Cary-Grove rolls to easy win
Over the last 3 years, Cary-Grove senior outside hitter Allison Straumann has seen many teammates and opponents commit to play volleyball at the Division I level before the beginning of their senior year.
So, when the University of Iowa offered Straumann a scholarship this summer she jumped at the opportunity. With a Division I scholarship tucked away, Straumann can now relax and enjoy her senior season for the Trojans.
Blasting 6 kills and serving 2 aces, Straumann helped lead the Trojans to a 25-16, 25-12 win over Grayslake North in a Fox Valley Conference crossover match in Cary Thursday night. It was the season opener for the Trojans.
"When we were at a team camp my freshman year at Iowa I loved the atmosphere there and wanted to play there some day," said Straumann. "I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to play at Iowa. Now, I can go play and enjoy my senior year and not worry about my college choice."
Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis expects Straumann to have a great senior season.
"Allison told me after she made her college choice that she could just play her senior year and have fun," said Langanis. "I am so happy and thrilled for her. "
Straumann got plenty of help from her teammates as the Trojans disposed of the Knights (0-2) in 31 minutes.
Led by 3 kills and 2 aces by senior Emily Dalton, making her first varsity start, the Trojans jumped off to a 10-3 lead. Pounding the net relentlessly, the Trojans opened a 11-point lead 23-12 after a kill by Colleen Hargrove. Cary-Grove claimed Game 1 on a kill by Dalton.
The Trojans kept up the intensity to start Game 2.
Straumann and Kelly Lamberti blasted 3 kills apiece and Abbey Heredia served 3 aces as the Trojans blasted off to a 11-2 advantage.
Cary-Grove's biggest lead was 22-8 after a kill by Tori Sandstrom. Straumann's kill gave the Trojans the game and match.
"We are not tall and have very little size," said Grayslake North coach Nikki Kirchway. "They have a lot of great hitters and a great setter (Heredia). I liked the way we played in the first game. We could have played better in the second game."
Kaitlyn Klausner paced the Knights with 4 kills.
Aiding Straumann for the Trojans were Lamberti with 5 kills and 3 aces along with Hargrove and Sandstrom who had 3 kills apiece. Heredia distributed 19 set assists for the winners.