After falling behind Von Steuben early, Evanston rallied to for a 15-9, 15-1 victory in Friday’s Evanston sectional semifinal and are now one win away from its first trip to the state finals.
The sixth-ranked Wildkits meet Niles West, 15-6, 15-7 winners over Mather, in Saturday’s sectional title game. Evanston beat Niles West 15-11, 15-11 last Thursday.
“We’ve been practicing for Evanston because we knew if we’re going to get anywhere, that’s who we’d have to beat,” said Niles West coach Jenifer Sinnicki. “So in practice we’ve been simulating Evanston’s attack.”
“(We’re) not intimidated at all by Evanston. The last time we were in here we played them point for point, so we know we can beat them.”
Evanston tallied the final five points of Game 1 and then opened Game 2 scoring the first six points as the host Wildkits (30-6) defeated Von Steuben (15-10).
Jeremy Hoff had seven kills and three aces and Adris Lizenberg added 18 assists for the victors. Von Steuben, which had its most succesful postseason ever, finishes its season at 15-10.
“The first part of the game was uneventful for us cause we weren’t taking Von Steuben seriously,” said Evanston coach Mike Hulett. “So I read them the riot act when we were up 10-9. We were playing down to their level and in my opinion we are a much more polished team than they are.”
