Moving performance from Watson as Libertyville tops Carmel
Clearly, the heavy hit of Thursday night's match belonged to Libertyville transfer student Allison Watson.
No, she didn't hit her head on the Carmel ceiling, but she clearly leaped high to put one down with authority.
More on Watson's recent travels in a moment, but for now it's important to note that top-seeded Libertyville had its hands full with sixth-seeded Carmel in this nonconference matchup.
Carmel (17-10) had leads in both sets only to fall to the Wildcats 25-20, 25-23.
Watson had a match-high 8 kills, as the Wildcats posted their 10th win in a row. Her most recent outpost was western New York before relocating for her senior year.
"My dad got transferred out here," Watson said. "Libertyville is a lot bigger school than mine. But the girls have been very helpful. Plus, I'm going home for the weekend."
Her father was transferred to Loyola University - which is where Watson will play her college volleyball.
Of course, Libertyville coach Greg Loika was glad this 6-footer came his team's way.
"They came through here last winter," Loika said. "I had never seen her play. We are very happy we have her on the team."
The Wildcats (22-5) used some tough serving from middle blocker Jacqui Widmark to surge to quick lead in set one. Carmel answered back via a block from Central Michigan-bound setter Grace Butler.
"We felt we had nothing to lose," Butler said. "I love setting my middles (Taylor Luhr and Cate Halverson)."
Carmel coach Dave Pazely loves having this tall junior setting for his club.
"Grace is amazing," Pazely said. "She's really an incredible athlete. She's so smart out there. She's clearly one of the main pieces on this team."
With Widmark back on the serving line, senior Annika Hawkinson notched a pair of kills and Libertyville had some breathing room at 20-17.
"We knew they were scrappy on defense," Loika said of Carmel. "But to see it in person was impressive. But we also did a nice job in rallies. We also have pretty good defense with our libero, Morgan O'Brien."
With the first set in the books for the Wildcats, the area's top postseason seed breezed quickly to a 4-0 lead in set two. Watson had her heroic kill and setter Anna Lillydahl chipped in another kill. However, a serving ace from Carmel's Giana Moisio gave the Corsairs a 12-11 lead.
"We are taking steps in the right direction," Pazely said. "We play in the ESCC, which is the top conference in the state in volleyball."
On an Erin Taylor kill, the Carmel lead was 19-17. Erin Dunleavy played well for the Cats down the stretch as the Cats grabbed the lead.
Dunleavy backed up Watson with her 7 kills. Hawkinson had 5 kills for Libertyville, Lillydahl notched 22 assists in the two sets and O'Brien had 24 digs to lead the Cats on defense.
Halverson had a solid night for Carmel, finishing with 5 kills and 4 blocks, and Taylor also had 5 kills for Carmel. Butler had 15 assists and 2 kills, while libero Elizabeth Tworek had 20 digs for the Corsairs.