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player ready...Maybe experience is overrated. Downers Grove South and Barrington advanced to the Class AA volleyball finals with their younger players in major roles.
Barrington was led by sophomores Nellie Spicer (12 kills) and Laura Holloway (11 kills) in their 16-14, 15-10 victory over Normal Community, while Downers South sophomore Jeanette Abbott and junior Kira Batura had big roles in the Mustangs’ 15-13, 15-3 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South.
“When you’re young, you play with your heart and emotion,” said Barrington coach Karen Traub.
Barrington had to overcome Normal junior Austin Kant, who had 13 kills, and sophomore Breanna Leisner, who had seven kills and two blocks.
Downers South withstood a huge Wheaton South effort in the first game, and then jumped to a 9-0 lead in the second. Abbott and Batura each had four kills, and seniors Meghan Macdonald and Claire MaCormack had 10 and six, respectively.
“I turned to one of our coaches on the bench and said, ‘Jeanette looks pretty comfortable,'” said Downers South coach Denise Lazzeroni Kavanaugh. “She looks like she’s been in there.”
Community pride:
Wheaton South’s Katie Weidner and Jenna Link probably were destined to play in Redbird Arena their senior seasons. The Tiger setters transferred to Wheaton South from St. Francis after their sophomore years. The Spartans, who were third in 2000, made it to the Class A final.
“It’s great to have teams from the same town competing in the state tournament,” Weidner said. “It’s a good opportunity.”