INDEPENDENCE—The Independence volleyball team has some lofty goals for the 2017 season, which includes a deep run in the Division III playoffs. To prepare for that postseason run, head coach Megan Osysko put together a schedule that will test her players and challenge them to consistently play at a high level.
The Blue Devils aced their first pop quiz on Wednesday with a 3-0 sweep of visiting Kenston, a Division I program.
“For this team, it was a good test,” Osysko said. “Kenston is obviously a very reputable program so we were pumped to get them on their schedule. It was a good win for us early. It will give us some good momentum.”
Independence generated that momentum early as it built an 18-5 lead in the first set on the way to a 25-11 win.
“I would say the first match we did really well serving and kept them out of system,” Osysko said. “We didn’t really get much back from them in that first match, so that was good. I attribute that a lot to our serving.”
Kenston got off to a hot start in the second game but the Blue Devils rallied to win 25-22. They closed out the sweep with a 25-16 win in the third set.
“We knew they weren’t going away and they were a little more aggressive with their serving in games two and three,” Osysko said. “We just focused on distributing to all our hitters. When we were down we were only really pushing to one hitter.”
Senior Maura Collins led the Blue Devils with 13 kills while Kalli Screptock and Katie Taliaferro both recorded nine and Grace Smotek and Katie May each contributed with six.
The Blue Devils combined for 49 kills in three sets as the setters found ways to spread the wealth.
“That’s what we struggled with in the past, always out-letting to one player,” Osysko said. “Now it’s nice that we almost have five hitters on the court at all times.”
May recorded 42 assists in the match.
The Blue Devils were equally impressive on defense in recording 55 digs.
Maddy Bilinovic led the team with 18 and also posted a team-high with three service aces. Screptock dug 10 balls and Smotek and Collins both had seven.
“That’s what we practice,” Osysko said of the defensive hustle. “We practice usually without a block, so they’re forced to go down and get the ball.”
Independence improved to 4-0 overall with a trip to Chagrin Valley Conference rival West Geauga on Thursday’s schedule.
