Titans’ second half should showcase more enthusiasm

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Glenbrook South's Kelsey Eenigenburg (right) leaps to block a spike by Glenbrook North's Sarah Winter. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 11, 2011 3:31PM

As soon as Katie Hoover noticed her Glenbrook South girls volleyball team was turning the corner, she made a move to put Kelsey Eenigenburg at outside hitter.

The senior, who didn’t play much last year, started the season at right-side hitter. But coach Hoover couldn’t wait any longer to put Eenigenburg in a more high-profile position.

“She’s proved to be such a valuable attacker that we wanted her to get more swings,” said Hoover, who pulled the trigger on the switch before the Wheaton Classic. “She’s now been playing steady in that position.”

Glenbrook South entered this week 8-13 overall and 2-2 in the CSL South. The Titans were scheduled to complete the first half of their conference slate Tuesday against Waukegan, then open the second half next week at Evanston.

“That’s definitely going to be an exciting match,” said Hoover, whose club lost 29-27, 25-10 when it played the Wildkits the first time on Sept. 13. “The second time through there’s always more pressure. It’s going to be fun to try an upset them at their home gym.”

Hoover hopes Olivia Nelson is back next week for the Evanston match. The senior middle hitter has been out with an injured finger.

Despite a shifting attack, setter Carson Weaver has been a constant for the Titans.

“She’s remained confident,” Hoover said of the senior. “She continues to help the team through difficult moments.”

Hoover said the Titans are better than they were at the beginning of the season, but aren’t where they need to be for the state series.

“We’ve grown,” the coach said. “We start games with energy and enthusiasm, but we are working on finishing that play all the way through.”

Hoover said the Titans tend to lose focus during the middle of matches, allowing opponents to mount lengthy runs.

“We’ve lost as many as eight points in a row,” the coach said. “It’s about getting sideouts. It’s so important to do that, especially now with the way it’s (rally) scored. Any team that gets a run can gain an emotional advantage over the other one.”