Girls volleyball: Crystal Lake Central downs Huntley

Crystal Lake Central's confidence picked up noticeably after a few long rallies and kills went its way late in the first set, turning a three-point deficit against Huntley into a lead the Tigers never would relinquish again.

Senior outsider hitter Maddy McCormick had a standout night for the Tigers, finishing with a match-high 12 kills, two blocks and two aces in Central's 25-22, 25-22 Fox Valley Conference sweep against Huntley.

The win kept the Tigers, who have FVC championship aspirations after placing runner-up to Huntley a year ago, undefeated in conference play with matches remaining against Crystal Lake South, Dundee-Crown and McHenry before the end-of-season FVC Tournament.

"We obviously wanted it really bad," said McCormick, a four-year varsity player and Colorado State commit. "We obviously want to take conference. We want to win, so I think it's just another step toward that final goal.

"I think the whole reason we came back was our energy. We all started to get hyped. We had some good plays at the end that really got us up, and that also puts the other team down a little bit. Obviously things have been kind of crazy [this season], so it's really exciting to get the win."

Central (6-1, 6-0 FVC) came back from a 21-18 deficit in the first set, ending it on a 7-1 run after a timeout. McCormick recorded the first three kills out of the break, while junior outsider hitter McKenna Timmerman ended the first-set comeback with two kills and a block.

"This was probably one of the most important games of the season, just because [Huntley] is always a very good team," said Timmerman, who had six kills, 10 digs and a block. "I was super motivated because I knew that they were up and it was important to win the first set. I just put all my energy out there to help my team out."

Central raced out to an 11-4 lead in the second set, but the Raiders (5-3, 4-2) responded with a big run of their own after trailing, 20-14. Huntley eventually got to within a point at 23-22 but the Tigers finished the set and match after a hitting error by the Red Raiders and McCormick's 12th and final kill.

Huntley's Lauren Bauer had a team-leading seven kills, Maggie Duyos had 12 assists and Luma Acevedo recorded 22 digs for the Raiders. Sophomore Ally Panzloff suffered an abdominal injury in warmups, but played through it and finished with four kills.

"I thought we played aggressive and a lot of people stepped up for us," Raiders coach Karen Naymola said. "Unfortunately, we didn't have enough weapons compared to all the weapons Central had. Even when they're not running their offense, they're still getting aggressive attacks."

For Central, Madeline Timmerman had three kills, two blocks and two aces, Karina Simatos tallied 16 digs and an ace, Corynne Hausler had 23 assists, and Mary Grace Gallagher added three kills and two blocks.

All four of the Tigers' seniors - McCormick, Madeline Timmerman, Simatos and Ellen White - started and ended the match on Central's senior night.

"To win at home on senior night is always special," Central coach Lisa Brunstrum said. "To leave it all out on the court together one last time as a class, I think it means a lot to them."