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Evanston, Trinity advance to regional final
Evanston's Caroline Duke (1) jumps to block a spike against Byron in the Discovery Volleyball Tournament Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012 at New Trier in Winnetka. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
RIVER FOREST — Evanston used extended runs to knock off Payton 25-12, 25-15 in a 4A regional semifinal at Trinity on Tuesday. The No. 7 seeded Wildkits (13-23) will play host Trinity Thursday.
In game one, Evanston looked unfazed facing a 10-10 tie with a Payton team that came into the game with a 17-15 record. The Wildkits went on a 13-0 run that included two kills each for Jackie Gibbons and Mary Frigo (5 kills), an ace from Clara Gruger, a block from Arianna Salas, and a lot of forced mistakes from the Grizzles. The run gave Evanston not only the momentum for the game, but for the match.
“We could definitely feel the momentum swing our way during that run. We were playing very well and weren’t making mistakes while they were becoming frustrated,” said Clara Gruger, who finished with four aces and nine digs.
In the second game, Payton jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but the Wildkits did not flinch. They put together a 9-0 run that included two kills and a block from Caroline Duke, a kill and spike from Angelika Pointer, and two kills from Frigo, as well as two forced mistakes from the Grizzlies.
“We’re really excited to move on,” said Duke. “Every game is really important and we know we just have to keep on winning.”
Pointer, who finished with two kills and four blocks, said she is happy with the win but knows improvements must be made to defeat Trinity on its home court.
“We need to play a little faster in the next game and take advantage of the momentum that’s on our side. But a convincing win like this helps us psychologically moving forward,” said Pointer.
In the first semifinal, No. 2 Trinity swept aside Taft 25-19, 25-11.
