Girls volleyball: Crystal Lake South disposes of Crystal Lake Central

Crystal Lake Central cruised to the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division championship with a perfect 12-0 slate. Crystal Lake South and Cary-Grove shared the Valley title with identical 9-1 marks.

So, when South-Central met Thursday in a Fox Valley Conference crossover tilt, a close, hard-fought match was anticipated.

The host Gators made sure that didn't happen.

In a snappy 40 minutes, South disposed of intracity rival Central 25-19, 25-21.

"We played very well," said South coach Jorie Fontana. "We had our streaks. But we played with a lot of confidence. I am working this team hard, but they want to be pushed. We feel real good going into the regionals."

South is the No. 2 seed behind CL Central in next week's Class 4A Prairie Ridge regional.

Cincinnati-bound senior outside hitter Carly Nolan was dominant for the Gators (28-7) in posting 9 kills, 5 blocks with 3 aces.

'We struggled at the beginning of the second game and we have to get that worked out," said Nolan. "With this team it is a learning process all the time. We know the regionals will be tough and know we may play Central next week for the regional championship."

Nolan got plenty of help from her teammates. Kendall Kilberger added 6 kills while Mary Wille and Emma Burkle contributed 5 kills apiece. With great precision, senior setter Cassy Sivesind dished out 22 assists. Sivesind added 5 blocks, with 3 kills and 7 digs.

The Gators started fast in Game 1 and never looked back. On a kill by Abigial Marchewka, South held a 7-point 10-3 lead.

The pesky Tigers (35-3) battled back and tied the game at 15 on an ace by Brittany Lownds.

With the score tied, Nolan went on a rampage with 5 kills as the Gators went on a 6-1 run to take control with a 21-16 lead. The Gators claimed Game 1 on a kill by Burkle.

Central came out with great vengeance in Game 2. On 5 kills from freshman phenom Megan Kelly, the Tigers started Game 2 with a 6-0 advantage.

The Gators remained poised and tied the game at 9 on an ace by Nolan. South totally seized control of the match with a 11-1 run. A kill by Marchewka gave the Gators a 20-10 lead. The visiting Tigers didn't quit and got to within 3 of the Gators, 24-21, on a kill by Kelly. But Central couldn't get any closer as a kill by Nolan gave the Gators the match.

Kelly paced Central with 12 kills, 4 blocks and 3 aces.