Cary-Grove's 48th straight 2nd best in IHSA history
With a solid group returning from last season's Class 4A state championship team, Cary-Grove girls volleyball coach Patty Langanis was looking for someone to assume the role as No. 2 middle blocker in support of Ashley Rosch.
Langanis found what she was looking for in 6-foot-2 sophomore Mallory Wilczynski.
Wilczynski, a member of the junior varsity team a year ago, contributed 5 kills with 3 blocks to help lead the Trojans to a 25-22, 25-11 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division over Jacobs in Cary Tuesday night.
The win is the Trojans' 48th straight win, which ties Bresse Mater-Dei (1993-94) for the second longest win streak in IHSA girls volleyball history.
“I know what my role is and I know I have to step up, said Wilczynski. “We have such great leadership from the seniors and they are intense and make sure we focus on our goals every week. It is fun to play on this team because we have so many unique personalities on this team.
Langanis has seen Wilczynski improve steadily as the season has gone on.
“Mallory is a dynamic player who is very mature and mentally tough, said Langanis. “Mallory is very serious about her game and gives us another offensive threat. Her size in the middle really helps us at the net.
Cary-Grove (32-0, 7-0) was tested by the scrappy Golden Eagles (17-12, 2-5) in Game 1.
After a kill by Alyssa Ehrhardt, Jacobs spurted to a 22-21 lead. But that would be the last point the Golden Eagles would score in the game.
With Rosch and Melaine Jereb collecting 2 kills apiece the Trojans scored the final 4 points to win Game 1.
In Game 2 with the score tied at 5, Cary-Grove seized control with 8 straight points. Rosch, Wilczynski and Kelly Lamberti blasted 2 kills each as the Trojans sprinted to a 13-5 lead. The Golden Eagles didn't threaten and get any closer.
A kill by Colleen Smith gave the Trojans their biggest lead of the game at 23-8. A kill by Allison Whimpey gave Cary-Grove the game and match.
With 10 kills from Lamberti, along with 9 kills and 23 assists from Smith, the Trojans remained perfect on the season.
Ehrhardt paced the Golden Eagles with 12 kills and 3 blocks.
“I was really proud of my team with the way they played in the first game, said Jacobs coach Lisa Dwyer. “We made it easy for them to run their speed offense in the second game. We made too many mistakes. But I really like the progress of this team.