Tigers put out hit on Eagles

BETHALTO — The Big Swing is spiking the success rate for the surging Edwardsville High volleyball team.

The Tigers, proponents of powerful net play, used some heavy hitting Monday to defeat host Civic Memorial 25-20, 25-15 in a nonconference match. They accounted for 30 kills, or more than half of their points.

Edwardsville, which has won 17 in a row, is 24-2. CM is 13-12.

“We weren’t trying to do anything different tonight,” Edwardsville coach Jami Parker said of the Tigers' ample amount of slams. “That just the way it played out.”

Kayla Fitterer, a 6-foot-1 junior and Megan Sharpe, a 5-11 junior, combined for 21 kills. Fitterer led the way with 14. Sharpe, the Most Valuable Player in Saturday’s Chatham Glenwood Tournament, continues to steadily improve, Parker said.

“She had a tremendous day in the tournament. Megan had 15 kills in the title match,” Parker said.

“We’ve been working a lot with our middle hitters and our timing. And I think Kayla and Megan are working together as a tandem for us,” Parker said. “The more offensive weapons you have, the more you can spread out your offense.”

CM seemed undersized against Edwardsville, but the Eagles refused to give away any points.

“Edwardsville can jump and hit and they have two deadly players in Fitterer and Sharp,” CM coach Bill Burg said. “But we made it interesting and played hard.”

Parker said the Eagles showed their scrappy side and played with plenty of spunk.

“They had a lot of good digs and made us work for our points,” Parker said.

Kate Campbell, Karah Law, Haley Rosenkranz and Cassie Endicott of the Eagles teamed for a dozen kills and kept them within striking distance. It was 8-8 early in the first game and Edwardsville forged ahead 21-17 before putting the finishing touches on its victory.

The Tigers led 9-1 and 12-4 in the second game. CM responded with a 5-2 spree before Edwardsville tallied six of the next eight points. Those big swings made the difference.

“Most of Fitterer’s hits came from the outside, so you have to try and put your best blocker in front of her,” Burg said. “But when you put her and Sharpe together, it makes them even tougher to block.”

Nicole Ritzheimer, Kelsey Biggs, Ashton Schrage, Julie Honegger, reserve Claire Kates and Abby Hanger also contributed to the victory.

The Tigers, who haven’t lost since Sept. 1 when Triad topped them, will strive for a share of the Southwestern Conference championship Thursday at Alton. They also have to play next Tuesday at Belleville West. Collinsville and O’Fallon both are a game behind Edwardsville in the eight-team league.

“We want it (title) outright,” Parker said, mindful that Edwardsville has never snagged the conference championship. The Tigers have been playing volleyball since 1974.