Eisenhower takes first postseason step
Updated: October 24, 2011 9:14PM
Providence’s players used Monday’s Class 4A regional quarterfinal between Eisenhower and T.F. North as a chance to learn a little bit about the winners before meeting them in Tuesday’s semifinals.
Eisenhower’s Michelle Garcia said the Cardinals used the No. 3 Celtics’ presence in the grandstands as a motivational tool of their own.
“It just makes us want to work harder,” she said. “We want to prove that we can be better than them. We want to beat them.”
Thanks to their 25-12, 25-14 victory over T.F. North, they’ll have the chance.
Eisenhower (19-10) and Providence (27-8) are to meet in the second of two semifinals. Lincoln-Way Central (24-11) and Shepard (16-8) are to meet in the first semi at 5:30 p.m.
Rebecca Romero and Germeisha McGee had four kills each, Karliegh Krchmery three kills, Danielle Salinas three aces, Stephanie Garnica eight assists and Emily Arenas seven assists for Eisenhower.
T.F. North (6-25) was paced by Biana Ruiz (9 assists), Devin Luster (3 kills) and DauRiauna Bruce (3 kills).
Providence didn’t get to see a whole lot. Eisenhower coach Stan Natonek didn’t play his top hitter (Krchmery) in Game 1, and the Cardinals in general were much sloppier than they were in Thursday’s key South Suburban Red victory over Shepard.
T.F. North, which had lost to Eisenhower twice during the regular season, led 9-7 in Game 2 before a kill by Krchmery and an ace serve by Angie Ronspies began a turnaround. Salinas had lengthy serving streaks in both games that helped the Cardinals create some distance.
She also helped create an opportunity to spring one of the postseason’s early major upsets.
“I’m really excited,” Krchmery said of the upcoming match against Providence. “I think we have a good shot this year, I really do. If we come out and play our game, I think we can do it.”
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