Lake Zurich clinches NSC Lake
The North Suburban Conference Lake Division championship eluded Lake Zurich's girls volleyball team last year.
Not this season.
The Bears clinched the NSC Lake with a 25-14, 25-22 win over defending conference champ Stevenson on Thursday night.
Lake Zurich (21-6, 5-0) received 7 kills apiece from Jenn Grunden and Brittany Murawski, while Amanda Orchard added five.
Audrey Bauer served 3 aces. Alexis Hartman (32 of 32) and Monica Kloep (21 of 21) dished out 12 and 9 assists, respectively.
Stevenson (16-12, 4-2) got 4 kills apiece from Rachel Baader and Carlee Berland. Amber Hughes notched 12 digs, and Kierstyn Hansen delivered 2 aces.
Carmel d. St. Joseph: Sarah Stanton slammed 8 kills for the Corsairs in their 25-10, 25-20 victory.
Recording 3 kills each for Carmel were Megan Mowery, Taylor Roby and Jessie Wayland. C.C. Federer lofted 13 assists, as the Corsairs improved to 2-5 in the ESCC.
Vernon Hills d. Wheeling: Nora Snyder's 8 kills helped the Cougars to the 25-19, 25-22 nonconference win.
Shannon Nugent had 4 kills and 3 blocks for Vernon Hills (19-10). Alana Coy was 53-of-55 setting with 18 assists.
Round Lake d. Grayslake North: Stephanie Infante recorded 3 kills, 2 aces and 10 digs, as the Panthers won 25-22, 25-16.
Hayley Vaughn was 39-of-39 setting with 8 assists and was also 9-of-9 serving with 1 ace. Chanae Brown led Round Lake in digs with 13.
For Grayslake North (8-25), Sarah Walker put down 12 kills and notched 9 digs. Kinsey Siler contributed 6 kills and 2 blocks. Also for the Knights, Lauren Trahan set 31 of 31 with 11 assists, and Brianna Leon posted 4 blocks.
Libertyville d. Buffalo Grove: The Wildcats won 25-14, 25-19 in nonconference play to improve to 21-7.
Freshman Kristen Webb was nearly flawless in serve receive all night, Libertyville coach Greg Loika said, and she added 14 digs.
"Best night passing in a long while," Loika said. "With the superb defense, we were able to keep rallies short with strong attacks in system."
Catie Steffen pounded 10 kills and Paige Hopper had six. Mackenzie Haws, Steffen and Leah Kruckman contributed 2 blocks each. Cindy Zhou dished out 13 assists.
Prairie Ridge d. Grayslake C.: Lucy Peterson had 4 kills for the Rams in their 25-15, 25-6 loss.
"The score didn't reflect how well we played," Grayslake Central coach Jason Janczak said. "Our defense was rock-solid and serving was on. We just got overpowered."