by Tony Baranek tbaranek@southtownstar.com September 20, 2011 10:52PM
Sandburg’s Kristen Bailey (12) and Kelly Finlay (6) go up for a block against Lincoln-Way West’s Rachel Johnson (18) during their volleyball game in new Lenox Tuesday, September 20, 2011. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 21, 2011 2:08AM
No. 10 Lincoln-Way West was pretty darned close to getting the better of top-ranked Sandburg on Tuesday when the Warriors were hit by a force they couldn’t have seen coming.
And just as fast as Bridget Lebert did the damage, she was back on the bench.
The 5-foot-10 right-side hitter was on the floor for exactly one volley during the Eagles’ 25-21, 25-14 SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover victory in girls volleyball.
It came late in Game 1. The host Warriors had just ripped off three points in a row to close to within 23-20 when Eagles coach David Vales sent in Lebert.
Setter Kara Kentner had other options but opted to feed the ball to Lebert on the right side.
The swing was sharp. The hit explosive. The result a kill.
Sandburg closed Game 1 via a kill by another sophomore off the bench, Meghan Hutchinson, and went on to dominate the Warriors in Game 2.
Dakota Hampton had 10 kills, Paige Bendell six and Kelly Finlay, Kristy Theisen and Kristen Bailey four each for Sandburg (9-2), which was also led by Kentner (14 assists), Sami Knight (11 assists) and Nicole Bing (13 digs).
Lincoln-Way West (13-4) was paced by Sarah Wegrzyn (9 kills), Rachel Johnson (4 kills, 3 digs), Annie Wegrzyn (3 kills), Caleigh Galvan (10 assists) and Kelly Staack (8 assists).
“I was nervous, but I had to just calm myself down and do what I needed to do,” Lebert said of her late heroics in Game 1. “I’m so fortunate to have these girls helping me through everything and telling me what I need to work on. I’m just really happy to be on this team.”
It wasn’t Lebert’s first pinch-hitting appearance that resulted in a home run.
“Against Stagg (a three-game victory on Sept. 12) she came in in a tough spot and had so many kills,” Kentner said. “From then on I’ve had confidence in her whenever she comes into the game. She’s one of my no. 1 options.”
Sandburg is no. 1 in the rankings, mostly because of a two-game victory Saturday over previously top-ranked Marist at the Wheaton-Warrenville South Tournament.
“We just mentally prepared and we took it point by point,” Kentner said. “We treated it just like we were playing any other team, and played to our strengths.
“Winning that match really boosted our confidence. Even though we lost the second match (Saturday), we were still just happy that we beat Marist.”
West has had a few bobbles since going 10-0, but played Sandburg tough in Game 1. Sandburg caught its first big wave with a four-point run to go up 23-17, but the Warriors fought right back via two kills by Annie Wegrzyn and another by Galvan.
“In the first game we battled hard,” West coach Rory Harrison said. “But then there were some decision-making things with setting and where we were putting our shots down that really didn’t go our way in the second game.
“Sandburg did a great job. they have a really diverse offense. But we just really didn’t make good choices in the second game.”
no. 2 Marist 25-25, Bishop McNamara 2-7: The Holder sisters, Taylor (8 assists, 5 service points) and Ashley (8 service points, 7 digs) were among the standouts host Marist (11-1, 2-0) in the East Suburban Catholic.
No. 3 Mother McAuley 25-25, Regina 13-18: Lizzy Scanlon had nine kills for host McAuley (5-2) in the GCAC Red.
No. 5 Lincoln-Way East 25-25, Thornwood 6-13: Katie Allen had 12 service points and three aces for visiting East (10-1). Dana Van Dyck added 12 digs for the Griffins in the SouthWest Suburban crossover.
Lockport 27-25, no. 7 Lincoln-Way North 25-23: Christina Wilson (25 assists) and Anna Bryniarksi (10 kills) paced visiting Lockport (7-4) in the SouthWest Suburban crossover. Stephanie Pearson totaled 13 kills for North (9-7).
No. 8 Lincoln-Way Central 25-25, Thornridge 1-6: Meredith Byar had five digs and four aces for visiting Central (8-3) in the SouthWest Suburban crossover.
No. 9 Richards 25-25, Oak Lawn 18-18: Mary Spedale and Kara Rockey had 11 digs apiece for visiting Richards (14-3, 4-2) in the South Suburban Red.
Shepard 25-25, Reavis 15-16: Franchesca Graffeo had eight digs and two aces for host Shepard (9-5, 5-1) in the South Suburban Red.
Lemont 17-25-25, T.F. South 25-20-20: Emily Brown and Kiley Rendak had five kills apiece for host Lemont (11-7, 5-1) in the South Suburban Blue. Elise Seufert led T.F. South (12-8-1, 4-2) with 23 assists.
