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McAuley a ‘complete’ success against Downers South
Updated: August 31, 2011 8:03PM
No one in particular stood out for Mother McAuley in Wednesday’s 25-8, 25-7 romp over visiting Downers Grove South.
But the reason was a good one: Just about every Mighty Mac who touched the ball did something constructive with it.
“It was a nice effort,” McAuley coach Jen DeJarld said. “A complete effort. And we got every single person in. That’s always a nice feeling.
“Our goal today, after this last week of playing, was to focus on our side and have fun and talk and just learn to play together as a team.”
On this day, it was mission accomplished.
Lizzy Scanlon had eight digs and six kills, Ryann Arundel five assists and four kills, Lauren Grady five kills, Bridget Powell 10 digs, Mary Kate Mixan six digs and Courtney Joyce 14 assists and seven digs as the No. 6 Mighty Macs improved to 2-1.
“Things are starting to come together a lot more,” Scanlon said. “It was a really great team effort. We were all communicating really well and all playing our positions well.”
It most definitely was a different McAuley team than the one that had more bad moments than good in a season-opening loss to Joliet Catholic and had to rally from behind in both games Tuesday against Lockport.
“I think they just want it so bad that they start overanalyzing it, thinking too much,” DeJarld said of McAuley’s typically uneven start to the season. “It’s so internal, when they just have to play and have fun. This team tonight is the one that I’ve been practicing with.”
McAuley came out swinging, and in both games burst out to 9-2 leads. The Macs used a variety of elements, from power hits by Scanlon, Arundel and Lauren Grady, solid back-row defense by Powell and Mixan, and consistent setting and smart misdirection tipping by Joyce.
Joyce, a sophomore, put down three tips for kill, helping further befuddle Downers South’s already-struggling defense. Just as important, though, her sets were finding their target, making for a overall crisp McAuley offense.
“I’m just starting to get the hang of the team,” she said. “This is the first time I’m playing with a lot of these girls. But as the games go on I feel like I’m connecting better with all of my hitters. Wherever I put the set, I trust that it’s going to go down”
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