Cary-Grove takes it to Crystal Lake South
Down 5-0 to a very talented Crystal Lake South team in Game 1, it seemed like it might be a night to forget for Cary-Grove.
It ended up being a night to remember for the Trojans.
Overcoming a sluggish start, Cary-Grove rebounded for an impressive 25-17, 25-22 win over the visiting Gators in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls volleyball action in Cary Thursday night.
"South came out fired up and we played nervous to start the match," said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. "I called timeout and we settled down and changed some things. We played very well after that."
The Trojans (7-2, 2-0) clicked on all cylinders offensively and defensively. Abi Schebel paced the Trojans at the net with 9 kills, Ali Splitt collected 7 kills and Sarah Graham had 6 kills, 5 blocks and 4 aces for the winners. Junior Erin Olson set up the offense with 17 assists.
"We were really fired to start the match, but South is an amazing team with endless talent and they started fast," said Graham. "We were a little shaky and coach Langanis called a timeout and settled us down. Our serve receive got better and we played better as the match went on."
On defense, the Trojans held Gator standout Carly Nolan to 6 kills.
"Carly Nolan is an amazing player," said Langanis of the Cincinnati recruit. "We had to block her as a team and we did a good job."
In Game 1, the Trojans went on a 9-3 run to take a 9-8 lead on a kill from Schebel. Cary-Grove never looked back.
Holding a slim 19-17 lead, the Trojans scored the final 6 points, capped by an ace from Graham to lead in the match 1-0.
In Game 2 the Gators (8-3, 2-1), the defending Valley champs who finished fourth in Class 4A last year, were determined to send the match to a third game.
South took a 22-21 lead after a kill by Emma Burkle off a perfect set by Cassy Sivesind. But that would be the last point South would score for the night.
Scoring the final 4 points of the match, the Trojans won on a kill by Splitt.
Burkle led the Gators with 7 kills along with 7 blocks.
"I am more worried about our team from a mental aspect more than the physical," said South coach Jorie Fontana. "We are inconsistent because we aren't playing with any confidence."