Schaumburg's comeback kids rally for third

The comeback girls of Schaumburg did it again in their own invite Saturday.

Trailing 23-15 to Crystal Lake South in Game 3 of the third-place match, the Saxons stormed back for a 25-11, 20-25, 27-25 victory over the Gators.

Just two days earlier, Schaumburg rallied from a 24-18 deficit in Game 2 against Barrington to sweep the Fillies.

Cary-Grove won the title with a 25-15, 25-17 victory over Rockton-Hononegah.

"They (Cary-Grove) are a solid team." said Saxons coach Jeanette Pancratz, whose team's loss to the Trojans in the semifinals was only its fourth all season. "Hats off to them."

Schaumburg (22-4) deserved credit for its resiliency in Game 3 against Crystal Lake South (16-10).

The Saxons never led until the final 2 points -- a kill by Heather Bolger (19 kills, 26 digs) and floater ace by Gabrielle Blackwell (35 kills, 22 digs, 22 assists, 5 blocks).

"We have a lot of heart," said Saxons setter Drewann Pancratz (79 assists, 28 kills), who had a lot of impact on the comeback in Game 3 with some splendid dumps for kills. "It just shows our mindset determines our destiny."

The Saxons looked like they were destined for a possible sweep after a decisive 25-11 win in Game 1.

Junior Monica Sanchez (17 digs) helped set the tone when she jump-served for the first 5 points, including 3 aces. She also served for the final 2 points with a pair of aces. Sanchez had 9 aces for the day.

"Coach tells us the zone at which to aim," Sanchez said. "I just try to find the angles and put the ball in the right direction.

"It was a long day for us. So it was good that we really pushed at the end to win it."

Trailing 23-16, Alexandria Jackson served the Saxons to within 23-21, getting 2 aces along the way.

The Gators (16-10) got to match point at 24-22, but Schaumburg scored the next 2 points on tools by Blackwell.

A kill by the Gators' Morgan Kilberger gave CLS a 25-24 lead, but Blackwell put down another smash off a set from Pancratz for the 25-25 tie.

Blackwell served for the final 2 points.

"We finished really strong," said Jackson, who collected 26 kills, 4 blocks 14 digs in five matches. "For some reason, we slowed down in Game 2, but we picked up big-time at the end of Game 3."

Alex Kostka (39 digs) keyed the back-row defense, while Sam Kelly chipped in 7 digs off the bench.

Maggie Kostecki supplied solid attack coming off the bench with 3 kills for the Mid-Suburban West champs.

St. Charles East Invite:ΠBarrington enjoyed its finest weekend of the season, going 4-1 in the 24-team tourney.

The Fillies (10-17) earned wins over Neuqua Valley and Prairie Ridge.

Barrington, which lost in three games to Prairie Ridge earlier this season, defeated the Wolves 31-29, 23-25, 25-23 in their final match Saturday.

"I don't think neither team ever led by more than 3 points the entire match," said Fillies coach Chris Bronke. "It was an unbelievable match."

Madeline Root collected 130 assists in what Bronke called a "a phenomenal job" running the offense.

Jackie Patmore (60 kills) and Marley Leitner (40) led the attack, while Meredith Derr had 10 aces and Leitner 9.

Leitner also had 35 digs.

"It was Marley's first time playing all-around and she did a nice job for us," Bronke said.

"To have things go our way in a close match (against Prairie Ridge) was really nice. We've lost a lot of close ones. The girls played with a lot of maturity and confidence."

Kriste Fijal (6) and Emily Harris (5) were top blockers. Katie Goldratch (76 digs), Kelly Pickering (66) and Paige Czarnecki (56) led the defense.

"For us to get big wins over Neuqua Valley and Prairie Ridge this close to state tournament is a good thing for us," Bronke said.

Crystal Lake Central Invite: Elk Grove (17-10) took second place with a 4-1 record as Kelsey Prochenski (40 assists) and Jessica Condon (28) directed the offense.

Katie Spychala (22 kills), Anie Fitzpatrick (19), Ashley Capotosto (13) and Katie Loos (11) were top attackers, while Megan Maize ( 32 digs), Caitlyn Garrison (30) and Spychala (20) led the defense.

Glenbrook North tourney: Maine West (15-11) went 3-2 in the tourney. Alise Tupuritis (28 kills), Amanda Knipp (14), Mary Kusner (12) and Maria Rozo (12) led the Warriors' attack. Rozo had 10 blocks and Kusner 9.

Prospect also went 3-2 in the 16-team event.

Tracy Hefferan (32 kills) Megan Murray (21), Hillary Trebels (20), Rachel Hunt (18) and Lindsay Valentino (14) paced the attack for the Knights (12-15), while setter Jackie Canonaco handed out 92 assists.

Buffalo Grove (4-22-1) went 1-4 and was led on attack by Lauren Angotti (25 kills) and Emily Nowicki (16).

Lake Zurich Invite: Rolling Meadows (1-4) took sixth place. Jackie Carbery (24 kills), Katie Stensland (22) Dana Demmert (21) and Jenna Milas (20) led the Mustangs attack set by Kim Liwag (43 assist) and Marissa Barry (30).