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Austin leads Joliet Central by Lincoln-Way West
Updated: October 3, 2011 9:24PM
It was Senior Night at Lincoln-Way West High School on Monday for a SouthWest Suburban crossover battle between the host Warriors and Joliet Central.
But it was a junior’s night when it counted the most.
Joliet Central’s T’ara Austin stunned the Warriors twice with big plays at the end of Games 2 and 3 to lead the Steelmen to a 22-25, 26-24, 25-21 victory.
“Never. Never. We will never quit any game,” Austin said after her kill put the match to rest. Earlier, she had denied Lincoln-Way West a Game 2 point by putting down a spike to draw her team even at 24.
Back-to-back ace serves by Lizette Gonzalez forced the third set.
Startling Joliet Central comebacks have happened before, according to Austin, but not against a team the caliber of Lincoln-Way West.
“Every time we lose our first game we always keep going,” she said. “I just said, ‘We’re playing a tough team (in West), but we’re playing just as hard as they are. So we can do it.’ ”
Austin finished with 15 kills and seven blocks. Lizzie Ward (6 kills), Jada Green (5 kills), Gonzalez (5 kills, 16 assists), Emily Malone (14 assists) and Kelsey Frain (7 digs) also led the way for Joliet Central (16-7).
Sarah Wegrzyn had seven kills, Rachel Johnson six kills and 12 digs, Caleigh Galvan 15 assists and seven kills, Annie Wegrzyn nine digs and Kelly Staack 18 assists for Lincoln-Way West (14-7).
It was the third straight loss for the Warriors, who saw a 23-20 lead slip away in Game 2 and an 18-15 advantage melt down in Game 3.
“Volleyball is a game of mistakes. It’s all about the choices you make,” West coach Rory Harrison said. “I think that sticking to the game plan is something that we need to work on.”
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