NORMAL -- One word pretty much sums up Burlington Central's performance against Chicago Payton in the first Class 3A semifinal match at Redbird Arena on Friday.
Domination.
The Rockets, appearing Downstate for the first time in program history, posted a more-than-convincing 25-19, 25-12 victory over the Grizzlies to advance to tonight's title match against powerful Joliet Catholic -- an opponent it lost to in three games earlier this season.
"I've been coaching a long time and been a part of many great teams and this is really special," said Central's Marv Leavitt, who has coached for 19 seasons, including the last four at BC. "Many people look at us and say we are too short and they count us out and I just don't think you can count us out.
"We just have so much heart and I'm so proud of these girls."
Central (35-6) controlled the tempo of the match from the start. The Rockets, who set a school record for wins, raced out to an early 8-3 lead in Game 1 behind the serving of senior Meghan Zasada, who reeled off five straight service points during the spurt including two aces.
"I just went back there and did what I know how to do," Zasada said. "I took a deep breath and just served. I just trust my coach. He gave me the zones and I just put it in play."
Central's advantage in Game 1 grew to as much as 11-6 before junior Stephanie Holthus began to make her presence felt. Holthus, who entered the State Finals with 495 kills -- most among qualifying teams -- tallied her first kill to give Central a 12-6 lead.
Holthus (17 kills) would go on to record 10 kills in the opening game, which ended with an ace by Zasada that tipped the top of the net and fell untouched onto the court.
"I think it was just nerves," said Holthus of her slow start. "When you walk on that court half your school is sitting there and there are so many people watching. I've played a lot of games and this was the most nervous I've ever been before a game."
Speaking of nerves, the Grizzlies were definitely feeling it after dropping Game 1. Sensing that, Central wasted little time putting away Payton in Game 2, never once allowing Payton to take a lead or gain any sort of momentum.
"Everyone just played solid tonight," said Central senior setter Molly Turk, who finished with 18 assists, three kills and seven digs. "We knew exactly what we had to do."
Central led 9-6 in Game 2 before piecing together a 7-0 run that all but finished off the Grizzlies. The match finally ended, fittingly, with a kill by Holthus, on an assist by Turk.
"We were just focused," said Central junior Taylor Scully, who won a state title in Florida last year before transferring. "This is so much better (compared to last year). The girls are so much closer together. We all wanted to win this game."
Zasada finished with four aces, while Scully added four kills and six digs.
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