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Lincoln-Way Central overcomes slow start
Updated: October 27, 2011 9:34PM
This was for New Lenox bragging rights.
More important, Providence and Lincoln-Way Central were playing for a berth in the Class 4A sectionals.
Lincoln-Way Central overcame a sluggish start Thursday night and upset host Providence 19-25, 25-19, 25-19 in an emotionally charged match to win the Class 4A Providence Regional.
Lincoln-Way Central (26-11) was led by Danielle Dowd (12 kills, 4 aces) and Amanda Dolan (8 kills).
“We started out shaky but we worked really hard to get back into the match,” Dowd said.
“This match had so much meaning for us because the last time we played them we played scared and tonight I told them that we have nothing to lose and just leave it on the court,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Kathy Sulkowski said.
In Game 1, Providence (28-9) jumped out to a 17-11 lead. Senior Nora Mitros’ third kill of the game extended the Celtics’ lead to 20-13.
“I was excited to play this match since it was our last match on our home court,” Mitros said.
In Game 2, the roles were reversed. Providence started to commit several unforced errors while the Knights appeared to be hitting their stride.
“We kept improving our play as the match went on,” Sulkowski said.
The Knights twice reeled off four straight points in taking a 20-14 lead. Dowd finished off the Celtics by scoring three of the Knights’ final five points on kills.
“I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me in the first game but I did my best,” Dowd said.
In Game 3, consecutive aces by Providence’s Lacey Hill tied things at 16-16.
Dowd’s 12th kill of the match gave the Knights a 19-17 lead, and she dashed any comeback hopes by serving three consecutive aces for a 24-17 lead.
“If we keep playing like this we can do it,” Sulkowski said. “I don’t want the season to end and they don’t either and they are willing to fight for it.”
Providence got contributions from Alyssa Podwell (10 kills), Mitros (9 kills, ace) and Hill (5 kills, 2 aces).
“It really comes down to passing,” Providence coach Rachel Ellingson said. “They passed better than us and executed on their hits. They have a nice program.”
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