Faced with a 12-8 deficit late in the third game of a match marked with wide momentum swings, Lyons volleyball coach Joann Pyritz provided her players with some advice more fitting of a boxing match.
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“We were going to go down swinging,” Pyritz said. “I think that gave us the edge.”
With some key quick attacks and aggressive hitting in that third game, Lyons was able to climb out of its hole and hold serve on the last three points to pull out an 11-15, 15-9, 15-12 victory over Downers Grove North.
With the win, No. 9 Lyons (21-4-1, 4-0) took sole possession of first place in the West Suburban Silver.
Greg Ganzel turned in an all-around performance with 14 kills, three blocks and three aces.
–Ed Cavanaugh.
Lincoln-Way d. Homewood-Flossmoor 15-2, 15-9: Joe Coughlin served up five aces to lead No. 6 Lincoln-Way (24-4).
Glenbrook North d. Maine West 15-3, 15-6: Kyle Reid had 11 kills to lead Glenbrook North (17-7, 7-0) in the Central Suburban North.
Hinsdale South d. Leyden 15-11, 15-12: Mark Koeneman and Nick Cisek had 10 and nine kills, respectively, for Hinsdale South (17-7, 3-2) in the West Suburban Gold.
Lincoln Park d. Kelvyn Park 17-15, 13-15, 15-9: Thiago Mairink collected 16 kills and Max Masaya had 12 assists as Lincoln Park (18-8) prevailed in the first round of the Public League playoffs.
Mather d. Wells 15-4, 15-4: Davor Palos had 11 kills and Isai Alvarado chipped in five kills and two assists as Mather (21-4) romped in the Public League playoffs.
Notre Dame d. St. Patrick 15-10, 15-1: Brian Brosnan had seven kills and 10 digs for Notre Dame (16-10, 9-1) in the East Suburban Catholic.
Simeon d. Fenger 15-13, 15-6: Jenell Carter had 10 kills to go along with Lawrence Williams’ 16 assists for Simeon (12-1).
Taft d. Juarez 15-3, 15-5: Edward Szawinski had six kills and five blocks for Taft (15-4) in the Public League playoffs.
Girls soccer
St. Charles 3, Bartlett 0: No. 1 St. Charles (15-2-2, 7-0) rolled in the Upstate Eight with goals from Kristin Zoelle, Sara Beebe and Deb Benakis.
Lyons 7, Proviso East 0: Kristie Simon scored two goals for No. 3 Lyons (16-1-2, 5-0) in the West Suburban Silver game to run her season total to 32.
Cary-Grove 4, McHenry 0: Joey Hahn and Jamie Hastings each scored two goals to lead Cary-Grove (7-5-3, 5-2) in the Fox Valley.
Latin 3, Parker 0: Lindsay Hagan, Catherine Callard and Emma Groetzinger each chipped in a goal to lift Latin (11-0-1, 8-0) in the Independent School League.
IHM 1, Ressurection 0: Lauren Ewalt scored the lone goal for IHM (8-8-1) in the GCAC Red tournament.
Lake Zurich 5, Grayslake 0: Jenny Jeffers scored a pair of goals as Lake Zurich (12-5, 7-0) rolled in the Fox Valley.
Mother Guerin 5, St. Scholastica 0: Katie Dyke scored her 21st goal of the season for Mother Guerin (11-8, 3-2) in the GCAC White tournament.
Niles North 2, Niles West 0: Laura Stewart and Nikki Jaeschke each scored for Niles North (5-7-3, 4-4-2) in the Central Suburban crossover.
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Oak Lawn 2, Argo 0: Melinda Hernandez and Samantha Norris each scored to lead Oak Lawn (11-2, 8-1) in the SICA North
Richards 2, Reavis 1: Cathy Kelly scored both goals to lead Richards (11-3-2) in the SICA North.
U-High 4, Lake Forest Academy 0: Jordann Zachary had a goal and an assist to lift U-High (11-3, 8-1) in the Independent School League.
Waubonsie Valley 4, Streamwood 0: Shanna Thorpe, Megan Kolkay, Laura Burnett and Beth Kohorn each scored as Waubonsie (11-5-3, 6-1) rolled in the Upstate Eight.