Sophomore Sarah Potts is a fierce hitter for the third-ranked Lyons Township volleyball team, but her powerful jump serve caused No. 2 Mother McAuley to collapse Thursday in Western Springs.
Potts, who had 12 kills and five blocks, broke a 4-4 tie in Game 3 with three straight service aces off her jump serve to fuel a 9-0 run and a 7-15, 15-9, 15-7 victory for the undefeated Lions (14-0).
“(The serve) was a gamble, because I knew McAuley could get back in it, but I also knew that Sarah was warmed up and ready to play,” Lyons coach Joann Pyritz said. “That gave us the emotional spark we needed.”
Jamie Barnish added 14 kills for Lyons. Melissa Keck (10 assists) and Noreen Carroll (14) anchored the offense for the Lions. Katie Brasher had nine kills and 16 assists to guide McAuley (8-2).
Stagg d. Andrew 15-2, 15-11: Top-ranked Stagg (13-0, 3-0) rolled in the SICA West behind Janet Golen and Jenelle Hart. They had nine kills and five blocks apiece.
Lockport d. Joliet 15-6, 15-6: The No. 6 Porters were led by Stephanie Jackson’s seven kills and Meg Ward’s 18 assists.
Huntley d. Oregon 15-3, 15-6: No. 8 Huntley (11-1, 3-0) used nine kills by Becky Weber to sweep the Big Northern match.
Conant d. Hoffman Estates 11-15, 15-8, 15-10: Jill Bergmann’s 10 kills aided Conant (13-4-1, 6-0 Mid-Suburban South).
Crystal Lake South d. Dundee-Crown 15-8, 15-5: Jamie Simek had 14 kills and Kristin Klingsick 26 assists to lead South (10-3-2, 5-1) in the Fox Valley.
Evergreen Park d. Westmont 15-10, 15-10: Chrissy Schurla led the Mustangs (10-4, 2-0 Suburban Prairie White) with six kills, six blocks and seven aces.
Jacobs d. Prairie Ridge 15-3, 15-9: Jacobs (17-1, 5-1) was victorious in the Fox Valley with Laura Spalding’s five blocks.
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Juarez d. Crane 15-1, 15-4: Maria Lemus served seven aces for Juarez (6-2-1, 4-1) in the Public Red West.
Lane Tech d. Amundsen 8-15, 15-10, 15-12: Jamiee Toczek recorded 11 kills and Erin Gates five for Lane (12-3, 5-0), which trailed 9-2 in Game 2 before rallying for the Public Red North victory.
Lincoln-Way d. Sandburg 6-15, 16-14, 15-10: Kristen Clements, Tracy Gallovitch and Stephanie Greves had eight kills each to help Lincoln-Way (9-1, 3-0 SICA West) over Sandburg (7-4, 2-1).
Loyola d. Trinity 15-8, 15-7: Loyola (10-3, 2-1) won the GCAC White match behind Katie Hammonds’ 10 kills.
Marian Catholic d. Fenwick 8-15, 15-7, 15-2: Moira Couglin (six aces) and Keara Coughlin each had 12 kills for Marian Catholic (8-2, 1-1 East Suburban Catholic).
McHenry d. Crystal Lake Central 15-12, 15-10: Karla Yassin had six kills for the Warriors (15-3, 5-1 Fox Valley).
Minooka d. Batavia 15-13, 4-15, 15-5: Minooka (7-8-1, 1-1) defeated its Suburban Prairie Red rival with six kills and eight blocks by Ryane Beasley.
Queen of Peace d. St. Ignatius 15-5, 15-12: Angie Banys’ nine kills powered Queen of Peace (12-2, 2-0) in the GCAC Red.
Richards d. Reavis 15-5, 15-6: Jill Gannon’s seven kills and four blocks helped Richards (9-5, 3-0) post the SICA North sweep.
St. Charles d. Elgin 15-4, 15-5: Lauren Halt’s nine kills led St. Charles (13-4, 5-1) in the Upstate Eight.
Seton d. Regina 15-5, 15-11: Renee Shalvis’ seven kills and Gina Kulas’ 21 assists sparked Seton (11-3, 4-0 GCAC White).
Simeon d. Dunbar 15-11, 15-2: Tanesha Wilkins had nine kills to spark Simeon (11-0-1, 5-0 Public Red South-Central).
Timothy Christian d. Illiana Christian 13-15, 15-6, 15-13: Rachel Boerema had 14 kills and Jenny Petroelje 35 assists to guide Timothy (8-2-1, 2-0) over Illiana (11-3, 2-1) in the Private School League. Timothy and Illiana were league co-champions last year.
West Chicago d. Naperville North 15-13, 15-9: Twelve kills by Kelly Kaylor led West Chicago (12-3, 4-2 DuPage Valley).
Wilmington d. Lisle 15-3, 13-15, 15-5: Jackie Rader had 10 kills for Wilmington (17-1-2, 6-0 Interstate Eight).