New Trier escapes close call to defeat Evanston

 

Anytime that New Trier and Evanston get together the teams records can be thrown out the window.

The long and storied history between two of the biggest schools in the north shore has given fans some epic battles over the years, and Tuesday night’s contest in a humid Beardsley Gym was no different.

The Wildkits had upset on their minds as they faced the joint CSL South leaders, but the balanced attack of the Trevians proved to be too much as they defeated Evanston 26-24, 25-15.

The first set was was a back and forth affair throughout which saw 13 ties in the frame. After some early sideout volleyball, New Trier pulled ahead 11-7 thanks to two kills and an ace from OH Maddie McGregor.  

Evanston clawed their way back to tie it at 13 a piece, courtesy of a couple of kills from Rosemary Gibbons.  Evanston then proceeded to take the lead 16-14, after a stuff block by Gibbons which forced a New Trier timeout.

New Trier managed to tie the game at 17 and from that point on, neither team was able to claim more than a one point advantage for the rest of the set.

On set point for New Trier at 24-23, Evanston’s Souadou Bangoura took advantage of a scrambling New Trier defense to calmly set a ball for a kill that landed a foot from the end line to tie the match at 24.

Not to be out, New Trier regained their advantage to give them another set point opportunity after a scramble play which eventually ended in an Evanston hitting error.

New Trier finally took set one 26-24, thanks to right side hitter Grace Kapsimalis sending an Evanston overpass to the floor.

After a few close calls in set one, New Trier seemed to settle in during the second frame. The Trevians raced out to a 12-5 lead courtesy of a six point serving run from junior middle Gillian Klise.

Evanston did show some resilience, fighting back to force a New Trier timeout out at 16-10, but the Trevians proved to be too much for the Wildkits as they comfortably closed out the set to take the match.

With the loss Evanston drops to 2-2 in conference and will be home on Thursday to face Glenbrook South.

New Trier improves to 4-0 setting up a match for the conference lead this Thursday with the 4-0 Niles West Wolves.