CLS trips up Cary-Grove
Ali Meyers wasn't worried about the situation..
The Crystal Lake South libero just wanted to execute a good serve.
She got more than she bargained for.
Meyers served 4 aces in the latter part of Game 3 as the Gators outlasted Cary-Grove 25-21, 20-25, 25-23 in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division match at Gator Alley Thursday night.
With the Gators (10-4, 4-0) trailing 21-20 in the decisive third game, Meyers went to work.
The Crystal Lake South senior, who had 6 aces on the night, served 4 consecutive aces as the Gators built a 24-21 lead.
"When I was serving tonight, I wasn't thinking about the score I just wanted to focus on a good serve," said Meyers. "I had confidence in myself."
A pair of kills by Danielle Smith pulled the Trojans within a point, 24-23 before the Gators pulled out the game and match on a net call on Cary-Grove.
"Ali Meyers was on fire tonight," said South coach Laura Jensen. "She really wanted it. "
Jensen praised her team's perseverance.
"We just dug deep at the end of the match and we were able to stay positive even when things went wrong," she said. "Cary-Grove is a very good team and they really pushed us."
In Game 1, the Gators broke it open midway through. With the score tied at 10, the Gators ripped off 7 straight points courtesy of 3 kills from Katie Trayser and 2 blocks from Erin Johnson to take a 17-10 lead.
The Trojans (19-5, 3-1) battled back and tied it up at 20 on an ace from Erin Wahl. But the Gators showed resiliency and scored 4 consecutive points to take a 24-20 lead.
Two kills and an ace by Morgan Kilberger spearheaded a 4-0 surge by the Gators. Caitlin Schumacher's kill gave the Gators a 1-0 lead in the match.
In Game 2, there were 5 lead changes before the Trojans took the lead for good 18-17 on an ace by Kelly Lamberti.
The Gators tied the game at 20 on a kill by Trayser but the Trojans came back to score the final 5 points capped by a kill by Jamie Kuhl.
Trayser led the Gators with 12 kills while Kilberger compiled 9 kills.
"This is insane," said Trayser. "I am totally excited. It is an amazing feeling to win this match. "
Danielle Smith and Allison Straumann contributed 8 kills apiece for the Trojans while Lamberti delivered 7 kills and Kuhl had 6 blocks. Erin Wahl contributed 8 digs and 3 aces and setter Abbey Heredia collected 26 assists.
"We will probably play them three more times this season," said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. "They have a big, talented and athletic team. "
Dundee-Crown d. Woodstock: Dundee-Crown (14-5, 2-2) defeated Woodstock 25-19, 23-25, 25-18 in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division match. Amanda Lutzow had 15 kills, Katie Cutinello had 20 assists, and Stephanie Thorsen had 4 kills and 5 blocks for the Chargers.
Crystal Lake Central d. Huntley: ŒHuntley (8-11, 0-4) fell to Crystal Lake Central 25-15, 25-13 in an FVC Fox match. Krissy Bergquist had 5 kills, Toni Jaehnig had 4 kills and 4 digs, and Allyson Stellmach had 3 kills and 5 digs. Amanda Carroll had 12 assists.
Jacobs d. McHenry: Jacobs took home a FVC Valley win over McHenry 25-21, 23-25, 26-24. Laruen Pigatto had 10 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace, and 10 digs to lead the Golden Eagles. Stacie Weinert and Amy Cavanaugh added 5 kills, while Keri Bultman had 4 kills and 4 blocks.
Bartlett d. South Elgin: South Elgin (6-11) was led by Alexa Kruel with 4 kills, Hayley Bradley with 3 kills and Genevieve Johnson with 7 digs in an Upstate Eight loss to Bartlett. Bartlett failed to report information on the match.
Westminster Christian d. Luther North: Westminster Christian (5-14, 1-5) claimed its first Private School League victory of the season, defeating Luther North in two games 25-21, 25-16. Lindsay Burket had 5 kills, Hannah Guge had 8 digs and 1 ace, and Katie Webster had 4 aces, 1 block and 1 kill for the Warriors.