Rich Central 25-25, Rich South 17-19: Nakeyta Clair had 11 kills for host Rich Central (7-6, 3-0) in the Southland.
Andrew 25-25, Joliet Central 14-20: Angela Robinson dished out 10 assists in spearheading host Andrew (9-4) in the SouthWest Suburban crossover.
Bloom 28-25, Rich East 26-21: Amber Fryer had 10 kills to lead visiting Bloom (7-10, 2-1) in the Southland.
Stagg 25-25, Joliet West 6-13: Ali Conrad finished with 14 service points and 11 digs for host Stagg (7-9) in the SouthWest Suburban crossover.
Oak Forest 21-25-25, Bremen 25-17-21: Katie Zickus passed out 39 assists and Gina Ryan had 18 kills and 13 digs for host Oak Forest (10-8, 6-0) in the South Suburban Blue. The victory was the 200th at the school for coach Amanda Brown. Melissa Bullard had 23 assists and 10 digs for Bremen (11-5, 4-2).
Evergreen Park 25-25, Argo 16-23: Sam Rule’s 14 assists and Patrice Silas’ seven kills were key for visiting Evergreen Park (5-12, 2-4) in the South Suburban Red.
Tinley Park 23-25-25, Hillcrest 25-18-10: Sam Alberto notched nine kills for host Tinley Park (7-9, 4-2) in the South Suburban Blue.
Nazareth 25-25, Marian Catholic 22-19: Colleen Rynne provided 30 assists for visiting Marian Catholic (8-8, 0-1) in the East Suburban Catholic.
Beecher 25-25, Cullom Tri-Point 19-22: Katie Wilkosz (10 assists, 6 aces, 4 digs) led host Beecher (7-5).
Timothy Christian 25-25, Illiana Christian 13-14: Visiting Illiana Christian (8-8, 3-1) lost in the Metro Suburban.
Lincoln-Way East 174, Bolingbrook 228: Medalist Kelly Sterling had a 38 to lead East in the SouthWest Suburban crossover at Green Garden.
Oak Forest 184, Lockport 190: Krystal Garritson, of Lockport, was the medalist with a 40 at Dunne National.
Mother McAuley 168, Marist 176: Michelle Dempster’s led all golfers with a 38 as McAuley won the GCAC dual at The Meadows.
Marian Catholic triangular: Medalist Sylvie Brick had an even-par 37 in leading Marian Catholic (166) over Providence (175) and Fenwick (200) in the East Suburban Catholic meet at Lincoln Oaks.
Trinity 188, Queen of Peace 225: Mary Ellen Woods had a team-best 53 for Queen of Peace in the GCAC dual at Indian Boundary.
Lincoln-Way Central 162, Lincoln-Way West 166: Lincoln-Way Central won the SouthWest Suburban Red meet at The Sanctuary.
Lockport 6, Bolingbrook 1: Caroline Plecki won at no. 2 singles for host Lockport (9-3, 4-1) in the SouthWest Suburban Blue.
Chicago Christian 5, Aurora Central Catholic 0: Libby Schipma and Megan Wise won at top-seeded doubles for host Chicago Christian in the Suburban Christian dual.
Rich Central 3, Kankakee 2: Brandi Whitten and Rhegass White (No. 1 doubles) were among the winners for host Rich Central (5-4, 4-1) in the Southland.
Shepard 3, Oak Lawn 2: Shea Schaaf’s win at no. 1 singles led host Shepard (6-4, 6-2) in the South Suburban Red.
Lincoln-Way North 7, Lincoln-Way West 0: Olivia Knuth prevailed at no. 1 singles for visiting Lincoln-Way North (10-1, 3-1) in the SouthWest Suburban Red.
Nazareth 4, Marian Catholic 1: Gaby Rosales (No. 1 singles) had the win for host Marian Catholic (10-4, 2-4) in the East Suburban Catholic meet.
Lincoln-Way Central 4, Andrew 3: Katelyn Kuper and Grace Hilgenbrink won at no. 1 doubles for host Lincoln-Way Central in the SouthWest Suburban Red.
Mount Assisi 5, St. Scholastica 0: Katie Kokaska and Jennifer Smith (No. 1 doubles) posted a victory for visiting Mount Assisi in the GCAC.
Morgan Park Academy 3, Francis Parker 2: Jerricka Boone improved to 9-0 with a victory at no. 1 singles for host Morgan Park Academy (3-6, 2-3) in the Independent School League.
Reavis 5, Eisenhower 0: Phan Le (No. 1 singles) was a winner for host Reavis in the South Suburban Red.
Contributing: Josh Krockey
