Volleyball: Lincoln-Way Central getting the job done
By Tony Baranek tbaranek@southtownstar.com September 10, 2012 8:24PM
Updated: October 12, 2012 6:13AM
The first battle of New Lenox in 2012 goes to ... Lincoln-Way Central.
The Knights, for the first time in the regular season since Kathy Sulkowski became coach in 2008, defeated Providence in a straight-set 25-22, 25-20 decision Thursday on the road.
There were many contributors, but at the forefront, 6-foot-3 senior Amanda Dolan stood tall with seven kills and six blocks.
“Amanda was stellar at the net, as usual,” Sulkowski said. “She was aggressive and had some key kills and blocks at crucial points.”
It’s early, but the Knights, save a 26-24 third-set loss in a thrilling battle against Normal, have been consistent — and thorough — in dispatching some tough customers.
“I think our girls are becoming more confident in how they approach big matches like Providence,” Sulkowski said. “Although we gave up a few runs of points early in each set, the girls kept plugging away and never gave up.
“(Setter) Kaitlyn Siadek is really stepping up and getting better every match. She really does a nice job setting the tone of the match and staying in control of the match no matter when momentum shifts.”
The Knights play Thursday at Lincoln-Way North, and have potential match-ups against Chicago Christian, Marian Catholic and Lincoln-Way Central at this week’s ASICS Preview at Mother McAuley.
Choices, choices ...
Shepard coach Dan Grunauer has two powerful hitters to put on the right side in Natalie Carberry and Stephanie Korbakes. So far this season he has gone with Korbakes, with Carberry starting matches as the first server.
In Tuesday’s 25-17, 25-23 victory over Oak Forest, 16 points were put on the board before Carberry saw her first action on the front line. She already had make contributions, landing two of her four aces.
“It’s a toss-up between Nat and Steph who is outkilling who, but Nat is definitely a more aggressive server than Steph,” Grunauer said. “That’s what it comes down to. Nat always starts the game off strong for us.”
Stretching out
Sandburg isn’t the only ranked team to have played very few matches during the first three weeks of the season.
“Yeah, we started Aug. 8 and our Stagg match (was) Sept. 10, and with one night (at the Lyons quad) we played three in a month. But we’ll play 21 in less than three weeks now,” coach David Vales said with a chuckle.
“It’s always tough. We get four nonconference matches and we use three of them on that one night. Other teams are using theirs up through the previous two weeks.”
Sandburg’s long active stretch continues Wednesday and Saturday at the Wheaton Warrenville South Invitational, plus a match Thursday at Thornton.
