Girls volleyball: Quick start sends Geneva past St. Charles East
Geneva senior setter Anna Loberg is approaching the six-week spring volleyball season with an extra sense of urgency.
"It's definitely going to be a fast season so we need to come out strong," Loberg said following a 25-11, 26-24 DuKane Conference win at St. Charles East Thursday night.
"We've been working hard at practice and it's showing how we are playing in the games. We know it's a short season so every game matters. I think we're doing a really good job."
Geneva (4-1, 3-1) certainly got off to a fast start against the Saints (3-1, 2-1). Loberg led the way, setting 13 assists and adding 5 digs and 3 aces.
She's one of three returning senior starters with Devynn Day and Leah Davine who are working well with either players taking on bigger roles or newcomers. That group includes junior Madilyn Danielson (9 kills), sophomore Lauren Benson (5 kills) and senior Becca Ford (10 digs).
"We came out really strong," Loberg said. "Everybody played their part well. The block had great touches, it made the job in the back row easier. It's definitely a different team from last year but I think everyone who came in new has stepped up and played their game well. I think we are already together and playing well."
Saints coach Jennie Kull called an early timeout down 9-3 after a pair of blocks from Devine, two kills by Day and aces from Loberg and Raegan Lubben.
Geneva just kept rolling after the timeout, Lubben serving four more points to make it 13-3.
Vikings coach Anne Seitelman liked the strong start, a contrast to earlier matches when Geneva has fallen behind and had to rally back late.
That's exactly what happened in the second set Thursday. The Saints led almost the whole way including 19-16. That's when Loberg started the comeback getting a set from Ford and putting down a kill.
Geneva took its first lead at 21-20 and had two match points up 24-22 only to see the Saints score two straight. But Loberg set Danielson for a kill and a 25-24 lead, then Benson blasted a serve that hit the top of the net and trickled over, falling in for an ace and a Geneva win.
"That second set is a little of what we have tended to do, dig ourselves a little hole and fight back," said Seitelman, who credited the Saints for serving more aggressive in the second set.
Day added 7 digs and 5 kills for the Vikings while Seitelman praised Kieran McCarthy, normally a middle, for moving to and playing well on the right side.
Kate Goudreau had 5 kills for the Saints.
"Geneva played well but that was by far the worst we've played this season," Kull said. "We have had so many kids gone, this has been such a weird thing, it's hard to figure out how to mentally prepare them. We just haven't had enough time. We've got to work on how they are preparing for a match. Definitely need to make some adjustments with that."