Payton nearly perfect in win

Payton flirted with perfection.

Lauren Lee served the opening 17 points as the Grizzlies ripped Senn 25-2, 25-5 in a Class 3A Ridgewood volleyball regional semifinal Thursday night in Norridge.

Mississippi-bound outside hitter Courtney Cunningham recorded 12 kills and four aces for the Grizzlies (33-1).

“I wish we had more games like this,” said Cunningham. “Sometimes this year we’ve had a tendency to slip down to the other team’s level, but tonight I was really pleased with how aggressive we were."

“We went right at them and never let them in the game.”

Ellyse Rodriguez had seven kills for Payton. Senn’s only two points in the opening game occurred on Payton serves smacked into the net. Roxanne Rivera recorded 14 assists and freshman sophomore Michelle Schultz had three kills and two aces.

Senn’s only offensive point in the match was on a kill by sophomore outside hitter Brianna Sails.

The Bulldogs defeated Amundsen 25-19, 22-25, 25-12 in a preliminary game.

The Grizzlies advance to Saturday’s final to play the host Rebels. Ridgewood knocked off conference rival Elmwood Park 25-21, 25-17.

Freshman Danni Rzewnicki had four kills and sophomore Katie Serpico registered 10 assists and an ace. Senior outside hitter Merry Bruns had three kills and three aces for the Rebels (15-16).