HINSDALE -- In just over an hour on Wednesday night, Naperville North went from an uncertain team not knowing how it would perform in a hostile environment to a confident squad that picked up its first difficult win of the season.
The Huskies (1-0) defeated host Hinsdale Central (1-1) 25-22, 25-23 in a nonconference match to begin 2008.
"Going into the match we knew both teams would have the first-game jitters and we just wanted to hold our composure for two games, and we did that," North coach Jennifer Urban said. "We were able to side out when we needed to and towards the end of both games we were able to score points on our plays. We finished the last point of the second game with a kill and a block and that makes a difference down the stretch."
Three consecutive errors by the Red Devils gave the Huskies an early 9-5 lead in Game 1. But Hinsdale Central battled back to tie it at 12 with an ace and later took a 14-13 lead.
With the score tied at 22, Urban called a timeout to set up a couple of plays for the home stretch. The strategy worked as the Huskies ripped off three consecutive points to win the game.
Catie Cremin served a hard ball into the middle of the Red Devils defense that was misplayed out of bounds, clinching the opening game for North.
The Huskies came out of the gates flying in Game 2, scoring the first five points, one of which came on an ace from setter Jordan Pappas.
However, the Red Devils chipped away at the Huskies lead to forge a tie at 21. The teams traded the next few points until a Hinsdale Central player was called for an illegal touch to put the Huskies up 24-23. North finished off the match with a block.
Hinsdale Central had 11 serving errors in the two games. One of the miscues came late in Game 2 that gave the Huskies a 23-22 edge.
"We lost by a total of five points in both games and we had 11 service errors, so you can do the math on that and that is not a good ratio," Red Devils coach Sheralynn Kellough said. "We are normally a good serving team so I just said my piece tonight and we move on. We played together as a group tonight but not the best we know how to play. (North) stayed aggressive the whole game and they ran a nice balanced offense even when their backs were against the wall."
Audrey Wilson led the Huskies with eight kills while libero Julie Chin had 10 digs. Pappas added eight digs and 20 assists.
"We wanted to use this game to set the tone for the rest of the season," Wilson said. "I definitely feel like we stepped up and beat a Hinsdale Central team that is a very good team. Jordan Pappas was amazing for us tonight and I felt that we kept the intensity up whether we were up or down."
Jamie Netisingha led the Red Devils in digs (12) and aces (three). Mary Craft had six kills while Lauren Franke added four.
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