Wayland, Carmel get past Vernon Hills
When the season ends for Carmel Catholic’s girls volleyball team, which believes it is just getting started, volleyball ends for Jessie Wayland.
Or maybe not.
Wayland, who’s way good, is considering a couple of Big Ten universities, where she would pursue a degree in graphic design but not chase the dream of playing Division I volleyball.
“I’m trying to convince her otherwise,” said Corsairs coach David Pazely, noting several schools have talked to his talented senior outside hitter.
Wayland isn’t thinking about it.
She’s more focused on helping Carmel win just the second sectional title in the school’s 50-year history.
Wayland’s 5 kills and 2 aces helped the Corsairs dispatch Vernon Hills 25-21, 25-15 in Tuesday’s first sectional semifinal at Ridgewood.
Carmel (26-13) faces Lakes (27-11) in Thursday’s 7 p.m. Class 3A final, with the winner advancing to Saturday night’s Woodstock North supersectional.
“We’re about to shock the world,” an excited Wayland said.
Maybe so, considering Carmel isn’t used to playing volleyball this deep into the state tournament.
“The tradition at Carmel has been one-and-done in the playoffs,” said Pazely, a first-year head coach who’s a 2001 Carmel graduate.
“And here we are — sectional finals.”
Southern Illinois-bound Taylor Pippen and setter/right side Megan Mowery, who’s accepted a full-ride scholarship to NAIA St. Francis, pounded 7 and 6 kills, respectively, against Vernon Hills (22-16). Mowery also dished out 7 assists, while Jenelle DeWald lofted 14. Caitlin Barry buried 3 kills.
“We have a lot of talent,” Pazely said. “When these girls start talking to each on the floor, that’s when they come alive.”
Carmel spotted Vernon Hills an 8-4 lead in the opening set. Back-to-back aces by the Cougars’ Christie Currie staved off defeat, but Mowery slammed a kill to end it.
“I thought we did real well,” Wayland said. “The first game was a little shaky, but the second game we really brought it.”
It was the second time this season that Carmel defeated Vernon Hills, which was led by Megan Meline’s 7 kills and three apiece from Shannon Nugent and Rachel Lira.
“We ran into a tough team that served well and kept us out of system,” Cougars coach Abbie Gutzmer said. “We worked really hard today and all season long, so it’s tough to see it end. We will miss our six seniors, but have a good solid group that returns next season.”
Carmel remains focused on this season and, in particular, its great success against fellow Lake County teams.
The Corsairs beat Lakes earlier this season.
While fielding their usual starting lineup, the Corsairs have lost only to Lake Forest among Lake County teams. Lake Forest on Tuesday advanced to the Class 4A Buffalo Grove sectional final.
Carmel’s victims include Lake Zurich, Libertyville and Mundelein. The Corsairs went 2-3 at Grayslake Central’s tournament earlier this season, but due to a combination of ACT testing, injury and illness, Pazely did not play any of his starters.
“We’re all really close,” Wayland said. “We have really strong hitters.”
Jessie Wayland included.