Hartman, LZ deliver

It's one thing to make a spectacular play. It's another to do it when your team needs it the most.

Lake Zurich junior setter Alexis Hartman came through in both respects Wednesday night to help the Bears to a 29-27, 25-8 victory over Vernon Hills in the North Suburban Conference championship match.

Visiting Lake Zurich already had rallied from a 24-21 deficit and led 28-27 after the Cougars missed a serve. It appeared as if the Cougars would tie the score when a Vernon Hills kill struck Lake Zurich senior Alex Karigan in the side of the face.

Hartman quickly reacted and chased the ball out of bounds. She was able to make a diving save to keep the ball alive, and from there Lake Zurich passed the ball over the net. Vernon Hills was then called for a net violation, giving the game to the Bears.

"I thought we had lost the point," Karigan said. "I don't know how she got to the ball but it was remarkable."

Added Hartman: "I used one arm and popped it up."

After falling to the ground to save the ball, Hartman was embraced by her teammates.

"It kind of hurt," said Hartman, who was smiling broadly as she recounted the play.

From there, Lake Zurich dominated. The Bears ran off the first 12 points of the second game.

"The way we played in Game 2 is the way we play," Lake Zurich coach Matt Aiello said. "I wasn't real friendly or happy with them after Game 1. We made a statement to ourselves."

Although the Bears (24-6, 8-0 Lake Division) have won 97 matches in the last three years and dropped a total of two Lake Division games, this was their first league title. Aiello surprised the girls by presenting them with NSC champion shirts after the match.

"We've fallen short in some matches we were really interested in," he said. "I wanted them to enjoy it."

Vernon Hills (19-11) tied Wauconda and Antioch for the Prairie Division crown with a 5-1 record. The Cougars and Lake Zurich will play each other again Friday in the Crosstown Classic.

In the opening game, Vernon Hills fell behind 4-0. After watching her team lose another point, Cougars coach Abbie Gutzmer was about to signal a timeout. But the officials ruled Lake Zurich's shot hit the antenna, giving the point to Vernon Hills.

Vernon Hills proceeded to string together five consecutive points. The Cougars enjoyed leads of 11-8, 20-17 and 24-21.

"I would say that's the highest level of volleyball we've played all year," Gutzmer said.

The Cougars frustrated Lake Zurich with their scrappiness and ability to play long rallies.

"We focused on defense and blocking," Gutzmer said. "We needed to slow the ball down."

Junior Alla Krashevsky came through with 3 blocks.

"She was able to get a lot of touches on the ball," Gutzmer said.

As usual, senior libero Amy Choi (15 digs) was everywhere in the back row.

"She was digging half the court," Aiello said.

Vernon Hills senior Nora Snyder finished with a team-high 4 kills.

For Lake Zurich, seniors Jenn Grunden and Brittany Murawski each had 7 kills. Sophomore Amanda Orchard contributed 4 blocks.

After two close calls the previous years, this was a championship that was overdue.

Just ask Karigan, who summed it up well.

"It's about time," she said.