Girls Volleyball: Richards sweeps past Oak Forest
By Tony Baranek tbaranek@southtownstar.com September 18, 2012 11:12PM
Megan Albon, of Richards, spikes the ball against Oak Forest. | Gary Middendorf~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 20, 2012 6:15AM
Tuesday was more or a less a do-or-die day for Richards, if the Bulldogs wanted to stay in the South Suburban Red hunt before beginning head-to-head competition Thursday against their division foes.
It also was payback day for Richards’ Kara Rockey.
“I don’t think I’ve ever beaten Oak Forest,” Rockey said of the Bulldogs’ final crossover opponent. “We were really fired up to beat them, especially after last year.”
In their 2011 meeting, the Bengals prevailed in straight sets. This time Rockey got her revenge as Richards won 25-18, 25-20.
The 5-foot-6 libero was key on defense for the Bulldogs (11-5, 5-2) with 16 digs. Her four aces, all in a row, fueled a Set 2 comeback from as much as a seven-point deficit.
Other leaders for Richards were Megan Albon (7 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks), Haley Barker (4 blocks), Bridget Ferrin (7 assists) and Hali Gertz (5 assists).
Cassidy Staunton had 12 digs and three aces, Kaitlynn Zickus six digs and six assists, Alissa Tattas five digs and Kathy Flanagan three kills for Oak Forest (9-9, 2-2).
Two critical stretches paved the way for the Bulldogs.
In Set 1, they trailed 10-8 when an Albon kill sparked a 7-0 run that also was highlighted by two aces by Ferrin.
In Set 2, Oak Forest led 13-6 when a Dana Wujcik kill put Rockey at the line. Four consecutive times Rockey sent liners over the net that caromed off a back-row defender for Oak Forest.
“I just knew I had to serve them in and I had to serve them hard,” Rockey said. “I was just going for a run of points to get us back in the game.
“After that run I think we definitely buckled down and knew that it was our time to start playing like we did in the first game.”
Oak Forest was unable to sustain any more runs beyond two points. Of Richards’ final 14 points, 10 were the result of unforced errors by the Bengals.
Albon, meanwhile, was key for the Bulldogs in finding success against a fairly effective Oak Forest defensive effort at the net.
“The blocks were there. I was just trying to get around them,” Albon said. “Last year we didn’t do very well against them. I’m glad we came out here and got them (Tuesday).”
