Classic victory for Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich has been Lake County's best girls volleyball team most of the season, and the Bears proved it again Saturday.

Lake Zurich wrapped up the two-day Crosstown Classic by defeating Lake Forest 25-20, 25-23 in the championship match at Libertyville.

The Bears (29-6) went 5-0, allowing them to successfully defend their title. They also topped Mundelein (25-16, 25-16), Vernon Hills (25-17, 25-20), North Chicago (25-11, 25-14) and Deerfield (25-23, 25-16).

Against Lake Forest, Jenn Grunden slammed 7 kills for Lake Zurich, while Audrey Bauer added 5 blocks.

Mundelein (25-9) captured third place thanks to a 25-13, 25-22 win over Libertyville.

Stevenson (21-14) took fifth by outlasting Zion-Benton 25-27, 25-14, 25-15.

The state tournament begins this week.

College cross country

Skyway Conference meet: College of Lake County freshman Alyssa Sowers (Zion-Benton) finished 10th in the women's race to earn all-conference honors in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference meet held Saturday at Waubonsee Community College.

Cynthia Hernandez (Round Lake), the Lancers' only other runner, finished 23rd.

In the men's race, Spenser Simon (Warren) and Nick Lane (Grayslake North) nearly upset Waubonsee's predicted first-through-fifth finish. Simon finished sixth in 28:13 and Lane placed eighth in 28:25.

Waubonsee won the team title with 15 points followed by Morton (81), Oakton (88), Moraine Valley (95), CLC (125), Elgin (134) and Prairie State (186).

"We've been improving steadily this past month," CLC coach Steve Blomgren said, " and we think we can continue to do so."

Other Lancer runners included Jorge Colin (36th, 32:33), Eric Zeddies (39th, 32:41), Kyle Mikels (46th, 35:21) Mark Miedziejewski (48th, 35:55) and Mike Woodall (52nd, 43:18).

Next up for CLC will be the Region 4 meet to be held at Waubonsee next Saturday at 11 a.m.