DeMarco, Libertyville capture invite crown
Libertyville's Erin DeMarco surpassed the century mark in assists Saturday at the Prospect girls volleyball Invite.
And Wildcats coach Chris Tryzna gave her 5-foot-5 senior setter a big assist toward helping the Wildcats secure a 5-0 record as the champions of the six-team invite in Mount Prospect.
From 264 sets, DeMarco handed out 102 assists -- of which 31 went to junior outside hitter Emma Mach -- as the Wildcats (13-4) played just one three-game match.
That was an 18-25, 25-18, 25-19 over the host Knights.
"When the passing was there, Erin (DeMarco, who also had 3 blocks and 2 aces) can get the ball to our hitters and they all can put it down," Trzyna said of her all-tourney selection.
Senior middle hitter Ali Haws, who put down 28 kills with 16 blocks, was also named to the all-tourney team.
Other top attackers for the Wildcats were Leigha Bystol (24 kills), Lexie Gibbons (12) and Katy Pfund (8).
Libertyville's most dominating match of the tourney was its last, a 25-9, 25-11 triumph over Wheeling.
Senior Dani Kopera (53-for-58, 32 points, 6 aces) served Libertyville to an 11-1 lead in Game 2.
During the big run, Mach and Haws combined for 6 of the points with either a kill or block.
"The best part of the day was that we were mentally tough all the way," Tryzna said. "We never caved in and just kept plugging away."
Amber Bryant (15 digs), Jenny Caren (17 digs) and Emma Melendez (8 digs) all contributed in the back row, while Maka Stewart (3 kills) and Brittany Laine (2) added to the Wildcats' attack.
"It was a great team effort and we had a lot of hustle on the floor," Trzyna said. "We've seen a lot of improvement from the start of the season.
"I thought our blocking was huge today and that made a difference in our game."
Palatine (3-2) finished second to Libertyville. The Wildcats topped the Pirates 25-20, 25-22 in the first match of the day.
"They're (Libertyville) a great team," said first-year Palatine coach Dan Gavin. "They have a balanced attack. And they are always fundamentally sound. Whenever you play them, you pretty much know you're in for a battle."
Boys soccer
Mundelein 2, RM 1: Adam Reister and David Burdick scored for the host Mustangs in their nonconference victory over Rolling Meadows.
Burdick also had an assist, as did Nestor Montiel for Mundelein (6-3-3), which led 2-0 before allowing an own goal in the 72nd minute.
Lakes 2, Grayslake North 0: Edwin Martinez scored a goal in each half for the Eagles (5-6).
Carmel 3, Joliet Catholic 0: Kurt Houghton scored a pair of goals, and John Zeffery had a goal and an assist for the Corsairs (8-4-2, 2-1 East Suburban Catholic Conference).