Top-seeded CL Central finally stops St. Viator

The most successful season in St. Viator girls volleyball history ended Thursday night at Vernon Hills High School.

But the memories will never end for the Viator players who won a school-record 29 matches and advanced farther in the state tournament than any previous Lions team.

It took the top-seeded team, Crystal Lake Central, to finally end the run of the No. 2 Lions with a 25-19, 25-20 victory in the Class 3A sectional championship game.

The Lions (29-10) had their moments in each game, leading 10-6 in Game 1 and tied at 14-14 in Game 2, but the Tigers (36-3) seemed to always have an answer, denying the Lions a major rally.

"I thought we could have played better," said Lions coach Charlie Curtin. "But that's (Fox Valley Conference Fox Division co-champ Crystal Lake Central) a good team."

For Curtin, this was his best team.

"Hands down," he said. "The best I've coached, boys or girls, volleyball or basketball. We had our ups and downs at times, but these girls did everything I asked. I couldn't have asked for more from them."

Ask any of his girls, and they'll tell you it was a great high school experience.

"Absolutely amazing," said senior Kelly Travaglio. "Every single girl made this season great. We just clicked. It was amazing."

"I made so many friends and loved my team so much," said senior Mary Calov.

The Lions' fans loved the first part of Game 1 when junior Emily Leazer's kill put Viator ahead 7-6, followed by 3 straight service points by Calov for the10-6 advantage.

But the Tigers then flexed their muscles, reeling off 10 straight points to take command.

"St. Viator played hard," said Tigers veteran coach Doug Blundy, whose team was led on attack by 6-foot-1 senior Lindsay Anderson (7 kills) and 6-1 sophomore Amelia Anderson (6 kills). "They (Lions) made a few more mistakes than I expected but we made a few more than I expected, too.

"They (St. Viator) dug a lot of balls on defense. I thought their libero (senior Stephanie Rountree) played very well."

Rountree collected 11 digs for the Lions, followed by Leazer (9), Calov (4) and Lauren Bunda (3).

Top attackers for the Lions were Leazer (6 kills), Christina Brinkman (5), Kelly McConnell (3) and Travaglio (3) as they took their cues from junior setter Carlyn Clevenger (18 assists).

"It's always disappointing to end your season," Brinkman said. "But we went farther than any team in St. Viator history and we never gave up in this last match. I'm going to miss being with this team every day for the past four years."

"Never a dull practice," Curtin said. "Everyone contributed. Our bench players. our starters. Everyone had an active role in our success. We won as a team and we lost as a team.

"These girls set the stage for future teams. They kind of put St. Viator volleyball on the map. It won't be taken for granted anymore."