Wrap: Larkin springs upset over Wheaton N.
The Larkin boys volleyball team went into Monday night's West Chicago sectional match as the lowest seeded team (No. 21), but walked away with a win over No. 12-seeded Wheaton North.
The Royals (4-31) started strong earning a 25-16 win before dropping game two 28-26. While the finale was a tight one, Larkin never let up eventually pulling out the 26-24 victory.
"The guys had been upset about being ranked the lowest, and I think they kind of took it out on Wheaton North," said Larkin coach Henry Graack.
Several players contributed in the intense victory including Brendyn Dobbeck (29 assists, 4 kills, 2 digs), Mike Jetel (7 kills, 2 blocks), Daniel Dominguez (10 kills, ace, 2 digs), Brad Potts (2 blocks, 11 kills), Joe Leganski (4 kills, 2 blocks, 3 digs) and Alan Rosenburg (2 aces, 2 kills, 2 blocks).
"The guys took care of business tonight," said Graack. "Intensity was the difference. They had intensity the entire game which was something that we lacked at times during the regular season."
Larkin will face Lake Park in round two of the sectional tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Boys volleyball
St. Edward's season ends: The Green Wave fell in straight sets, 25-18, 25-18, against Wheaton Academy in a regional play-in game at the Rolling Meadows sectional. St. Edward finished the season with a record of 7-15.
Jim Waclawik led the Wave with 9 kills, Will Lytle added 6 kills and Tyler Vaughan 2. Setter Miguel Martinez posted 19 assists.
"Our defense wasn't as strong as it needed to be, but the boys gave it a good effort," first-year St. Edward coach Jaime Walton said. "I feel this year was a good start to building the program."
Hoffman Estates d. South Elgin: The Storm closed out the season falling in two close matches to Hoffman Estates 25-21, 25-17 at the Wheaton Warrenville South sectional. South Elgin was led by Andrew Gleason, who posted 3 kills with a pair of aces. Doug Sawyer and Jim McMahon also added 4 kills each at the net for the Storm, which finished the season 9-20 overall.
"We played well tonight but unfortunately we made more mistakes than the other team. We won 9 matches which was an improvement from last year. It was nice to see Tony Thomas and Jim McMahon step up tonight," said South Elgin coach Joni Melahn.
St. Charles East d. Elgin: Despite some big-time play from Carlton Kellenburger (7 kills), Ryan Johnson and Francisco Vega, Elgin (5-22) concluded the 2008 season losing to St. Charles East in three games at the Elk Grove regional.
The Saints took Game 1 by a score of 25-19, but the Maroons battled back winning Game 2 (25-23) before dropping the third game 25-16.
"My kids gave me everything they had tonight," said Elgin coach Keith Foster. "We had the talent to win it, but we lacked the experience.
"We will miss Ryan, but we do look forward to next year with everybody else returning."
Baseball
Jacobs 8, Crystal Lake Central 2:ŒKyle Magnuson (2-for-3) and Matt Igara (2-for-3, 2 RBI) each hit a home run to push the Golden Eagles past Crystal Lake Central in nonconference action. Ricky Ames picked up the win on the mound for Jacobs.
Jacobs 4, Marian Central 3: The Golden Eagles defeated Marian Central in their second game Monday. Jacobs was able to score a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to come out victorious. Matt Schmidt earned the win for the Golden Eagles on the mound. On offense Jacobs was led by Mike Castilllo, who went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI.
Softball
Prairie Ridge 11, Dundee-Crown 1: The Wolves pounded out 12 hits scoring 11 runs in 5 innings of action to defeat Dundee Crown in the play-in game of the Class 4A Jacobs Regional. Johanna Turner (11-6) tossed a 1-hitter for PR, fanning 9 batters with 2 walks. Prairie Ridge (20-11) brought out the bats and was led be Erika Trojan (3-for-3, 2B), Anna Patras (2-for-3, 2B) and Danielle Samuels (2-for-3, 2B). Kelsey Brennan also went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI for the Wolves.
"We had a lot of energy. Johanna came out and pitched a great game. It was nice to come out and hit the ball," said Prairie Ridge coach Mike Buck.
Burlington Central 3, Woodstock 2: The top-ranked Rockets (30-1) survived against Woodstock when Brooke Porto scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth on a throwing error in this nonconference game. Erica Maisto (15-0) picked up the win for the Rockets with 11¿innings of hitless relief. The win is the 75th of Maisto's career, tying her with former Cary-Grove great Kelli Gallas for the most career wins of any pitcher in Fox Valley history. Kayla Oranger led BC with a 2-for-3 day that included an RBI and 3 stolen bases. Sam Gruner and Lindsay Lange (3B) also had RBI and Maisto was 2-for-4 at the plate. Mackenzie Scott started the game in the circle for the Rockets, striking out 12 with 4 walks and 3 hits allowed. This is the third time in the last 4 seasons the Rockets have won 30 games and they go into Class 3A regional play at Rosary today with a 127-16 record in the last 4 seasons.
Cary-Grove 10, Streamwood 0: Kristen Bauer (11-7) tossed a 3-hit shutout to push C-G past Streamwood in nonconference action. Bauer pitched all 4 innings recording 1 walk and a strikeout for the Trojans (18-13). Bauer also led C-G at the plate with a double. Maggie O'Brien also was 1-for-3 at the plate for Cary-Grove. Streamwood (9-23) collected 4 hits and was led by Arielle Gallione (1-for-2) and Danielle Vida (1-for-2). Kelsey Johnson suffered the loss in the circle allowing 7 hits with 1 strikeout and 3 walks.