For just a brief moment Wednesday night, Palatine hit a little speed bump in its Mid-Suburban League title match against Conant.
But the 10th-ranked Pirates quickly righted the ship and cruised to a 15-6, 15-7 sweep and the conference title.
After cruising in the opener, Palatine (31-4) felt the momentum slipping in Game 2 when it trailed 6-4 after a series of unforced errors.
But senior Vesna Grbavac, the MSL North player of the year, put a stop to that. She keyed an 8-0 Palatine run when she slam-dunked three of her match-high nine kills.
“I think we came out mentally prepared to play, and we just wanted to play to our potential,” Grbavac said. “After falling behind in the second game, we focused on our passing, and that really got our attack going. There was no way we were going to let them back in the game after we retook the lead.”
With Palatine up 12-6, Grbavac and teammate Karen Hagberg (six kills) made sure of that with a couple of kills for sideouts. A block by Kate Gates (13 assists) and two unforced errors sealed the match down the stretch for Palatine.
“Our offense really came out and attacked, as did our serving,” Palatine coach George Sherman said.
“Vesna can take a match over with her hitting, but I think our passing game is what enabled us to take over.”
Jill Bergmann led Conant (23-6-1) with five kills.
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St. Francis d. Aurora Central Catholic 15-5, 15-6: Erin Byrd had five kills as No. 4 St. Francis (31-4, 12-0) clinched its eighth consecutive Suburban Catholic title.
Addison Trail d. Leyden 15-1, 15-9: Carin Cieslowski had 11 kills and Caroline Katsikas added 10 for Addison Trail (25-8, 4-1) in the West Suburban Gold.
Bradley d. Rich South 15-8, 15-11: Bradley (22-6, 10-0) clinched its fifth straight SICA South title as Brandi Petelle had 10 kills and Crystal Williams added six.
Downers Grove South d. Proviso East 15-4, 15-1: Linda DiProspero had seven kills as Downers South (29-5, 6-0) clinched the West Suburban Gold.
New Trier d. Evanston 15-11, 15-2: Kim Ihlanfeldt had three kills to lead New Trier.
Holy Trinity d. U-High 15-3, 15-7: Qiana Young had 12 kills and Grace Rizzo 12 assists for Holy Trinity (15-10).
Homewood-Flossmoor d. Bloom 16-14, 15-1: Micki Morisette (eight kills) and Michelle Joyce (seven) led the H-F (17-11, 7-3) attack in the SICA East.
Mt. Assisi d. Wheaton Academy 16-14, 15-1: Mandy Ignowski had 13 assists and eight digs for Mt. Assisi (21-9).
Providence d. Maria 15-1, 15-6: Jodi Steffes had eight kills as Providence (25-9) prevailed.
Regina d. Immaculate Heart of Mary 15-9, 15-4: Alesa Rockomanovich had eight kills to lead Regina Dominican (22-2).
Rich Central d. Rich East 15-6, 15-13: Betsy Hawes had 10 kills as Rich Central (13-15, 5-5) prevailed in the SICA East.
St. Benedict d. Luther South 15-9, 15-13: Juanita Marquez (five kills, three aces) and Marlene Fuentes (four kills, three aces) paced St. Benedict (16-9).
Shepard d. Thornridge 15-0, 15-4: Jayne Moore had seven assists and Lauren Daw added four kills for Shepard (23-6, 7-3) in the SICA East.
T.F. North d. Eisenhower 15-13, 15-9: Jill Colclasure had five service aces and seven kills for T.F. North (23-8, 12-0) in the SICA Central.
Thornwood d. Thornton 15-1, 16-14: Janine Palatt had 18 assists and Katie Hahn added four blocks as Thornwood (24-9, 10-0) clinched the SICA East title.
Woodlands Academy d. Chicago Latin 15-11, 17-15: Jackie Gibson had seven kills and Katie Moorehead 13 assists for Woodlands (13-13, 8-4) in the Independent School League.
Soccer
Fenwick 4, Mt. Carmel 2: Bob Nierzywicki had a pair of goals to lead Fenwick (7-11-2).
Hinsdale Central 3, Lyons Township 2: Rob Hulick scored the game-winner 6 minutes into the second overtime for Hinsdale Central (10-6-3, 5-1) in the West Suburban Silver.
Hinsdale Central 3, Lyons Township 2: Rob Hulick scored the game-winner 6 minutes into the second overtime for Hinsdale Central (10-6-3, 5-1) in the West Suburban Silver.