A strong defensive effort in the final regular-season match was just what Triton College volleyball coach
Thomas Malesky planned – and received – in tuning up for the Trojans' Region IV tourney opener Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. against top-seeded Waubonsee Community College. The game will be played at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.
Triton defeated visiting South Suburban College 25-16, 19-25, 25-22, 21-25 and 15-12 in five sets during an "intense" match duplicating a playoff atmosphere Nov. 5 in River Grove. The eighth-seeded Trojans will need to duplicate that effort against the Chiefs.
"We made a little adjustment on defense," said Malesky. "We started out with our normal rotation, then we switched to perimeter. That seemed to work out well for us. We'll be able to do that more comfortably this weekend."
The strong finish earned the Trojans a day off before practice resumed Thursday. Malesky plans to have a walk through when the team reconvenes Friday in advance of early first serve on Saturday.
Malesky's message will be simple to his players going up against a solid Waubonsee squad.
"You have nothing to lose," he said. "Go have a good time. It's a time to show what you have accomplished. There's no pressure. They'll be fine if they do that."
Setter
Frankie Annunzio, a Ridgewood alum, believes the South Suburban College victory was perfect preparation for the Chiefs.
"It was the absolute best way, especially for our morale, because we hadn't been winning as much as we would like to," Annunzio said. "We definitely came together. It was the best possible outcome we could have had.
"Our energy and how much we trusted each other on the court" were the top two qualities Annunzio said the Trojans could take into the tourney.
As a team, the Trojans needed to form their tightest bond against such a tough opponent on a neutral site.
"It will be even more difficult not having our fans like we always have," Annunzio said. "They're really good kids who out and watch us. They're always there cheering for us. It will definitely be an 'us' thing where we have to keep our energy up 24-7 and play our best game."
Team captain
Leah Rettke, a Riverside-Brookfield product, said the pre-match goal of creating momentum going into the playoffs was achieved.
"We're going to have to step up our game a lot," she said. "We have to make sure the other team doesn't get on runs. For me, I have to be positive, work hard and be motivated the entire game."
Middle hitter
Sumeja Hodzic (Proviso East) and tallest Trojan at 6-feet, said the season finale was an indicator of how her team will play Saturday.
"We're really going to be focusing on honing our skills, getting to know each other and also playing together for the next upcoming season," Hodzic said.
Triton finished 9-21 overall in the regular season.
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