Cary-Grove claims FVC Valley outright

Cary-Grove's girls volleyball team didn't want any part of sharing the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division championship.

So, the Trojans made sure the 2009 title would be all theirs with a hard-fought 14-25, 25-21, 25-13 win over Crystal Lake South In FVC action at South's Gator Alley Tuesday night. Cary-Grove and South were co-champs in 2008.

"This is so great to win the conference outright," said Cary-Grove senior Abbey Heredia, a 4-year starter for the Trojans. "South played so strong in the first game and we were a little shellshocked, but we kept our composure and found some energy."

Heredia collected 19 digs, 22 assists and 7 kills for the winners.

She was only one of many heroes for the conference champions. Kelly Lamberti blasted 15 kills and had 7 blocks while senior Kayla Klinger deposited 14 kills coupled with 2 aces for the winners.

"Kayla played her best match of the season," said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. "It seemed everybody struggled in the first game but Kayla. She kept us in the match."

It was the underdog Gators who were the aggressor in the first game. With Hannah Burkle and Caitlin Schumacher dominating the net with 6 kills each, South (22-7, 6-3) leapfrogged to an 18-8 lead in Game 1.

The Trojans never really challenged and the Gators grabbed Game 1 on a kill by Burkle.

"Our team has really struggled mentally recently," said South coach Jorie Fontana. "We challenged them to come out strong and with great focus. The first game was the best game we have played all season. We were awesome. We have the potential to do that, but we need to do it on a more consistent basis."

The Trojans' superior talent was too much for Crystal Lake South to handle in Games 2 and 3.

In Game 2, there were 7 lead changes, before the Trojans took the lead for good at 16-15 on a kill by Lamberti. Colleen Hargrove's kill knotted the match for Cary-Grove at 1-1.

Cary-Grove, which played without junior setter Colleen Smith (hand injury), got 6 early kills from Lamberti in Game 3 to take a 12-5 advantage. The Gators never got any closer as a kill by Ashley Rosch gave the Trojans the game and match.

"We were shocked on how much intensity South played with in the first game," said Klinger. "We played on our heels. Coach made some adjustments and we blocked better in the second and third games.

Burkle and Taylor Granell led the Gators with 9 kills each. Schumacher added 8.