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Murphy serves Leyden past Elmwood Park
Franklin Park 10/10/12 Elmwood Park's Maira Figueroa (4) | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 16, 2012 12:50AM
FRANKLIN PARK — The Eagles needed something to lift their spirits after Tuesday’s West Suburban Gold loss to Addison Trail.
Their solid 25-20, 25-17 nonconference victory over Elmwood Park in Franklin Park on Wednesday was just what they were looking for.
“It’s nice to get a win after a tough loss,” said head coach Danielle Kowalkowski. “It helps us forget about it and regroup as a team.”
The Eagles (10-17) certainly looked like a regrouped team in the first game against the Tigers as they quickly bounced back from an early 4-1 deficit. A block from junior Carly O’Kray (4 kills, 2 aces) spearheaded an 8-2 Eagle run. Later in the game, a devastating O’Kray spike gave Leyden a 19-16 lead, holding off a Tiger comeback that included three straight points.
“The way we played tonight is a major confidence boost for us,” said O’Kray. “I think we’re back on the right track.”
In the second game, the Tigers (5-14) had no answer for the dominating serving of junior Kelly Murphy (4 aces, 10 service points, 9 kills). With the Eagles facing a 6-3 deficit, Murphy used her serve to rattle off eight straight points.
“I was switching things up. I went short then deep, short then deep to catch them off guard,” Murphy said.
The Tigers looked disjointed as Murphy recorded four aces during the stretch. The exclamation point on the game was a spike by Murphy that gave Leyden a commanding 19-11 lead.
“It felt like we were confident out there today,” Murphy said. “We just came out and played our game.”
Leyden will compete in the Elgin tournament this weekend.
