(Sugar Grove, IL) - After knocking off nationally-ranked Sauk Valley Community College last week, the Waubonsee Community College women's volleyball team was looking to build upon that success. Coach Steve Kish's crew did just that by rolling past visiting South Suburban College in three straight games 25-21, 25-16 and 25-13. The Chiefs, who normally play their volleyball season in the fall, are now 3-2 overall on the abreviated 2021 Spring season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the opener South Suburban tallied the first point before Waubonsee eventually took an early 6-3 lead on a kill by Maddie Mueller. After a Bulldogs' timeout they rallied to knot the score at 6-all and stayed within close range of the Chiefs from that point on. An ace by Evelyn Martin tied the game at 18 and a back row kill by Olivia McPherson a moment later put Waubonsee in front for good. Not long after a soft drop shot for a point by Kiara McPherson and a spike by Mueller from the center of the net made it 22-19 and gave the Chiefs a little breathing room. Another kill shot by Olivia McPherson down the left sideline set up game point for Waubonsee. In a reversal of their usual roles, the Chiefs' shortest player, 5'0" freshman defensive specialist Lilly Pierce, then finished the game with a kill off an assist from Waubonsee's tallest player, 5'11" Claire Sweeney.
In game two the Bulldogs again scored the first point, only to have Waubonsee once more take a 6-3 lead on a kill by Mueller. With Lydia Sabanish serving, the Chiefs reeled off four straight points to gain the upper hand and force South Suburban to call timeout. The Bulldogs clawed to within a point at 11-10, but were never able to take the lead. A block by Sweeney put the Chiefs ahead 19-15 and two minutes later Waubonsee won the point after a long volley to secure a 21-15 lead. South Suburban tried to stop the bleeding by calling another timeout, but it was to no avail. A power kill by Olivia McPherson down the left side of the court put the Chiefs in command with a 24-15 lead. Waubonsee grabbed a two games to none lead shortly thereafter when a return shot by the Bulldogs landed beyond the end line.
The third game mirrored the first two only in its beginning as South Suburban once again regsitered the first point. And just as they had in the first two games, Waubonsee bounced back to take a 6-3 lead on a kill, this time by Martin. A slick, overhead reverse tap for a point by Kiara McPherson highlighted the Chiefs' early scoring, and a thunderous spike later on by her twin sister Olivia put the Chiefs in control with a 13-7 lead. Waubonsee extended the lead to 23-11 on a perfectly placed tap over the top of the net by Sweeney, and a net violation by the Bulldogs on the ensuing volley moved the Chiefs to within a point of clinching the match. A moment later Waubonsee officially recorded the win when the Bulldogs' return shot off Larkin O'Donnell's serve went into the net.
Olivia McPherson paced Waubonsee's attack once again, booking 16 kills four aces and 11 digs. Mueller finished with 10 kills, Kiara McPherson chipped in with 39 assists, Sabanish added 17 digs and Martin tallied six kills and two aces and two blocks. Waubonsee is not in action again until Wednesday, March 10 when they travel to Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills for an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) match starting at 6:00 p.m. (CDT). The Chiefs return home on March 15 when they host the College of Lake County in another ISCC match up also beginning at 6:00 p.m. Due to the on-going Covid-19 safety and health protocols, no fans are allowed to attend the match in person. However, it will be streamed 'live' on-line via a link on Waubonsee's website www.GoChiefs.com