Griffins good as gold

No. 5 Lincoln-Way East was down but not out Friday at the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South.

Despite losing its first boys volleyball match of pool play to Waubonsie Valley 30-28, 25-23, the Griffins (8-1) made their way into today's gold bracket by virtue of a tiebreaker when the Warriors lost to Andrew 25-23, 25-16. All three teams in Pool E finished with 1-1 records.

''We lived to fight another day,'' Lincoln-Way East coach Dawn Murphy said. ''We did not play well against Waubonsie Valley. But my guys promised me that if we got into the gold bracket, they would bring their best game with them [today].''

No. 10 Naperville Central (8-0) also advanced to the gold bracket by beating Stagg and Moeller, Ohio. The Redhawks played without attacker Dan Dierking, who learned earlier this week that a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee will sideline him for the season.

''You're not going to replace Dan,'' Naperville Central coach Bryan Johnwick said. ''The rest of the guys just have to play their roles.''

GIRLS SOCCER

QUO HAT TRICK LIFTS U-HIGH

Four games into the season, and questions remain about how good U-High is.

Like other area programs, the Maroons have been playing with a depleted squad because of spring break.

U-High still managed to defeat visiting Young 4-1 on Friday.

Emily Quo had her first hat trick of the season. Gabby Clark added the other goal for U-High (2-1-1).

''It's been a little tough so far because of spring break,'' Quo said. ''We were missing eight players [during a 6-0 loss] to Loyola in the first Pepsi Showdown game last week, so that hurt us there. But we have high expectations for this year. We showed some of our potential tonight. Hopefully things only get better.''

Jasmine Espino scored the lone goal for Young (3-2-1).

Joe Trost

SOFTBALL

LEE PITCHES GEM FOR TREVS

No. 4 New Trier edged visiting Lane 1-0 behind junior pitcher Kelsey Lee's one-hit, 15 strikeout performance.

Senior Molly Spence drove in the run for the Trevians (2-1).