play it out, getting comfortable and realizing that they're supposed to be here."
Burke and junior outside hitter Molly Curley had 3 kills apiece for the Royals in the first game while Maya Sullivan and Meegan Hart each added 2 kills.
"In the beginning, it was kind of a slow start," said Curley. "I think we finally got the momentum back and we started playing our game and picking up the pace. We started working the middle a lot which helped."
Rosary also enjoyed a huge advantage at the service line in the opener with aces from Kennedy Jenig and Julia Gauthier (21 assists) while Nazareth committed 6 service errors.
The Royals continued their momentum in the second game as an ace from junior libero Martha Konovodoff (7 digs) and 3 consecutive middle kills from Hart (6 kills) enabled them to grab an early 8-3 lead.
Curley provided 4 of her team-high 7 kills in the second game as the Royals advanced to Thursday's sectional championship match against Fenwick, which knocked off top-seeded Glenbard South 25-19, 28-16 in the first semifinal contest.
"We've really been working on spreading out the offense and trusting everyone," said Curley. "That has been a big part of our season this year."
Sophomore Kelsi Chambers paced the Roadrunners with 9 kills.
Despite absorbing some midseason bumps and bruises, the Royals still have an opportunity to claim their first sectional title in 37 years.
"We had a few losses that made us kind of not feel so good against Benet, Mother McAuley and St. Francis," said Fox. "As frustrating as it is, we played well. It showed us what we have to work on."
Now, the Royals will try to avenge an earlier loss against Fenwick.
"I think they're seeing a little bit different things from us," said Fox. "We're just excited to get to the gym and practice."