Girls volleyball: South Elgin claims title at Hampshire

South Elgin didn't have to wait long for revenge.

After losing to Woodstock 25-23, 25-11 in pool play earlier in the day, the Storm got their payback in the championship game of the Hampshire tournament Saturday defeating the Blue Streak 25-23, 25-15.

"We were certainly the underdogs coming into the championship game," said Angelina Negron, the lone starter back from last year. "We knew we had to play better. It was that simple. We were really pumped up to win the championship. We have good chemistry for such a young team."

Negron contributed 6 kills, 4 blocks and 3 aces for the Storm in the title game.

"We lost 9 of our top 10 players from last year," said South Elgin coach Joni Plach. "Angelina is our lone player back and she is our leader off and on the court. We are a young team and we are starting to jell. This is a good championship to win."

Freshman Alyssa Worden paced the Storm (18-6) with 9 kills and 5 blocks while Brooke Elders collected 6 kills. Margaret McGough led the defensive attack with 14 digs.

In Game 1, there were 8 lead changes before the Storm took the lead for good at 23-22 on a kill by Worden. South Elgin took a 1-0 lead in the match on a kill from Elders.

The Storm never trailed in Game 2. Holding a slim 16-13 lead, South Elgin seized control of the match with a 7-0 run taking a 23-13 advantage.

The Hampshire champions got 2 kills each from Negron, Elders and Worden and an ace from McGough during the pivotal surge.

A kill by Worden gave the Storm the game and the match.

In the semifinals, the Storm advanced to the championship with a hard-fought 25-23, 25-22 win over Burlington Central.

In Game 1, South Elgin had to rally past the pesky Rockets.

Central took a 13-8 lead on a kill by Kathryn Schmidt.

But the youthful Storm didn't panic and scored 5 points capped by a kill from Emma Hunter to tie the game at 13.

With the score tied at 23, an ace from McGough and kill by Negron gave South Elgin the first set.

Similar to the first game, the Storm had to mount a comeback in the second. On a kill by Mia Yarnell, the Rockets grabbed a 16-10 advantage.

The Storm methodically whittled away at the Rocket lead and took the lead for good 23-22 on a kill by Worden. A kill by Elders gave the Storm the match.

Negron paced the Storm with 16 kills, 4 blocks and 3 aces while Worden contributed 6 kills.

Schmidt paced the Rockets with 9 kills.