Wauconda thrives in postseason

Cara Nance drove an attack through a block, giving Wauconda's girls volleyball team its first sectional championship in school history.

The determination by Nance epitomized that of her team since the state tournament started.

Wauconda (21-7), which ended the regular season with a .500 record, plays Marian Central (34-4) at 1 p.m. today in the Class 3A Hampshire supersectional in Kane County.

Marian Central set a school record for wins by rallying past Crystal Lake Central 22-25, 25-15, 25-21 in the Belvidere sectional final, as the Hurricanes' Emma Hussey slammed 11 kills.

Wauconda earned its berth in today's match by outlasting Grayslake Central 28-26, 22-25, 25-17 in the Grayslake Central sectional final Thursday night. Wauconda was the No. 3 seed in the sectional, while Grayslake Central was the top seed.

“That was the best we've ever player,” Wauconda junior middle Ali Morrison said.

The Bulldogs are led by powerful hitters in Nance and Erinn Hellweg and sophomore setter Megan Tallman, whose combination of height, long arms, savvy and skill allow her dump kills in addition to making great passes.

During one sequence in Game 3 against Grayslake Central, Hellweg and Tallman played role reversal. The 6-foot Hellweg set Tallman, who delivered a kill.

“We're lucky to have the Hellwegs, the Tallmans and the Nances, but (Thursday night) was a team effort,” said first-year coach Bob Taterka, a former assistant under Jonathan Grandt, whose 2009 Bulldogs also won a regional before losing in the sectional semifinals.

A key for Wauconda lately has been the contributions of other players, including Morrison, libero Becca Thiltgen and middle Gina Anselmo.

Wilhelm served 3 aces and contributed 2 third-game kills against Grayslake Central.

“Ava Wilhelm has picked the (right) time to just step up her game,” said Taterka, whose team won the Regina Dominican regional. “At this time of the year, you're looking for something a little bit extra from anybody, and she's done it.”

So has Morrison, who had 6 kills, 8 digs and 2 blocks Thursday, despite playing with an injured shoulder that will require surgery.

“An underrated player on our team is Ali Morrison,” Taterka said. “She plays so smart. You ask her to do something and she just gets it done.”

Taterka recently started rotating in Anselmo “just to serve rockets,” he said, and she has done just that.

Thiltgen and Nance led Wauconda's defensive effort against Grayslake Central with 19 digs apiece, while Hellweg added 15 and Tallman nine.

“I'm still in shock right now,” Hellweg said, as her team celebrated on Grayslake Central's court. “I'm so proud.”

Today's winner advances to the Final Four at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal and will play at 6 p.m. next Friday against the winner of today's 6 p.m. Ottawa supersectional between Joliet Catholic and Metamora.