Warriors finding their identity

Updated: September 12, 2011 7:29PM

Four years ago, Lincoln-Way West’s volleyball program was born in almost complete anonymity.

The players attended classes at Lincoln-Way Central but competed on a different freshman team representing Lincoln-Way West athletics.

“We couldn’t have West (on the uniforms). We were like bizarro Lincoln-Way, with no colors, no mascot,” Warriors coach Rory Harrison said, laughing.

Four years later, everybody knows who they are.

Returning a handful of regulars from last year’s 25-8 squad, the Warriors are off to a 9-0 start. Over the weekend, they swept through the field at the Rich South Invitational, beating Eisenhower in the championship match, 25-19, 25-27, 25-8,

Sarah Wegrzyn led the way for West with 40 kills, 18 aces and seven blocks over the five matches. There were plenty of other heroes, though, including Caleigh Galvan (40 assists, 19 kills, 27 digs), Rachel Johnson (29 digs, 20 kills, 10 blocks) and Annie Wegrzyn (24 kills, 41 digs).

West also defeated Crete-Monee, Thornwood, Bradley and Tinley Park. Last year’s title-match opponent, Illiana Christian, moved on to a different tournament in Effingham.

“I was looking when we got the seeding and saw that Illiana was gone,” Harrison said. “That was a really good Class 3A match-up for us. But Bradley was there with their team, Eisenhower looked good and Tinley Park looked OK. So we had some good challenges, and had some chances to get some other kids in.”

The Warriors have a different look in 2011, following the graduation of All-Area setter Sarah Garvick.

“We’re running a 6-2 with Kelly Staack and Caleigh (as setters), and the girls have had to adjust to that,” Harrison said. “Caleigh is new to setting in general, but she’s doing a great job. Her leadership skills are impeccable.”

Therese Schultz also has emerged as an effective second middle.

“Therese played club this past season and came back with a lot more court experience,” Harrison said. “She is very fast, very quick, and is fine holding the block. She did a great job in preseason and really has put up a nice wall for us in the front row.

“All the girls are working very hard. I’ve never seen a team jell like this. I’ve coached a lot of club teams, a lot of high school teams, and these girls play to win. That’s nice to have.”

The battle continues

No. 1 Marist and host No. 2 Mother McAuley are to meet tonight for the 15th time since 2005.

During the regular season, it’s been pretty much all Marist. The RedHawks are 7-2 against the Mighty Macs, including 2-0 in 2010.

During the postseason, Mother McAuley has won four of five meetings, with Marist finally breaking through in the 2010 Class 4A Shepard Sectional final.

The “Battle of Mount Greenwood” never gets old, according to Marist’s Ashley Holder.

“You would think it might, but every year it’s a new team and a new challenge,” said Holder, a senior. “That’s always how I look at it. It’s always exciting to go out there with a new team, and meet their new team.”

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