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Girls volleyball: Skowronski leads Naperville Central past Metea Valley

Naperville Central senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Skowronski stood out for her play on the court on Tuesday night.

After a dominating performance led to an early exit, Skowronski also stood out for her massive leap on the bench.

Skowronski registered a match-high 10 kills to lead the Redhawks to a dominating 25-14, 25-6 victory over Metea Valley in DuPage Valley Conference girls volleyball action.

Skowronski, a Milliken recruit, left the match with the Redhawks holding a 20-4 lead in the second game. A few minutes later, when junior teammate Kenzie Brower delivered a highlight-reel kill, Skowronski leapt from her second row seat to celebrate the point.

"We just wanted to have fun, just coming back in from spring break," Skowronski said. "We wanted to keep the energy up and getting back to where we were. We're taking every away game as a challenge. This is a very hot gym, so I think we took to the challenge perfectly."

The Redhawks (5-1, 4-1) wrapped up the delayed match in quick fashion, seizing control of the momentum behind a barrage of errors by the Mustangs (1-5, 1-4).

Giorgia Cavalleri, a Long Island recruit, tallied 7 kills and 2 digs, and Brower added 3 kills and 1 block.

The 5-foot-9 Skowronski took over the match late in the first game. She netted 3 kills in a key segment midway through the second game that gave the Redhawks a big cushion.

"This is the first time for Kaitlyn that she's played in her actual position on the varsity," Naperville Central coach Brie Isaacson said. "She came up with us as a sophomore and was a role player. She played almost every position, from setter to middle but she was the ultimate team player. Last year she played right-side because of the kids we had. She does a great job and is a great competitor."

Skowronski said the Redhawks, who finished with a 28-9 record in 2019, are motivated to finish the season on a high note. Naperville Central, which lost to Naperville North, has won its last two matches, both in two games.

"I think we came out stronger and we were ready," she said. "Defensively and attacking, we came out stronger and played with more shots. For me, getting to play outside is amazing. I'm just taking it every day trying to get better. We just want to have fun. These last seven games, I'm going to give it all I've got."

Metea Valley (1-5, 1-4) was led by senior outside hitter Samantha Rueda (5 kills, 5 digs) and Savannah Tan (9 digs).

Metea Valley coach Dave MacDonald said his players struggled in their first match after spring break.

"They were just on and we had a game plan and stuck to it, but our serve-receive was awful tonight," he said. "Some of the girls were rusty ... We will get prepared and improve."

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