Giurin and Bunn provide 1-2 punch for Bengals over Joliet West

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Updated: November 30, 2011 12:23AM

It wasn’t pretty for Plainfield East girls volleyball coach Kathleen Mixan and her Bengals, but they’ll take the result.

East held off host Joliet West 25-23, 28-26 in a spirited match as Alexis Giurin had six kills, three aces and two blocks and teammate Justine Bunn added four blocks and two kills.

“We just had a tournament, and so we did not play anywhere near the way that we can, but I am proud of them,” Mixan said. “I am trying to bring the South Side (of Chicago) to Plainfield East, since I coached at (Mother) McAuley and St. Rita for seven years. We just need to cut down on the stupid errors, but we are improving.”

Neither team lead by more than four points at any point in Game 1. Consecutive kills by Kailey Foster gave Joliet West a 20-16 lead. Plainfield East fought back to tie the game at 21 on a tip-kill by Bunn, then extended the lead on a pair of aces from Giurin.

“It was intense out there,” Giurin said. “It felt like we all came together today out on the court. We will have our moments, but then someone always does something to pick us back up.”

Plainfield East (3-3) began Game 2 right where it left off as Lauren Houbolt delivered two aces. Elexis Coleman (4 kills, 2 blocks) brought the Tigers back to even at 6 when her tip-kill beat the Bengals’ blockers at the net.

Joliet West (1-6) seized the momentum in the game — aided by several unforced return and service errors by the Bengals — and subsequently built an 18-13 lead after a Jalyn Vertin kill.

Plainfield East responded with some of its best volleyball of the match. Consecutive aces by Marissa Villarrubia and consecutive kills by Gabriel Williams were part of a 5-0 run that tied the match at 18.

“Every game matters. We just had to fight for every point tonight,” Giurin said.

A Bunn kill gave the Bengals a 26-25 lead, only to see them give it back on the next point with a service error. Joliet West then returned the favor on consecutive return errors that provided the Bengals with the victory.

“We had a lot of unforced errors and service errors tonight, and things that you need to be able to execute in order to win matches like this,” Joliet West coach Alan Mart said.

Joliet Central 25-25, East Aurora 1-12: Kelsey Frain had 13 service points and five aces for host Joliet Central (5-2). T’ara Austin added five kills for the Steelmen.

Neuqua Valley 23-26-25, Plainfield Central 25-24-19: Taryn Trubich recorded 22 assists and three aces for visiting Plainfield Central (2-4).

Ottawa Marquette 25-25, Seneca 18-18: Allison Coughlin had nine assists and Coley Baker added eight kills for host Seneca (1-1).

Boys Soccer

Plainfield Central 4, Providence 1: Eddie Rios had two goals for visiting Plainfield Central (2-1-1).

Boys Golf

Minooka 152, Romeoville 188: Medalist Kent Hudson shot a 1-over 37 for Minooka in the Southwest Prairie dual at Heritage Bluffs Golf Club in Channahon. Matt Benn led Romeoville with a 46.

Lincoln-Way North 166, T.F. South 208: Lincoln-Way North’s Matt Juskie was the medalist with a 4-over 40 at Balmoral Woods Country Club in Crete.

Andrew 193, Bolingbrook 201: The medalist was Bolingbrook’s Adam D’Virgilio, who shot a 44 in the SouthWest Suburban crossover at Silver Lake Country Club’s North Course in Orland Park.

Plainfield Central 169, Oswego East 177: Plainfield Central’s Mitch Young and Oswego East’s Austin Hwang tied for medalist honors with 40s in the Southwest Prairie meet at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego.

Plainfield South 161, Plainfield East 178: Matt Ward, of Plainfield South, posted a 37 to capture medalist honors in the Southwest Prairie dual at Wedgewood Golf Course in Joliet.

Girls Golf

Lincoln-Way West 202, Bolingbrook 231: Medalist Alexis Biedrzycki shot a 34 to pace Lincoln-Way West in the SouthWest Suburban crossover at The Sanctuary in New Lenox.

Plainfield North 199, Romeoville 264: Medalist Katlyn Withner carded a 43 for Plainfield North in the Southwest Prairie dual at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club in Yorkville.

Lincoln-Way Central 209, Joliet Township co-op 222: Medalist Yesenia Chavez finished with a 36 for Lincoln-Way Central in the SouthWest Suburban crossover at The Sanctuary.

Lincoln-Way East 179, Andrew 207: Lincoln-Way East’s Kelly Sterling (38) was the medalist in the SouthWest Suburban Red dual at Silver Lake.

Lockport 190, Bradley 245: Krystal Garriston, of Lockport, captured medalist honors with a 2-over 38 in the SouthWest Suburban Blue dual at South Shore Golf Club in Momence.

Providence quadrangular: Providence’s Alyssa Newling was the medalist with a 4-over 38 at Woodruff Golf Course in Joliet. St. Viator (167) won first place, topping East Suburban Catholic Conference foes Benet (172), Providence (179) and Marist (198).

Boys Cross Country

Bishop McNamara Invitational: Gardner-South Wilmington and Dwight each had 39 points in tying for third in the seven-team meet. Illiana Christian (16) was first.

Girls Tennis

Plainfield Central 4, Yorkville 3: Ali Foster (No. 1) and Anna Mihelich (No. 2) posted singles wins for visiting Plainfield Central.

Contributing: Josh Krockey