Lincoln-Way Central’s varsity girls’ volleyball team commenced its 2025 season with a straight-set loss to Barrington at the Great Lakes Center on Friday.
According to head coach Bernhard, the Knights competed closely in the opening set but ultimately fell 25-23. In the second set, Barrington gained momentum and secured a 25-15 victory to clinch the match. Despite the defeat, Lincoln-Way Central demonstrated potential in various aspects of their play. Senior outside hitter Penny Smith led the offense with seven kills and achieved a 3.0 serve receive rating, providing strength in both attack and back-row defense.
Bernhard said that the Knights are using these early-season matches to develop rhythm and chemistry, emphasizing that facing strong opponents like Barrington offers valuable experience for the team. “We knew this would be a tough test right out of the gate,” Bernhard said. “But I saw a lot of positives in the way our girls competed, especially in that first set. Penny gave us a strong presence offensively, and now it’s about cleaning up mistakes and staying consistent.”
The Knights, currently holding a record of 0-1, will next compete against Neuqua Valley on Saturday, August 29, as they continue their series of early nonconference matches.
