Cary-Grove's Lamberti garners Gatorade nod

The awards continue to roll in for Cary-Grove senior Kelly Lamberti, who was named 2010-11 Gatorade Illinois Girls Volleyball Player of the Year Tuesday.

The senior outside hitter led the defending Class 4A champions back to the state title match, in which she set a record for kills (19) in a loss to Lyons. Lamberti's Trojans finished the season 41-1.

The 6-foot-tall senior, an all-state pick who was named the honorary captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team, led the Trojans with 320 kills, 210 digs, 72 service aces and 44 blocks. She finished the season with a phenomenal kill percentage of .476.

“I'm excited for Kelly because she's such a wonderful person and a player,” Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis said. “I think she's well deserving of the greatest honors you could give a volleyball player in Illinois.

“She's not the tallest player at her position and she doesn't jump the highest, but she's one of the most mentally tough players I've ever coached. In pressure situations she rises to a whole new level. Kelly definitely possesses that ‘it' factor when it comes to competition.”

Lamberti, who maintains a 3.78 grade-point average, is committed to play collegiately at Ohio University.

She remains under consideration for Gatorade National Player of the Year, which will be announced later this month.