Pats rally to tip GBN in semis

In their Class 4A sectional semifinal Thursday, the Stevenson Patriots showed just how important momentum can be for a volleyball team.

After dropping the first game 25-19 to No. 2 seed Glenbrook North, third-seeded Stevenson (29-9) saw the Spartans close within a point midway through the second game. But an Amanda Fleischman tip gave the Pats a sideout, and Hannah Burke followed with an 11-point service run.

That put Stevenson up 19-6 on its way to a 25-9 win, and the Patriots never trailed in a 25-18 third game as they advanced to play Maine South for the Niles North sectional title.

"Hannah did a good job serving us a bunch of points in a row when we needed them," Stevenson coach Tim Crow. "The girls did a good job at the net. That was a good run, and it kind of got Glenbrook North on their heels a little bit."

The Patriots had led by 6 points early in the opener before Glenbrook North took its first lead at 9-8 on a pair of service aces. But the Stevenson defense -- both in the back row and at the net -- ensured no such comeback in the third game.

The closest the Spartans got was 3 points late on a hitting error. But they couldn't return a hard drive by outside hitter Kelly Hall, who then served the match's final 3 points (including an ace), helped by 2 kills from the middle of the net by fellow senior Margaret Salata.

"In that third game, the girls just got into kind of a rhythm and they were able to get some good timing," Crow said. "Our passing was very good and that made a big difference."

At Antioch: Crystal Lake Central remained undefeated by winning the Class 3A sectional.

The Tigers (39-0) defeated Marian Central 25-16, 25-21 in the final, after ousting Harvard 25-9, 25-19 in the semifinals.

Marian Central beat Johnsburg 25-17, 25-15 in the semifinals.

Crystal Lake Central advances to Monday's 6 p.m. Vernon Hills supersectional.