INDEPENDENCE—Gilmour Academy’s Katie Forsythe opened Wednesday’s non-conference showdown at Independence with a violent kill that would have rattled most opponents.
The host Blue Devils didn’t flinch and went on to win the match, 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-22.
“I’m just so happy for the girls,” said Independence coach Megan Osysko. “They’ve been working super hard and it’s just another step on that progression on where we want to go. With all the news about Gilmour going up to Division II, we knew we weren’t going to see them down the road so this was our chance to prove a point and I think we did that.”
Ranked No. 8 in the latest Division II state coaches’ poll, Gilmour entered the match 10-0 with a 12-match winning streak over the Blue Devils dating back to 2007. During that stretch, the Lancers had won 36 of 43 sets.
The Lancers defeated the Blue Devils in the regional championship match in 2007, the regional semifinals in 2013 and the district final in 2015.
Osysko was a senior on that 2007 Independence squad.
“It’s very sweet,” Osysko said about her first win over Gilmour. “It’s a good feeling. I’ve had revenge on my mind ever since we lost to them in the 2007 regionals my senior year.”
Senior Maura Collins finally earned a win over Gilmour after failing in her first four tries.
“That was definitely one of my goals, to at least take them to five, if not beat them,” Collins said. “The fact that we almost swept them, I think everyone in the gym was in awe. Everyone believed in us but I don’t think anyone really thought that we could take it in four and play as well as we did against a team of that caliber. To do it my senior year, with a young team behind me, I think that’s incredible and that shows what potential they have after I leave.”
Independence regrouped after Forsythe’s first kill and the Blue Devils went on to scoop up nearly every other ball hit by the Lancers and their dynamic duo of Forsythe, who recently committed to play at Division I Towson University, and Ella Grbac, a Northwestern University recruit.
Sophomore Maddy Bilinovic recorded 36 of Independence’s season high 92 digs. The Blue Devils’ previous high was 68 digs in a win over Revere.
“We had a game plan and we didn’t veer off too much from that,” Osysko said. “The girls executed everything we needed them to do. The block was getting set up so strong for us that Maddy was able to read around it. That was a huge part of it. We were ready to touch the ball at the net and our defense was there to pick it up.”
Collins and sophomore Kalli Screptock recorded 15 and 14 digs, respectively. Sophomore Katie Taliaferro blocked a team-high three balls while Collins had two and freshman Grace Smotek posted one.
Smotek led the team with 19 kills while Collins had 18.
“I think this sets the tone for where we want to go,” Osysko said. “I would hope that we would have an edge on us now, but it’s a long season and we still have a ways to go.”
While it might be hard for Independence to play with the same level of intensity throughout the rest of the regular season, the Blue Devils still have plenty of inspiration.
Wednesday’s game was a benefit fundraiser in honor of teammate Mia Coudriet, who has been battling Cancer and recently was declared to be in remission.
“Mia is a huge part of this program, whether or not she’s on the court or what team she’s on,” Collins said. “All 14 of us played out there for her, JV and varsity. That was all about her. This is about her fight. We were fighting because she fights every day and doesn’t give up and she’s back out here playing faster than anyone thought she would.”
Independence (8-0) travels to league rival Beachwood on Thursday.
