Girls volleyball: Kaneland dumps Carmel

Kaneland won its 34th match of the season and 24th in a row.

But it wasn't easy.

The Knights grinded out an 18-25, 25-20, 25-20 win over pesky Carmel Catholic in semifinal action of the Class 3A Woodstock North girls volleyball sectional Monday night.

Kaneland will play Sterling for the sectional title Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The Golden Warriors advanced to the championship contest with a 25-11, 25-14 win over host Woodstock North.

"We played nervous in the first game and played not to lose," said Kaneland coach Cyndi Violett. "We missed too may serves. Between the first and second game I told the team to relax and play better mentally. We were much more consistent in the last two games."

Senior Katie Jablonski, a 4-year starter for the Knights, led the way with 25 kills, 4 blocks and 2 aces.

"Coach told us after the first game we had to get heads out of our butts," said Jablonski. "We played too tight and missed so many serves. We were unfocused in the first game. They are a really good team and we knew we had to play better. We played with much more energy the last two games."

Violett trusts Jablonski will lead the Knights to victory.

"Katie has been a valuable player for four years and has played in a lot of big games," said Violett. "Even in the first game when we didn't play well as a team Katie was outstanding. She is very consistent. She was key to us winning the second and third games."

Grace Franz aided Jablonski with 17 kills, 4 blocks and 3 aces.

Carmel (22-16), which entered the game with a 8-game winning streak, was paced by Eileen Tarcha with 12 kills while Annie Bart contributed 7 kills and Tayah Faris collected 4 kills and 3 blocks. Kaitlyn Dontlon had 17 set assists for the Corsairs.

"Six weeks ago if you would have told me we would be playing in the sectionals I wouldn't have believed it," said Carmel coach Dave Pazely. "We became a new team 3 to 4 weeks ago with a new chemistry. We elevated our game collectively and peaked as a team. We have been playing very good volleyball. Kaneland earned the win tonight. We didn't give them anything. They got some good swings and got as lot of points down the lines."

In Game 1 there were 7 lead changes before Carmel scored the final 5 points capped by a block by Farris.

In Game 2, Kaneland knotted the match at 1-1 on an ace by Grace Vranicar and the game-winner came on a kill by Jablonski.

In the decisive third game, the Knights advanced to sectional title game on a kill by Franz.