Strong finish for Carmel at Lake Forest
Carmel Catholic and Lakes had played each other three times this girls volleyball season heading into Saturday's Lake Forest invitational.
They added two more matches to that total, the last of which determined the invite champion.
Carmel prevailed 25-15, 26-28, 25-13 in the final. Corsairs coach David Pazely called it a "great day" for his team, as it "overcame our tournament challenge of making it to the finals but then falling short and settling for second," he said.
Carmel started the day by beating Lakes 25-19, 25-19, before netting wins over Hoffman Estates (25-16, 25-11), Regina Dominican (25-16, 25-16) and McHenry (25-20, 25-20).
By besting Lakes in the final, Carmel improved its record against the Eagles this season to 4-1 and 19-4 overall.
"Game 2, they fought back as they always do," Pazely said. "We had the chance to finish it in two but made too many errors at the end. (We) took care of business in the third with a dominant performance."
Grace Schofield and Sierra Kepski made the all-tournament team for Carmel.
"I thought Morgan Meade should have earned it too," Pazely said. "But even without it, she had a huge day."
Schofield delivered 49 kills, 14 aces, 31 digs and 4 blocks. Kepski chalked up 66 digs, while also contributing 2 kills, 6 assists and 2 aces. Meade had 34 kills, 51 assists, 8 aces, 29 digs and 5 blocks. Grace Butler dished out 61 assists, while also chipping in 17 kills, 7 aces, 18 digs and 3 blocks.
Lakes (21-4 overall) won its three other matches in tournament. The Eagles' victories were over Regina (25-22, 25-10), Hoffman Estates (25-7, 25-8) and Joliet West (27-25, 25-20).
Lakes placed setter Maddie Demo on the all-tournament team. She rang up 93 assists, 5 aces, 34 digs and 6 kills. Lakes also received big efforts from McKenna Lahr (39 kills, 38 digs, 4 aces, 4 blocks), Izzy Huntington (22 kills, 4 aces, 33 digs), Allie Grandos (17 kills, 10 blocks, 8 digs), Katie Billetdeaux (15 kills, 12 blocks) and Kaylee Romeo (7 kills, 9 blocks).
Lake Forest (3-2) was led by sophomore libero Brigid Brennan, who was named to the all-tournament team. She posted a 1.73 serve-receive average (3-point scale), while also recording 44 digs and serving for 18 points (3 aces). The Scouts' other contributors included junior Jackie Turck (2.0 SR average), senior Jenna Dethlefsen (38 kills, 10 aces, 4 blocks), sophomore Meghan McGrail (28 kills), sophomore Ashley Williams (24 kills, 4 blocks) and sophomore setters Ashley Amos (42 assists) and Emma Patlovich (47 assists).