Defending state champ Cary-Grove holds off Johnsburg
Being the defending Class 4A state volleyball champs, Cary-Grove realizes every opponent it faces during the 2010 campaign will be ready to give their best effort against the Trojans.
Tuesday's opponent, Johnsburg, led in both games, but in the end the powerful Trojans had too much firepower for the Skyhawks.
Moving to 2-0 on the young season, Cary-Grove claimed its home opener over the upset-minded Skyhawks 25-23, 25-17 in a Fox Valley Conference crossover match in Cary.
"Being the state champs is a different feeling than we have ever had here at Cary-Grove," said Trojans coach Patty Langanis. "We know everybody on our schedule will be ready to play against us. We will be challenged every match and that is a good thing.
"Johnsburg challenged us and played very well. Our team is very goal-oriented and we are a long ways from the state tournament. We want to get better every match."
The play of the Trojans' front line which consisted of seniors Kelli Lamberti (7 kills, 2 aces, 11 digs) and Allison Wimpey (6 kills, 3 aces) and junior Ashley Rosch (5 kills, 2 aces), along with the precise setting of Indiana-bound senior Colleen Smith (16 assists, 3 aces) propelled the Trojans to victory.
"This was a very tough match," said Rosch. "Johnsburg played very well, but we can expect that every match. Everybody will be ready to play us. We had a lot of nerves with this being our first home match of the season. We started serving better and hitting better in the second game. It is easy to hit with Colleen setting. She is an amazing setter and she always puts the ball in a great place to hit This was a good match to win."
In Game 1, with the Trojans trailing 23-22, Cary-Grove scored the final 3 points to take a 1-0 lead in the match. Rosch's kills gave the Trojans the game.
Tied 13-13 in Game 2, the Trojans broke the game open with 8 straight points.
Rosch's 2 kills and Wimpey's 2 aces were key to the Trojans' decisive run. Rosch's ace gave the Trojans the game and match.
Carly Schmitt's 6 kills paced the Skyhawks. Aubrey Wanta added 5 kills and setter Megan Davis had 11 assists.