Some things never change.
With an identical score to last year’s first-round contest, regional host and defending Class AA state champion Downers Grove South defeated Hinsdale Central 15-6, 15-1 Tuesday.
After falling behind 1-0 in Game 1, the top-ranked Mustangs (33-2) made short work of Hinsdale Central (10-22), going on a 12-1 run.
Senior outside hitter Emily Smith served up six of Downers South’s 10 aces in the match, including three straight in Game 2 to help her team jump out to a 10-0 lead.
“I think that all the kids have been working on their serving and as you keep playing harder and harder teams down the road, you need to have those extra points,” Downers South coach Denise Lazzeroni-Kavanaugh said. “They always come in handy.”
In other regional action, Kelley Johnson had six kills and six blocks to help Neuqua Valley (22-10) rally from an 8-2 deficit in Game 1 and tip Hinsdale South 16-14, 15-10. Neuqua Valley will face Downers South in the regional finals on Thursday.
Buffalo Grove: Kathleen Nowicki served up five aces to lead Buffalo Grove (26-10) in a 15-4, 15-6 victory over Highland Park (12-18). . . . Christine Smeele turned in 15 kills to help Stevenson (28-8) top Grayslake 15-6, 15-8.
Hersey: No. 7 Hersey (32-4) rolled past Notre Dame 15-2, 15-3 as Janet Goreham had six kills.
Libertyville: Libertyville (25-11) downed Vernon Hills 15-7, 15-5 behind Jenny AuBuchon’s nine kills and Lindsey Harwood’s 23 assists.
Marian Catholic: Liz Kane collected 17 assists and six aces to lead Marian Catholic (24-12) over Rich Central 15-2, 15-4.
Mother McAuley: Maddie Barron served up seven aces to pace No. 4 Mother McAuley (30-5) to a 15-0, 15-3 defeat of Thornton.
Mundelein: Jennifer Hynes’ 10 kills and Whitney Tortorello’s four aces led Mundelein (26-10) to a 15-6, 15-10 defeat of Wheeling (5-29).
Naperville North: Katie Bruzbzinski had 10 kills to lift No. 9 Naperville North (32-3-1) to a 15-2, 15-12 win over Glenbard West (8-29). . . . York (21-13-2) downed Wheaton Warrenville South 15-9, 15-9 as Megan O’Connor and Laura Bresnahan had 11 kills each.
Prairie Ridge: Maggie Haen recorded six kills as No. 5 Prairie Ridge (34-2) defeated Grant 15-5, 15-2.
Providence: Renata Dargan notched 17 assists and six kills as No. 2 Providence topped Tinley Park 15-5, 15-2. . . . Cheryl Przychodni’s 12 kills sparked Mt. Assisi to a 15-6, 15-3 victory over Joliet.
Queen of Peace: Queen of Peace (20-16) cruised to a 15-3, 15-0 victory over Mother Guerin (10-16) behind Megan Sullivan’s 10 aces.