Girls volleyball: Colton, Libertyville down St. Charles North, advance to state for first time since 2014
Growth has become an emerging theme for Libertyville setter Brynne Colton.
A rare freshman rotational player on a team that lost in a Class 4A supersectional last year, Colton wanted the Wildcats to go even further this season. To accomplish that, though, she had to take a few steps forward too.
“In the past year, my mental side as a player has grown,” Colton said. “Last year, I had never been in a situation like that, so it was a big shock. This year, I have more experience, and I know what to do when the pressure is on.”
Indeed, Colton ran the offense with confidence on Tuesday, when she recorded 14 assists in Libertyville’s 25-20, 25-20 win over St. Charles North in the Class 4A Fremd supersectional.
Senior outside hitter Carsen Sesi closed out each set with a kill for the Wildcats (39-1), who advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 2014 and will play Joliet West (37-3) at CEFCU Arena in Normal at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
“This shows how much we’ve grown as a team throughout the season,” Colton said. “We may have only lost once, but it’s not like every match has been easy for us. We’ve come through rocky patches, and this is what we have to show for it so far.”
Ensuring there’s no letup until the final point has been one of the many factors in the Wildcats’ seasonlong roll.
“We’ve talked about having a target on our back because of having such a good record,” Colton said. “Our coaches have preached for us to stay humble and keep pushing and working hard in practice every day.”
Colton’s scrappy, steady play in her sophomore season illustrates that.
“Last year, she got thrust into the limelight on a very good team full of very experienced players,” Libertyville coach Greg Loika said. “Her first experience in the postseason was a little bit of growing pains, and this year it’s been so evident that she’s not only been working on her game but her maturity, and how she commands herself on the court has greatly expanded.”
Against St. Charles North (25-15), the Wildcats took the lead for good in both games at the same juncture, 10-9, built comfortable cushions and avoided much drama down the stretch.
Colton did her part by not only racking up assists but also keeping points alive with an array of dives, lunges and saves. But she also recorded a kill in each game, which helped keep the North Stars on their toes.
Colton’s kill in the second game capped a 4-0 run that broke a 9-9 tie.
“Thinking about those times in big moments, you want to switch the momentum, and those plays can shift the crowd and everyone’s feelings, thinking one step ahead of the other side,” she said. “I’ve grown into knowing how to play my role a little better and do what I’m in control of.”
Colton and senior Mairead Fleming comprise an outstanding setter tandem for the Wildcats, and given the machine-like manner in which the offense churns through matches, there is a large measure of control on display.
“From last year, she’s matured a lot and flourished this whole season,” Libertyville junior outside hitter Emerson Zovistoski said of Colton. “She’s put in her best effort in every game, and it’s incredible to see her controlling the offense and running plays and excelling at everything she does.
“She knew that we needed her to lock in and be a big part of this team, and that’s exactly what she’s done.”
Colton isn’t the first person in her family to excel on the volleyball court for Libertyville. Her older sister, Mia, played for the 2023 team that lost in a supersectional, and their mother, Arian, played on the 1993 that went 36-0 before losing in a regional championship match.
Arian Colton, who has been Grayslake Central’s coach for seven seasons, is happy to see Brynne and her teammates break through.
“It’s amazing for both her and the team,” Arian Colton said. “She loves it, so it’s so fun to watch her do something that she loves and I also love.
“I always dreamed of going downstate, so for her to have this opportunity is something she’ll carry with her the rest of her life. She finally got us over the hump.”