Top-seeded Hinsdale South and second-seeded Lyons Township took different routes Tuesday night to Thursday`s championship game at the Hinsdale Central Class AA volleyball regional.
No. 3 Hinsdale South (32-2-1) overwhelmed crosstown rival Hinsdale Central 15-3, 15-4. It may be a costly victory for the Hornets, though.
Six-foot senior middle blocker Lisa Laukaitis, who had four kills in an 8-point Hinsdale South run in the second game, fell to the floor after landing on a teammate`s foot and had to be carried off the court.
The injury was a strained ligament; she will be in a cast Wednesday and may play Thursday.
”It would be a serious loss,” said coach Linda Marable. ”She is a key player for us. She averages four aces a match. The power of her serve really throws off the defense.
”It`s tough to see a possible trip Downstate flash before your eyes. I just talked to the team and told them we`ll just have to pull together now.” The second match was a fierce struggle between Lions and Tigers. The Lions of Lyons Township (26-10) rallied from a 10-2 third-game deficit to defeat the Tigers of Immaculate Heart of Mary 12-15, 15-5, 15-12.
Lyons coach Joann Pyritz credited senior Maria Siambekos with leading the Lions back with outstanding defense. She dived all over the floor for eight digs and added five kills.
”You win or you die,” said Siambekos. ”I love to play defense-you can`t let a ball hit the floor.”
Lyons` Sheila Carroll served five straight points to tie the match at 10.
It was tied at 12 when the Lions put together a block-kill by Marita McCahill, a kill by Megan MacCartie and a dink by Kara MacCartie that fell untouched to win the match.
”I know we need to be four times better to beat South on Thursday,”
said Pyritz, whose team beat Hinsdale South earlier this season.