Girls volleyball: Lake Zurich takes care of Lake Forest
It's a fair question. Could Lake Zurich senior, Claudia Kieda, play college volleyball? She's tall enough and can put the ball away.
No, she's going to college for academics somewhere down South.
Lake Zurich and Lake Forest met for the first time on Wednesday night. And there was no momentum from either side. Kieda launched an ace from the serving line and the first set was tied at 14-14.
Kieda (13 kills) closed the first set with 2 kills.
And then it was Elena Kraversky's turn to serve in the second set. An ace and another Kieda kill and the Bears were off and flying.
Lake Zurich's defense was good all night. The Bears prevailed 25-19, 25-17.
"We just kept the momentum going,'' Kraversky said.
"Our defense was intimidating tonight,'' observed Lake Zurich coach Rachel Wiatrowski. "We just want to focus on getting better every match."
Lake Zurich surged behind Kraversky's serving in set two. This senior headed to Tulane University notched 17 digs in the two sets.
If there were some problems for the home team it came with three straight serves into the net. Still the Scouts could only close to within 18-14.
"We are really putting it all together,'' Kiada added. "We really have a spirit of winning."
Again in that first set, it seemed like no team was going to take the lead.
This time with Riley O'Sullivan at the serving line, a few errors by the Scouts and kills from Leah Salit and Jocelyn Leng opened up some breathing room at 20-15.
"I just love this team,'' Kraversky continued. "We really show our passion out there."
After a great volley by both clubs, Rory O' Sullivan closed the point with a kill.
Kelly Bush (7 assists) and Salit (8 assists) split the setting duties in this win.
Lake Forest was led by Alyssa Thrash and Ellie Pearson.
After the Scouts pulled within 18-14 in set two, server Salit got the ball to the opponent and used kills from Kiada and Riley O'Sullivan. The lead was extended to 21-15.
Riley O'Sullivan closed the match with an serving ace.