Eventually, Libertyville stops Wauconda

No - it couldn't be.

No way the Prairie Division champion from Wauconda was beating the Wildcats of Libertyville in the North Suburban Conference title match Wednesday at Libertyville.

Yet the scoreboard was certainly telling fans that something was up.

Wauconda took set one 25-22.

"We were so fired up," Wauconda middle hitter Sara Sexton said. "We were so excited all day."

Evidently that first-set stunner awakened the favored Wildcats. Libertyville ran away and hid in set two and won the NSC title with a 22-25, 25-8, 25-15 victory.

Libertyville coach Greg Loika told his girls the first-set setback was a welcome to postseason volleyball. His team had run into the Bulldogs at the Crosstown Classic earlier this season and had handled them easily that time.

"They (Wauconda) have certainly upped their game," Loika said. "They played really well."

That first set spotted the Bulldogs digging, passing and blocking well. Sexton led the Bulldogs with 11 kills.

"That was the best set we've played all season," Wauconda coach Alison Williams said. "We played great in that first set."

Sexton had Wauconda's first kill of the match and the Bulldogs (24-8) never trailed. The Wildcats (28-5) tied Wauconda at 8-8. The Cats couldn't seem to find their way on offense, and when versatile LeAnne Sakowicz delivered a kill, the Bulldogs had quieted the home crowd.

"I was a little bit stunned," Libertyville outside hitter Francesca Fusco said. "We needed to bring out our energy and take it away."

Yes, as if someone flipped a switch, the Cats awakened. Led by the outside hitting of sophomore Anna Lillydahl, the Wildcats took command in set two. Lillydahl led the Wildcats with 11 kills.

"Anna has had a few matches where she has led us," Loika said.

Setter Lizzie Apgar (25 assists) had Libertyville's first kill on a dump shot in set two, and the Cats were off and running. Hannah Zerwas and Fusco had kills as the Cats lead expanded to 15-4. Sophomore Sinead Prentiss had the honor of closing set two with a kill.

"For some reason, we got tight in that set," Williams said.

Sexton knew the Wildcats wouldn't sit around and let her team beat them on their home floor.

"I know a lot of their players from club," Sexton said. "They have a lot of talent."

Wauconda actually had a lead early in the third set. And then Lillydahl went into her act, notching 3 straight kills. On a kill from Alex Basler (10 kills), the Cats' lead in set three looked safe at 15-8.

And then the Bulldogs showed a little late energy. With Kayla Mayer serving, an ace and another Sexton kill cut the Cats' lead to 17-14.

Lillydahl made sure the Bulldogs wouldn't come any closer as she had 3 more kills to help Libertyville pull away.

"This is like playoff volleyball," Loika said. "Our girls felt the nerves in set one. Nothing will be easy. It will be a new season."

Sakowicz was busy for Wauconda as she had 8 kills, 10 assists, 12 digs and 2 aces. Libero Ashley Anderson notched 16 digs.

Aiding Libertyville's effort were Fusco (6 kills) and Zerwas (5 kills). Libero Morgan O'Brien had 13 digs.