Cary-Grove one step away from state

One more victory and Cary-Grove can begin final preparations for the state title defense.

With a win today over Stevenson (31-8) in the Class 4A Barrington supersectional at 3 p.m., the defending state champion Trojans (39-0) would advance to a state semifinal at Redbird Arena in Normal for the second straight year.

The odds heavily favor a supersectional victory for the Cary-Grove, a team riding a 55-match winning streak and currently ranked No. 1 in the country by prepvolleyball.com and ESPN Rise.

Cary-Grove faced the Patriots twice at the Schaumburg Invite on Oct. 9. The Trojans won 25-8, 25-18 in pool play and again in the championship match, 25-17, 25-18.

The Trojans have been pushed to a third game only twice this season, the last instance on Sept. 4 by defending Wisconsin state champion Catholic Memorial.

In other words, the Trojans are rolling and they don't intend to let up until their record reaches 42-0.

“I feel like we have more fire this year,” Cary-Gove setter Colleen Smith said of the difference between the 2009 and 2010 teams. “We're just so focused in and determined on our one goal. We don't really ever talk about that goal, but we're so prepared and ready to play.”

Stevenson won its first sectional in nine seasons by ousting Lake Zurich at Warren. The Patriots are led by setter Jenna Przybyla, who finished with 14 assists in the sectional final, including 4 assists apiece on kills by hitters Shannon Mullins and Carlee Berland.

Despite its winning streak and the ease with which the Trojans have been winning matches, the squad finds ways to remain focused in every match regardless of whether the score is close.

“We have our individual goals that we're working on in every game,” C-G coach Patty Langanis said. “We need to get so many blocks, keep our ace percentage high. We work on a lot of individual goals, not focusing on the score or the opponent as much. That's really helped us keep our focus and not play up and down volleyball.”

The winner of the Barrington supersectional will face the winner of the Normal supersectional next Friday at approximately 9 p.m. Vying for the Normal supersectional title are Edwardsville (31-8) and Hinsdale South (33-6).