Cary-Grove headed to state again
Entering the 2010 season as the reigning Class 4A state girls volleyball champion, Cary-Grove realized that each opponent would give their best effort in attempting to beat the Trojans.
Nobody has succeeded.
Moving to 40-0 for the season and winning their 56th straight match overall, the Trojans advanced to the state finals for a second straight season with a hard-fought 25-22, 25-17 win over Stevenson at the Class 4A Barrington supersectional Saturday afternoon.
It was the fourth time the Trojans have defeated the Patriots this season.
“It is an amazing, incredible feeling,” said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. “This is the best Stevenson has played against us this season. They played a great match. We were really nervous at the beginning of the match but we gained our composure and did a great job of going point to point.
“The girls didn't know where Redbird Arena was last year. I think it will help us that we played there last year.”
The Trojans, ranked No. 1 in the nation, will play Friday at 9 p.m. in the state semifinals held at Illinois State's Redbird Arena against Edwardsville, which defeated Hinsdale South in the Normal West supersectional Saturday night.
The Trojans rode the hot hand of senior standouts Kelly Lamberti and Colleen Smith Saturday.
Lamberti, an Ohio University recruit, led the Cary-Grove's powerful offensive attack with 17 kills, 5 blocks and 3 aces.
“We were really fighting nerves at the beginning of the match,” said Lamberti. “Once we settled down we played well. To make it to state again is an amazing incredible feeling.”
Smith, who will play collegiately at Indiana, dished out 23 set assists with 4 kills and 3 aces.
“It is a dream come true to make it to the state tournament,” Smith said. “Stevenson was so scrappy and played a great match. It was a fun match to play in.”
The upset-minded Patriots (31-9) made the Trojans earn their return trip to the state finals.
In Game 1, Stevenson led 13-8 after a kill by Carlee Berland. The Trojans' first lead of the game came after a kill by Ashley Rosch to make the score 21-20.
The Trojans scored the game winner on a kill by Allison Whimpey.
In Game 2, the Trojans bolted out to a 16-9 lead after a kill from Melanie Jereb. The Trojans' biggest lead was 20-11 on a kill by Mallory Wilczynski.
Cary-Grove punched its ticket to Redbird on a kill by Lamberti.
Berland led the Pats with 11 kills while Mackenzie Kurth added 7 kills.
“My team played a great match,” said Stevenson coach Tim Crow. “This is the best we have played against them. We had a good approach and we did a great job with serve receive. Cary-Grove is an outstanding team and Kelly Lamberti is an outstanding player. I am very proud of our girls. They have played great volleyball over the last month.”