Vikings on a mission

Geneva steps closer to conference crown

GENEVA - Overlook no one.

That's been the mantra for the Geneva High School volleyball team in its pursuit of another Western Sun Conference title and the players didn't have to be reminded Tuesday, not with Sycamore coming to town.

"It was a big game for conference, so I'm glad we won it," senior Kelsey Augustine said following the Vikings' 25-17, 25-19 victory.

"They're a good team. They're always a threat to us so we want to prepare ourselves for them every year."

The Spartans fell to 24-4 overall and 10-2 in the league with both their losses at the hands of the Vikings.

Geneva, 25-2 overall, remains perfect in the Western Sun at 11-0 with three matches remaining: Thursday at Kaneland with home dates next Tuesday and Thursday against Rochelle and Batavia, respectively.

"Nothing's wrapped up yet," said Geneva coach K.C. Johnsen. "Those will be tough matches."

Sycamore was hanging tough in Tuesday's opening game, even after junior middle Evyn McCoy went out when her back stiffened up. The Spartans pulled within 18-17 on a kill by outside hitter Brittany Olson but the Vikings closed it out with a seven-point run keyed by Augustine, Alexa Sommer and junior setter Brooke Morphis.

A Morphis kill returned the serve to Geneva. Morphis was up and she reeled off six straight points, assisting on four of them. Sommer had two kills, Augustine three and got the other point on a block.

"I thought Kelsey had a tremendous night with 13 kills," Johnsen said of his 6-foot-1 middle.

Geneva opened a 24-14 lead in the second game but Sycamore rallied to within 24-19 on a five-point run keyed by the serving of senior Sarah Verkler. Just when it was getting interesting, though, Verkler's service error handed the game, and match, to the Vikings.

Senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski added 10 kills and Sommer seven with Morphis piling up a career-high 32 assists. Wicinski had 12 digs and libero Grace Burns 11.

"They were on a mission tonight," Johnsen said of his team. "They knew this was a big match because Sycamore is always one of the top teams in the conference. We have a lot of respect for Sycamore. If they were to come in here and get this one that really makes the conference up for grabs." Girls Volleyball |

Geneva dEF. Sycamore 25-17, 25-19