Chicago Christian edges out Montini

Updated: October 12, 2011 9:43PM

Chicago Christian’s record may not scare people when the state tournament begins in a few weeks, but that doesn’t mean the Knights aren’t ready to defend their Class 2A state championship.

“I definitely think we’re ready,” said senior libero Celaine Haan. “We’re not very impressive looking stat-wise or record-wise, but I think we’ very set for the playoffs. I’m very confident in my team no matter what our record is showing.”

For the record, Chicago Christian improved to 14-14 and 3-5 in the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division by defeating Montini 25-22, 26-24 Wednesday in Lombard. Maggie Kamp had 10 kills and four aces, and Emily Lindemulder and Becky DeRuiter each had five kills.

On the record, even Maggie Kamp, whose sister Stacey was one of four players to graduate from last year’s 30-11 team, was not sure what the Knights would look like this fall.

“We have a really new team this year, so we didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “We expected ourselves to be good, and I think we are good. I think we right on track to where we need to be for the playoffs and the state tournament.

“I think we are all looking forward to getting the tournament going,” Kamp added. “We (the seniors) have been there so we know how much fun it can be, we know how exciting it can be and the level of play we need to get to.”

However, Chicago Christian must also deal with the expectations that go along with having won the title in 2010.

“Having won last year gives us a goal, it gives us something to work for, but the pressure is definitely there,” Kamp said. “We have big targets on our backs. People definitely want to beat us because were the defending champs.

“I think that’s all the more reason to play well and show them what a program is all about,” she added.

The “program” has produced four sophomores, three of whom are new to this year’s varsity roster and one veteran, Emily Workman. Workman, a backrow player last fall, had the unenviable job of replacing Sun-Times all-area selection Madison Kamp at setter.

“At this point, the younger girls know what they need to do,” Haan said. “It’s when they get down, they just need that motivation. The seniors really try to do a good job keeping the girls upbeat and positive. If they make a mistake, we encourage them to get right back in it be there ready to make the next play.

“We tell them to be twice as aggressive and not get down on themselves so the next time you can prove to our team, our coaches and our fans that you really can make that next play,” she added. “That’s our main role as captains – doing our job first and making sure they do theirs.”

Workman had 18 assists and three kills Wednesday, while another sophomore, Jessica Krygshied, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, had three kills, a block and three aces.

“Jessica was on the freshman team last year,” Chicago Christian coach James Garcia said. “The improvement that I’ve seen from her from last season on the freshman team until now has really helped us. She also has a lot of energy and she brings a lot of excitement to the game.

“When push comes to shove and we’re losing or we’re playing point-for-point, you need some young fresh blood to bring that energy level up and get the team going again,” he added.

Fresh blood Montini (10-19, 2-8) has plenty of. The Broncos started three sophomores and a freshman against Chicago Christian. Six-foot-1 sophomore middle Joyce Balash had five kills and two aces and sophomore Natalie Lopez added two kills and two aces.

The future looks bright to Montini coach Steve Dowjotas.

“Coming into the season we had 32 incoming freshmen to play volleyball,” he said. “Three are up on the sophomore team and one is starting on varsity. We ended up having two freshman teams. It’s a great base to start.

“Looking forward at the conference, everybody‘s got power hitters that are leaving and we have power hitters coming, so I am excited about the future, extremely excited about the future,” he said. “The younger girls have all grown tremendously just this season.”

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