Karigan, Lake Zurich oust Fremd in semifinals
After dropping a tough 25-23 decision in Game 1, the Lake Zurich girls volleyball team showed some serious heart in the next two games, especially right-side hitter Alex Karigan late in Game 3.
While diving for a ball, Karigan hit her head on the floor as the Bears were trying to hold on to an 18-17 lead.
Lake Zurich coach Matt Aiello trotted out to the floor and spent a minute chatting with Karigan, making sure his 5-foot-11 senior was capable of remaining in the tense match.
He got his assurance and moments later the Bears assured themselves of a trip to the sectional final with a 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory over a never-say-die Fremd club on Tuesday night.
The No. 2-seeded Bears (32-6) will take on No. 1 Hersey (35-3) for the Class 4A Stevenson sectional title at 7 p.m. Thursday.
"We were sloppy in Game 1 and 2," Aiello said. "I just think we wanted it a little more in Game 3. And Alex Karigan was a great example of that. She went all out for that ball when she hit her head and then didn't want to come off the floor. Right after that, she went diving right after another ball."
"I dove for the ball and hit my head," said Karigan, who put down a pair of kills and more importantly collected 14 digs and was 7-of-8 serve receiving. "But it was worth it."
The fans got their money's worth as the teams traded some terrific rallies all night.
"It was really a great match," Karigan added. "Both teams played well. Defense, defense and defense. That and blocking were the keys for us."
And senior middle hitter Brittany Murawski's 15 kills didn't hurt either.
Amanda Orchard and Audrey Bauer each added 5 with 3 blocks apiece.
Senior Jenn Grunden also put down 4 kills as the Bears' attackers took their cues from setters Alexis Hartman (23 assists) and Monica Kloep (2 assists).
Two service points by Murawski put the Bears ahead 20-16 in Game 2 which had been tied eight times earlier
Fremd battled back to within 21-19 before Karigan served 3 points, including a block by Hartman and an ace, for a 24-20 lead.
Senior Colleen Andersen's kill brought the Vikings to within 24-21 before the Bears won the game on a block by Bauer.
"When you play Curt's (Pinley, Fremd coach) teams, boys or girls, in the playoffs, you know you're going to have to fight for every point," said Aiello, a former Buffalo Grove standout volleyball player.
Both teams fought hard for their points in the decisive game.
A 4-1 lead by Lake Zurich was the biggest by either team until the final score.
A kill by senior Elizabeth Dotson tied the game at 18-18 before Lake Zurich nudged ahead for good on a hitting error and kill by Bauer for a 20-18 lead.
Three straight kills by Murawski gave Lake Zurich a 23-19 advantage.
A tip by Orchard made it 24-20.
Fremd held off 1 match point when Tess Dinterman put down a quick set from junior Kayla Price.
But the Bears ended the match when Karigan blasted a kill off a block.
"Everyone was a little nervous after that first game, but deep down we knew we were going to win," Karigan added. "We are excited to play Hersey. They looked really good in their match (two-game win over Mundelein in first semifinal). But we'll be ready and so will they. It should be a great match."
"It's a great matchup, the two best teams in the sectional," said Aiello, whose team dropped a three-game match to Hersey in the Huskies own invite a little more than a month ago. "I have always respected coach (Nancy) Lill at Hersey. She was at Hersey when I was playing. I have a lot of respect for her teams. It will be a great volleyball match."
Alex Messner led Fremd (25-12) with 14 kills while Price finished with 29 assists.
"I thought we did everything well," Pinley said. "We just needed to do about 8 points better. Lake Zurich is an outstanding team. They're the No. 2 seed for a reason. But it takes nothing away from our kids. They played a fantastic match."