Crystal Lake South keeps rolling along

Not only have the Crystal Lake South Gators dominated most teams they have played this season, they usually do so in quick fashion.

In a nifty 35 minutes, South cruised past Jacobs 25-13, 25-16 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls volleyball action at The Swamp in Crystal Lake Tuesday.

“This team comes into matches with a very businesslike attitude,” said Gators’ coach Jorie Fontana, a former standout at Jacobs. ‘’Tonight, we came out and played smart and with a lot of energy. This group doesn’t celebrate points and they just take each point as it comes. This group trusts each other and they don’t care who gets the kill or the point.’’

The balanced and talent-laden Gator attack was led by Carly Nolan, who collected 11 kills. Bowling Green-bound senior Nicole Slimko delivered 9 kills with 3 aces while Sara Mickow and Avalon Nero (2 aces) deposited 5 kills each.

Setting up the powerful Gator offense is junior setter Cassy Sivesand, who garnered 27 assists.

“We have so many weapons and we do a great of job of spreading out our offense,” said Nero. “We are tough to defend. We played with a lot of energy tonight and we played with a lot of consistency.”

In Game 1, there were 5 lead changes and ties early on before the Gators seized control.

With the score tied at 10, South (22-2, 7-0) scored 12 straight points led by 4 kills each by Slimko and Nolan along with 2 kills from Emma Burkle. Slimko also contributed 2 aces. The game-winner came on a kill from Nero.

Like the first game, Jacobs stayed with the Gators early in Game 2 before South took control.

With Crystal Lake South leading 18-13, the Gators doubled their lead to 10, 23-13, with a 5-0 run capped by a kill from Nolan.

South claimed the game and match on a kill by Burkle.

“South is a very good team that has a lot of weapons and is very tough to defend,” said Jacobs coach Lisa Dwyer, “They are very good at the net. I am happy we improved in the second game. We would score some points but we could never get the momentum in the match.’’

The youthful Golden Eagles, (10-8, 2-5), who boast only one senior in setter Mackie Traub, were led by Bridget Wallenberger and Allie Campbell with 5 kills apiece. Traub collected 15 assists for the visitors.