Trinity survives Evanston’s quick start in regional final

Updated: November 3, 2012 3:22PM

RIVER FOREST — Great balance helped host Trinity roll though regionals.

Led by big contributions from Mikayla Leyden (8 kills, 17 digs), Jacque Kibir-Evans (6 kills, 3 aces), kill-leader Ashley Klauss (6 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs) and setter Maddi Creaden (19 assists), No. 2 sectional seed Trinity (24-8) overcame a fast start by Evanston to win Thursday’s Class 3A regional title match 25-16, 25-12.

“We know each other so well and kind of read each other, almost like telepathy,” Kibir-Evans said. “We’re really close friends and we bring that on and off the court. That’s how we play together so well.”

Evanston (13-24) jumped to a 5-1 lead in game one and remained up 12-11, but four straight Leyden serves put Trinity ahead for good at 15-12. Another run of four serves by Maggie O’Connor put the momentum on Trinity’s side the rest of the night.

“These girls just wanted it,” Trinity coach Katy Schabes said. “They maybe came out a little slow in the very beginning, but I don’t think we ever faltered too much. They really had this (regional title) set as their goal, and there was no denying them tonight.”

Junior Caitlin Boer had five kills and an ace for Evanston.

“I was really proud of the girls the way they came out ready and focused,” Evanston coach Pam MacPherson said. “They started the game really well, and then we just stopped.

“We came out really hard at the beginning, but we just weren’t ready to fight all the way through.”

Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Nov. 1 to read more about the Evanston and Trinity volleyball teams.

Show / Hide Comments