Girls volleyball roundup: Libertyville clinches fourth straight regional title with win vs. Fremd

Libertyville's girls volleyball team, top-seeded in the Class 4A Lake Zurich sectional, kept its banner season alive on Thursday night with a 25-18, 22-25, 25-23 victory over No. 8-seeded Fremd in the championship match of the Palatine regional.

Coach Greg Loika, who earned his 500th win less than two weeks ago, watched his Wildcats earn the program's 30th regional crown and its fourth straight by improving to 36-1 while the Vikings finished 23-14.

Carmel d. Hersey: No. 2 Carmel (30-6) won the Class 4A Wheeling regional championship with a 25-22, 25-22 triumph over No. 7 Hersey (25-12).

Setter Charlotte Shepherd handed out 20 assists for the Corsairs, who were led on attack by Brailyn Albanese (seven kills) and Shea Kelly (five kills).

Libero Beca Arreola had 16 digs while Emma Faulstick served 4 aces on 9 of 9 serving.

“Hersey got out to big leads in each of the sets and we had to battle back late each time,” said Carmel coach David Pazely. “Our serve receive was outstanding in the second set (led by Arreola). Hersey's libero (Freya McBride) played some incredible defense to keep them in it, but we were able to rally, survive and advance.”

Lake Zurich d Stevenson: No. 3 Lake Zurich (27-6) won the Class 4A Warren regional championship with a dramatic 26-24, 20-25, 26-24 triumph over Stevenson (27-10).

It was the Bears' 11th regional title and first since 2013.

Sage Olson (20 kills, 17 assists), Emerson Smith (eight kills), Brynn Hartman (nine kills), Malia McManus (seven digs) and Ella Elsen (20 assists) led the Bears.

“I'm proud of the way our team competed and earned a big victory over Stevenson,” said Bears coach Rachel Wiatrowski. “This group showed tremendous heart, toughness and belief in one another. Wins like this are built on preparation, commitment and a team-first mentality.”

The Patriots’ Abby Inman finished her last match with a personal-high 22 kills as the Pats set a school record with 48 kills in the match.

“It was an incredible match that could have gone either way,” said Patriots coach Tim Crow. “Congratulations to the Lake Zurich players and coaches.”

Other top attackers for Stevenson were Meda D'Ammando (10 kills), Cate Taborek (five kills, two blocks) and Audri Linnane (six kills, four blocks) while Ryler Bondad (23 assists) and Jane Tan (18 assists) set the offense.

“I'm thankful for our seniors and all that they have meant to our program,” Crow said.

Lakes d. Prairie Ridge: Top-seeded Lakes (28-6) posted a 25-18, 25-22 victory over No. 4 Prairie Ridge (19-17) for the title of the Class 3A Cary-Grove regional.

Addison Sundquist (10 kills, 10 digs), Natalia Sanabria (6 kills). Brynn Skinner (5 kills, 12 digs). Sammi Madsen (29 assists, 3 aces) and Lovelyn Zamora (18 dig) were leaders for the Eagles.

“I’m incredibly proud of how the team battled all season,” said Lakes coach Sarah Yeager, who directed the Eagles to their seventh regional title in program history and second in three years. “And we’re excited to keep this momentum going as we move on to sectionals.”

St. Viator d. Wauconda: No. 6 St. Viator (16-19) won the Class 3A Wauconda regional championship 23-25, 25-22, 25-18 over the No. 4 and host Bulldogs (18-16) for its third straight regional crown and 11th overall.

Coach Charlie Curtin's Lions were led on attack by Olivia Walberg (12 kills), Katherine Courtney (5), Quinn Jones (4), Olive Meyers (6), Allison Wade (4) as Rose Berlen (17 assists) and Abby Bomely (14 assists) set the offense.

Grayslake Central d. Deerfield: No. 7 Grayslake Central (18-18) pulled out a 26-24, 15-25, 25-23 victory over No. 2 Deerfield (24-11) in the championship of its own Class 3A regional. It was the Rams' seventh regional crown in program history and second in four years under coach Arian Colton.

“This team has been really finding its groove over the last couple weeks of the season,” Colton said. “I am very impressed with the manner in which we remained poised and stuck to a game plan. Both Amiyah Miller (nine kills) and Evie Hollenstein (11 kills) had big nights. I was really happy to see the way they stepped up. Sometimes winning in volleyball is just all about timing. And we are playing well at the right time.”

Blake Pekofsky added five kills for the Rams, while Julianna Féria had 20 digs.

Vernon Hills d. Resurrection: Coach Max Spiglanin's top-seeded Cougars (26-9) won 25-11, 25-17 over the No. 8 Bandits (22-14) in the Class 3A Ridgewood regional championship.

Vernon Hills' other titles came in 2010, 2011 and 2022.

Maine South d. Lake Park: Coach Jon Weiland's No. 3 Hawks (23-13) claimed a 25-22, 25-21 triumph over No. 6 Lake Park (21-12) in the championship of their own Class 4A regional championship in Park Ridge.

It was the Hawks' 10th regional title in program history and second in four seasons under Weiland.

Glenbrook North d. Barrington: No. 5 Glenbrook North (21-8) defeated No. 4 Barrington 23-25, 26-24, 25-18 to win the Class 4A Grant regional final. The Mid-Suburban League champion Fillies finished 27-10.

Kalyn Brookbank (19 kills, 10 digs), Maddie Black (six kills), Alessandra Mirkovich (six kills) and Lexi Szlezak (five kills) led the Barrington attack, which was set by Eve Adler (19 assists, five kills). Libero Toni Rojas had 14 digs.

“We lost a close match to (Glenbrook North),” said Fillies coach Michelle Mayer, whose team went 10-0 in the MSL East. “We had a great season and I'm very proud of this team.”

Niles West d. Rolling Meadows: No. 5 Niles West (24-13) won its own Class 4A regional title with a 25-22, 25-22 victory over Mid-Suburban West champion and No. 4 seed Rolling Meadows (27-10).