Lake Zurich Girls Volleyball Team Bows Out Against Stevenson

After knocking off the number 2 seeded Hersey in Tuesday's semifinal girls volleyball match in the Warren sectional, the Lake Zurich Bears were looking forward with great anticipation to Thursday night's contest against the Stevenson Patriots. "We've got something to prove," is how coach Matt Aiello put it.

"We played probably our worst games against Stevenson when we played them over a month ago," said Aiello. "We had 37 unforced errors in the last match-up. But that was before we got settled with our lineup. We're a different team now."

Unfortunately, that improved, set lineup didn't translate into victory, as Stevenson defeated the Bears 25-23, 25-14 to win the Class 4-A Warren sectional and advance to the Barrington super sectional. As the scores indicate, Lake Zurich's game fell off significantly after they kept it close in the first contest.

"In both games we just didn't play well," Aiello said. "We never found our rhythm and we were inconsistent with our passing. We made a lot of unforced errors, and that's what cost us. If we had pulled out the first game, we might have had a shot."

 In the first game, there were a number of long rallies that put pressure on both teams not to make any errors. Ultimately, Stevenson's setter Jenna Przybyla's kills were the difference-maker.

Coach Aiello knew his team's games against Stevenson weren't going to be easy. "Stevenson always plays really good defense," he said before Thursday's meeting. "When you first see them, you're underwhelmed. They've got two excellent outside hitters: Carlee Berland and Rachel Baader. If we can minimize their runs, then we'll be in good shape."

Lake Zurich was able to hold Stevenson in check in the first game, stopping them from pulling away. But Stevenson was able to produce several of those runs that coach Aiello spoke of in game two. They broke out with a 9-3 lead, and cruised to a relatively easy win.

Stevenson's Przybyla finished 26-of-26 setting with 14 assists. Teammate Mackenzie Kurth finished 11 of 11 on her serves with 2 aces, and Carolyn McDonough was 10-of-12 serving with four aces. Nicole Duszczyk was Stevenson's defensive leader with 13 digs; Kurth finished with 11.

The Bear's junior Natalie Gora slammed seven kills, while serving 10 of 10 with an ace. She also had an impressive 12 digs. Amanda Orchard finished with six kills.

"I was proud that nobody gave up," Orchard said. "I am disappointed with the loss, but I feel good that we had a good season."

While Thursday's loss against Stevenson was an unfortunate finish to an otherwise solid season for Lake Zurich, they can look back with pride on their semifinal victory against Hersey on Tuesday. In that match-up, the Bears played an aggressive third game to put away the Huskies.

Junior Amanda Orchard, one of only three girls back from Aiello's nine-player rotation a year ago, achieved 6 of her 15 kills in the final game. She also sealed the victory with back-to-back aces to end the game. Natalie Gora finished second to Orchard with nine kills while Layne Self had four blocks and two kills.

"We played a little sloppy in the early going offensively," said Aiello. "Our defense was solid throughout all three games."

 Alexis Hartman, the team's go-to girl on offense, handed out 24 assists while setting a perfect 70 of 70, including an ace. Amelia Leng (two blocks), Karlissa Skarb, Ali Summers and Dori Darras also played key roles in the match

 "Karlissa Skarb and Ali Summers were just great in the back court," Aiello said. "They really kept us in all three games."

"Hersey hits differently than Lake Forest," said Aiello, comparing the Huskies to the Bears'  previous opponent. "It was really a timing issue. Once we figured out Hersey, then our offense was able to get going."

A young team that jelled once their rotation was established by mid-season, the Bears  played exceptionally well during the final month of the season. It bodes well for next year.