Lake Zurich knocks off Stevenson in 3

If this were years past, Lake Zurich coach Matt Aiello might have had to have been strapped to his chair.

Good thing for him that the IHSA made that rule change before the season that allows volleyball head coaches to stand during matches. They can pace, jump, squat, stand on their tip toes, celebrate like the players do after a point.

That suits the antsy Aiello, whose Bears typically play with the same enthusiasm.

"We don't even save a seat for me," Aiello said.

Aiello, who's shorter than some of his middle hitters, stood proud Saturday. Playing on its home court, Lake Zurich outlasted rival Stevenson 25-20, 17-25, 25-18 to capture its first regional championship since 2005.

The Bears (31-6) advance to the Class 4A Stevenson sectional and will play Fremd at 7 p.m. Tuesday, after Mundelein takes on Hersey.

Stevenson (22-15), which improved greatly as the season progressed, had lost to Lake Zurich in two games during the regular season.

"We've improved since we've played them," Patriots junior middle hitter Kierstyn Hansen said. "We improved a lot on our blocking, and me, personnaly, I improved a lot on my blocking. We improved a lot defensively. We practiced a lot on serve-receive for this match. Everyone did unbelievable. I'm so happy to have all the seniors on my team. I'm so glad I got to play with them."

Hansen helped spark Stevenson. While her block that pulled the Patriots within 24-20 in Game 1 was answered by one of Jenn Grunden's match-best 15 kills for Lake Zurich, she continued to be a presence at the net.

Hansen finished with 5 kills on 11-of-12 hitting, 2 solo blocks and 5 assisted blocks.

"This was the best match she's played all year," Stevenson coach Tim Crow said.

Hansen's block ended Game 2, which the Patriots took control of by scoring 8 of 9 points to go up 20-14.

But in the decisive game, Lake Zurich started strong and wouldn't be denied. The Bears refused to be fazed even after Grunden got knocked over by a Carlee Berland blast off her shoulder.

Despite winning 30-plus matches in each of the previous two seasons, Lake Zurich had not gotten out of the regional. Grunden insisted that wasn't on the players' minds.

"I think we were more concentrated on just getting it done," Grunden said. "We knew what we did wrong in the second game and just picked it up for the third game."

Lake Zurich jumped out to a 6-2 lead in Game 3 and didn't relent, as Grunden led the way with several impressive kills.

"I told the girls after Game 1 that (Stevenson) is going to fight back," Aiello said. "I said they're going to do everything that they can to extend this match, so if they get Game 2, stay calm and you'll win Game 3. My girls played with a lot of poise in Game 3."

Brittany Murawski added 10 kills and Alex Karigan had six for Lake Zurich, which also saw Alexis Hartman and Monica Kloep dish out 15 and 13 assists, respectively, Audrey Bauer post 5 blocks and Amanda Orchard slam 4 kills.

Rachel Baader and Berland each had 7 kills for Stevenson. Amber Hughes recorded 21 digs, and Maggie Lundstrom set 33 of 33 with 13 assists.

"It was frustrating because we were making great play after great play," Crow said. "We'd get the ball over and then (Lake Zurich) would turn around and make a great play. They just answered our great plays with their great plays."