Cary-Grove shares FVC Valley volleyball title
Senior Night. Last regular-season home game.
It was an emotion-filled night for Cary-Grove senior libero Bree Coffey.
But the senior, who will play in the Big Ten at Rutgers next season, didn't let the emotions of the evening hinder her performance.
With 15 digs and 2 aces, Coffey's efforts help propel the Trojans to a 25-19, 25-15 over pesky Dundee-Crown in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls volleyball action in Cary Thursday night.
The Trojans (26-7, 9-1) share the Valley title with Crystal Lake South.
"It was a very emotional night for the seniors," said Coffey. "We were a little nervous early in the match, but we settled down and played well after that. I don't know where I would be without Cary-Grove volleyball. It has been an incredible experience. D-C is a very tough, scrappy team. This was a very rewarding win."
Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis realizes how important Coffey is to the success of the Trojans.
"We put a lot of pressure on Bree," said Langanis. "She carries a tremendous burden on her shoulders. We expect perfection from Bree. She does all the little things necessary to win and provides great leadership to our team."
D-C (14-9, 3-1) certainly had upset on its mind early in Game 1. On a kill by Kiana Mays, the Chargers roared to a 10-7 lead. But the Trojans, behind 3 kills by Abby Schebel, went on an 11-3 run to take an 18-13 lead.
The Chargers rallied to get within 3 of the Trojans, 22-19, on a kill from Paige Gieseke, but the Chargers couldn't get any closer. Cary-Grove scored the final 3 points of Game 1 capped by a kill from Ali Splitt.
In Game 2, D-C led 4-3 early on a kill by Mays. But the Trojans seized control of the game with an 8-2 run keyed by 2 aces each from Erin Olson and Coffey along with a pair of kills from Splitt. After the run, Cary-Grove held an 11-6 advantage.
The Trojans kept extending the lead and held their biggest advantage of the night at 12, 22-10, on a kill by Splitt. Cary-Grove completed the victory on a kill by Maddy Katchen.
Schebel and Splitt (8 blocks) paced the Trojans' hitting attack with 6 kills apiece.
Mays led D-C with 8 kills.
"We fought hard the entire night," said D-C coach Christine Hopkins-Muehl. "The missed serves hurt and Cary-Grove capitalized on our mistakes."