Girls volleyball: Crystal Lake South outlasts Prairie Ridge
With a young and inexperienced team, Crystal Lake South's girls volleyball team suffered through some ups and downs during the regular season.
The Gators have certainly grown up during the postseason.
Winning the Class 4A DeKalb regional last week, South advanced to the title game of the Hampshire sectional by outlasting rival Prairie Ridge 25-20, 19-25, 25-23 Tuesday night.
The Gators (23-15) will play Cary-Grove for the sectional crown Thursday at 6 p.m. The Trojans defeated Crystal Lake Central 25-12, 25-21 Tuesday.
"This has been an amazing group to coach," said Crystal Lake South coach Jorie Fontana, whose team won a sectional title last year. "The improvement of this team from the beginning of the season until now has been unbelievable. We withstood the pressure of a sectional match especially the third game and we beat a phenomenal (PR) team."
Senior Kendall Kilberger paced South with 15 kills, 4 blocks, 18 digs and 3 aces.
"Kendall is an insane leader," said Fontana. "She is the heart and soul of this team and she wasn't going to let us lose."
Kilberger is happy to extend her high school career.
"'In an intense match like this you just have to stay mentally strong," said Kilberger. "It is the will to survive. We have so many young players who have gotten better every match."
Kilberger had plenty of help from her teammates. Junior Jordan Proszenyak produced 8 kills with 3 blocks, 12 digs and 3 aces while sophomore setter Emily Slimko efficiently set up the Gator offense with 28 assists.
"This team is relentless and never gives up." said Fontana. "We have had some really good practices and we are playing really good volleyball."
The third game was a classic with 12 ties and lead changes with each team holding a 4-point lead at one point.
The Wolves held a 14-10 lead after a kill by Erin McNeil. Crystal Lake South responded with an 8-0 run capped by a kill from Kilberger to give the Gators an 18-14 lead.
The Wolves eventually tied the game at 23 on a kill from McNeil.
The Gators scored the final 2 points capped by a match-winning kill from Proszenyak.
"This is an awesome feeling to beat a team like Prairie Ridge," said Proszenyak. "This was such an intense match. Our crowd and fans really helped us tonight."
McNeil and Megan Ozga paced the Wolves with 8 kills apiece. Genesis Sheridan added 7 kills with 5 blocks and 3 aces.