One of the goals of Lincoln-Way Central’s Toni Leitshuh this season is to help nurture the volleyball talents of some promising underclassmen.
Three sophomores represented half of Lincoln-Way Central’s starting lineup in Monday’s tough but encouraging 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 season-opening loss to visiting Montini.
“Our starters are either seniors or sophomores,” the Gannon University-bound senior said. “We have to bring the sophomores up to our level. They’re doing very well for their age.”
Success as a senior leader would allow Leitshuh to fulfill another one of her goals: To finish off her high school career the way she started it.
As a freshman and sophomore, the 5-foot-9 outside hitter enjoyed many a victory celebration, as the Knights went 29-9 and 29-8. Last season was much different — and not nearly as much fun.
Leitshuh put up solid numbers with 259 kills and 82 blocks and had a sterling dig accuracy of 221-of-239, but the Knights finished 12-20.
“We were just adjusting to some different people,” Leitshuh said. “It was tough, definitely not what I was used to. But I feel we can get back to where we were the first two years I was here.”
Leitshuh led the way in Monday’s opener with nine kills. Senior Abby Gorecki added six kills, while sophomore Kylie Kulinski had 23 assists and senior Riley Recker 22 digs.
Central pulled out a tight Game 1 with a 4-1 flurry, two of the points coming on kills by Leitshuh.
“Toni is my go-to hitter,” Kulinski said. “All I have to do is get the ball up there and she can pretty much get a kill every time. It’s nice having her out there on the court.”
The Knights showed resilience in Game 2, rallying from 20-16 down to a 23-all tie after Leitshuh smashed a kill off of a Montini block. A hitting error by Central and a tip for kill by Montini’s Bryanna Crouch (4 kills) thwarted the comeback.
Montini, which finished fourth in Class 3A in 2014, then raced to an 11-2 lead in Game 3. The Broncos prevailed behind the power hitting of Bethany Loftus (9 kills, 6 digs), but not until Central made a game of it with two more impressive rallies.
“We can definitely get there,” said Gorecki, a 6-1 middle hitter. “We showed in the first game that we know how to (close out). Throughout the season — maybe even later this week — we can show that we have what it takes (to win).”
Second-year Knights coach Jodi Frigo, meanwhile, sees a group of 10 underclassmen, led by Kirsten Peters, Hannah Stacy and Kulinski, as being on the fast track to success.
“These girls are gym rats,” she said. “I often have to tell them it’s time to go, time to get out of the gym. They arrive to practice 45 minutes early and meet on their own to condition.
“They are a coach’s dream team. If their skills can catch up to their effort and heart, we will do well.”
Lincoln-Way North 25-25, Morris 19-19: Allyson Cappel totaled 10 kills and eight digs to guide visiting Lincoln-Way North (1-0). Samantha Ritter added 12 assists for the Phoenix.
Tinley Park 25-25, Homewood-Flossmoor 20-23: Kasey Brennan had seven kills, five digs and two aces to lift visiting Tinley Park (1-0). The victory was the 100th for Titans coach Lee Rucinski.
Boys Soccer
Crete-Monee 2, Grant Park 0: Goals by Timothy Whittler and Koran Spencer lifted host Crete-Monee (1-0) in the River Valley/Southland Challenge.
Plainfield South 3, Lincoln-Way Central 1: Sean Curran scored on an assist from Brock Krohe to aid visiting Lincoln-Way Central (0-1).
Illinois Lutheran 9, Rich East 1: Cameron Borns netted a hat trick and Josh Cullens (assist) tacked on a pair of goals to power host Illinois Lutheran (1-0) in the River Valley/Southland Challenge.
Beecher 7, Kankakee 0: Tylar Swanson’s three goals sparked Beecher (1-0) in the River Valley/Southland Challenge. Alex Ranger and Jacob Jones each chipped in two assists for the Bobcats at Crete-Monee.
Boys Golf
Lemont 148, Richards 171: Co-medalists Matt Grasman and Matt Retzke carded 36s for Lemont in the South Suburban crossover at Stony Creek.
Oak Forest 165, Eisenhower 200: Oak Forest teammates Alex Holewa and Pat O’Donnell (40 each) shared top individual honors in the South Suburban crossover at The Meadows.
Lincoln-Way East 171, Oswego 173: Victor Perez fired a team-best 41 for Lincoln-Way East (2-2). Craig Schlegel, of Oswego, was the medalist by virtue of his 40 at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol.
Shepard 175, T.F. South 216: Shepard’s Joe Newhall shot a 40 to lead the competition in the South Suburban crossover at Waters Edge.
Girls Golf
Lemont 185, West Aurora 203: Lemont’s Jennifer Lorenz (45) was the medalist at Broken Arrow.
Girls Tennis
Oak Forest 4, Marian Catholic 1: Maya Maslovska (No. 1) and Danielle Murawski (No. 2) won at singles for visiting Oak Forest (1-0).
Josh Krockey is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
