With a roaring crowd in support of the girls’ volleyball team, the Kits were seeking to collect their 5th win Monday night at Evanston Township High School.
Although coming off a two-set win to Muslim Community Center Academy, the Kits could not keep the winning train moving as a (6-3, 0-0) Saint Viator defeated (4,6, 1-1 CSL) Evanston in three hard-fought sets for both teams, 10-25, 28-26, 20-25.
“That was the first time we played three sets in a match, usually we only played two. So when we got to our third set, I do think we struggled to keep up our intensity,” said head coach Mike McDermott
As soon as the first set began the Wildkits displayed a glimpse of their well-performed serve receive and active defense, scoring the first two points of the set. Nevertheless, Saint Viator didn’t show signs of backing down as they scored nine unanswered points and ultimately took the first-set win with the contribution of juniors Avery Albritton and Erin Lynch.
Not swayed by the past, Evanston jumped out hot in the second set with big plays to set the tone from seniors Frankie Taylor and Sarah Skey. Signs of miscommunication from Saint Viators opened up kills and ace opportunities for Taylor, Skey, and the Kits offense. Shifting the momentum and energy towards Evanston’s favor, the Kits student section reciprocated thundering chants to keep the hot hand for Evanston, coming out with a win in the second set.
“I told them [after the first set] that we had to be aggressive,” McDermott said. “We had to swing at the ball and not give the other team free balls, as long as we are swinging at the ball, good things are going to happen. And we changed the momentum of the match, which was great.”
Picking up where they left off, the Kits opened up the third set with the first two points, in response the Lions fed off an immediate error by Evanston, tying it up 4-4. Back-and-forth the third set went, with senior Lina Hauser, juniors Vivian Mitchell, Casey Mcdermott, and sophomore Norah Williams helping the kits fight back every played ball but when it came down to the final play; Albritton, for the Lions sealed the deal with a game-ending kill.
“Positives, is that we got some other [players] on the court that now we know they can play ball and might’ve earned themselves a starting spot in the lineup,” voiced McDermott. “Vivian Mitchell in particular, Sarah Skey played very well for us, and Norah Williams our sophomore. We want to get her involved more but she was very active out there too. Our setter Casey McDermott played very well, as did our other setter Lina Hauser”
Despite the loss, the Kits had big statistical contributors, Taylor 5 kills and 1 block, Casey McDermott 4 kills, 9 digs, and 2 aces; Hauser 8 assists, 8 digs, and 2 aces
Above all, as the girls’ volleyball team journey season continues, they are still yet to find out what team they aspire to be.
“I think we are still looking for our identity. We know that we have a lot of energy and we’re still trying to find that locked in focus all the time. So I think that’s what our goal is. Can we maintain that focus throughout the whole match?” said McDermott.
The Kits will travel to Niles West on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 5:00 p.m. for their next game.
“[Niles West] always brings energy. They pack the stands with football players at their place. I love that energy and I think our girls play better on the road than they do at home. It’s going to be fun for us to see that energy and not have to be the home team,” said McDermott.
