Schultz leads Payton past Jones

Updated: October 13, 2011 10:05PM

Michelle Schultz knew she needed to make a play. She made two.

The star Payton outside hitter smashed two crucial kills, including the game-winner, that nullified a furious Jones rally and powered the defending city champion Grizzlies past the Eagles 25-7, 25-23 in the semifinals of the Public League volleyball tournament Thursday at Young.

Schultz had six of her eight kills in the second game for the Grizzlies (19-12).

Behind Irmina Swiostek’s two aces and three kills by outside hitter Kathleen Kurtenbach, the Eagles scored six consecutive points to pull even at 22 in the second game. On the following point Schultz rose up and drilled a winner down the Eagles’ left baseline to end the run. Payton went up 24-22 after a Jones’ player was ruled in the net.

After a Jones side out, Schultz ended the match by powering a blast from the end line that skipped off a Jones’ player for the match point.

“I just knew at that point that I needed to step up and make a play,” Schultz said.

Schultz is a four-year starter and played on two Grizzlies teams that captured Class 3A fourth-place trophies. “We have a good mix of players, of mostly juniors and seniors, and it’s great to be on a team that really wants to win,” she said.

Sophomore setter Alyssa Estrada had 15 assists for the Grizzlies.

“I had a rough game [Tuesday in the quarterfinals], and I went home and thought about the great things I’ve been able to do this year and I just came in with the attitude that I was going to play my heart out,” Estrada said.

Senior middle hitter Kaimara Herron added six kills and three blocks for Payton. Senior Theodora Peric added four kills, three blocks and an ace for the Grizzlies, who avenged a loss to Eagles during conference play.

Kurtenbach registered all seven of her team-high kills in the second game for the Eagles (19-12). Junior outside hitter Sandra Koch added four kills and two aces for Jones.

Payton advances to play the host Dolphins, who routed Von Steuben 25-10, 25-8. Junior outside hitter Hanna Lee, a University of Cincinnati recruit, had seven kills for the Dolphins (26-2).

Lee recorded three consecutive kills, part of a 7-0 Dolphins’ run, in the first game, a stark illustration of the Dolphins’ powerful front line the Panthers had no answer for. “We came out with a lot of energy right at the start, and I think that was very important to setting the tone,” Lee said.

The Dolphins’ most versatile player, senior Jenna Jacobson, was everywhere. The University of Pittsburgh-recruit had five kills, three blocks, two aces and 17 assists for the Dolphins. “That’s just the way I play, I wanted to be all over and really make my presence felt out there,” Jacobson said.

Senior Madisen Lenzini had seven kills, three blocks and two aces for Young. Junior outside hitter Danielle Schroeder added five kills for the Dolphins. “This was one of our best performances of the year,” Young coach Jamie Walters said. “We served well, we passed and hit well. I was very pleased.”

Emma Brookman had two kills and a block for the Panthers (13-12).

Young beat Payton 27-25, 25-13 in its regular-season match.

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