Girls volleyball: Cary-Grove downs Huntley for 12th straight

Playing 8 matches in six days, you might think Cary-Grove would suffer from a severe case of fatigue

Forget about it.

The Trojans, winners of 12 straight matches, looked well rested in defeating Huntley 25-14, 25-20 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls volleyball action in Cary Tuesday night.

"The first game was difficult at the beginning," said Cary-Grove senior Sarah Graham. "We were more focused in the second game and we were able to get some energy. We got a good win against a great Huntley team."

Illinois-Springfield recruit Ali Splitt spearheaded the Trojans' (13-1, 3-0) balanced offensive attack with 8 kills and 5 blocks. Graham added 4 kills, Delaney Bayer collected 8 digs and Emily Schuster served 3 aces.

"When we are in system we are a tough team to stop," said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. "With Sarah playing well, that gives us another offensive weapon. Delaney did a great job of leading our defense. She is amazing."

In Game 1, there were six lead changes before Cary-Grove grabbed the lead for good at 13-12 on a kill by Splitt.

Leading 17-14, the Trojans responded by scoring the final 8 points, capped by an ace by Schuster. Leading the charge for the Trojans during the surge were Madison Katchen, Splitt and Graham with 2 kills each.

Actually in Game 2, the Red Raiders led early. A kill by Erin Erb gave Huntley (5-3, 1-1) an 11-8 advantage. It was the Red Raiders' biggest lead of the game.

There were nine lead changes before Cary-Grove took the lead for good, 19-18, on a kill by Splitt.

Huntley refused to quit and responded by tying the game at 20 on a kill by Alyson Dion but the Trojans ended the game and match with 5 unanswered points.

A kill by Katchen off a perfectly executed set from Bradley recruit Erin Olson gave the Trojans their 12th consecutive win.

Schuster served 2 aces and Splitt collected a kill during the pivotal 5-0 run.

Erb led Huntley with 4 kills, Dion added 3 kills with 11 digs and Aleah Amelio delivered 3 kills.

"We are a young team and made some young mistakes," said Huntley coach Karen Naymola, a 1999 graduate of Cary-Grove."We didn't play to our full potential the first game but played much better the second game. Cary-Grove has a lot of solid hitters and are very tough to defend."