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Girls volleyball: Downers North sweeps Lyons

Downers Grove North senior libero Madi Cuchran continues getting more than her share of volleyball action.

Like many players this season, the Michigan recruit is simultaneously playing for her high school and club team.

"It's been fun. I feel like it's kept me on my toes and it's made me improve more, playing and playing and playing," Cuchran said. "I love the game, so I want to play it as much as I can."

Cuchran and the Trojans kept on coming Tuesday and rallied in both sets to clinch a share of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title with a 25-22, 25-23 victory at defending champion Lyons Township in La Grange.

Downers North (8-1, 4-1 in Silver), which overcame deficits of 21-16 in the first set and 20-17 in the second, will capture its third outright Silver title in four seasons with a win at seventh-place Proviso West Thursday.

Cuchran and junior outside hitter Gwen Wolkow were part of the 2018 Silver championship team.

"It's awesome. Winning obviously is always fun, especially with these girls," Cuchran said. "During the game, no one got super frazzled or anything. We all stay composed. I think that helped, not getting scared we were down so much. By staying composed, staying together, we came back."

Cuchran (14 digs) and Wolkow (10 kills, seven digs, three blocks) were joined by juniors Sandy Brindl (23 assists), Grace Beacom (five kills) and Isabella Samsa (four kills) and seniors Jacki Lucas (six kills, five digs, six service points) and Elisse Martin (five kills).

Leading the Lions (7-2, 3-2) were sophomore Kamryn Lee-Caracci (eight kills), juniors Tia Kostic (five kills, three blocks) and Adriana Vassek (six digs), freshman Abby Markworth (20 assists, six digs) and seniors Lydia Vulich (seven service points, nine digs), Molly Corrough (five digs) and Mary Murray (four kills).

Especially after the 2019 Trojans reached the Class 4A sectional final, having no postseason this spring increases the significance of this conference championship. Beating the Lions on their home floor - and the way they rallied - impressed Downers North coach Mark Wasik.

"To kind of come back and hold our serves and get multiple points in a row and kind of squeak one out in the end was big because that's a really good team, and they're a young team," Wasik said.

"I wasn't composed. They were composed. Our mantra is play like it's 0-0 all of the time. They were not impacted by the score and they believe in themselves to get it done."

After her kill off service receive, Lucas served match point, which Wolkow put away with a kill of an errant serve-reception pass.

"I think especially this year, winning is more exciting because, even with COVID, all of the restrictions, we're just pushing ourselves harder," Lucas said. "I'm really excited that I was able to experience this with these girls. I'm glad that I can be a part of at least some history at North."

Another starting senior, back-row standout Sophie Rodriguez, was sidelined for the match.

"We kind of dedicated this to her because she's been a huge part of the team," Wasik said. "I know how devastated she is. Thankfully she'll be back in time for our last match (April 22)."

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