Girls volleyball: Unified approach helps Grayslake Central to Slam triumph

Lauren LaBeck was nearly perfect setting, and Grayslake Central's girls volleyball team used what coach Jason Janczak called a "total team effort" to capture its own Ram Slam for the first time Saturday.

Cassidy Beshel pounded 39 kills, and LaBeck was 285-of-286 setting with 95 assists in addition to serving 11 aces, as the Rams went 5-0 to improve to 8-6 on the season. Grayslake Central defeated Richmond-Burton (24-26, 26-24, 15-8), Grayslake North (25-18, 25-19) and Regina Dominican (25-13, 25-15) in pool play, before topping Carmel (25-23, 25-13). The Rams won the championship by outlasting Wisconsin Lutheran 19-25, 27-25, 25-22.

Regina defeated Carmel 25-23, 25-19 for third plce.

Amber Moser and Elisa Koshy added 23 and 20 kills, respectively, for Grayslake Central. Abby Marassa totaled 43 digs,and Kate Bullman had 12.5 blocks.

"Our girls showed a ton of fight and won some matches against some very solid teams," Janczak said. "All girls played well and were able to get clutch points at key times throughout the tournament. I am very proud of how well we came together as a team and played very well."

Wauconda (7-6, 2-3) rallied past Lake Park 23-25, 25-10, 25-23 to take fifth place. The Bulldogs got 32 kills from Lauren Sexton, 104 digs from Jane Sakowicz, 73 assists from Summer Olsen and 14 aces from Erika Kraml.