Girls volleyball: Cary-Grove outlasts Huntley
Cary-Grove simply refused to lose.
Dropping the first set to Huntley 25-21, the Trojans rallied to win the second and third games 26-24, 25-22 to claim the match over the previously undefeated Red Raiders in Fox Valley Conference girls volleyball action in Huntley Tuesday night.
"It has certainly been a roller-coaster ride early in the season," said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. "We have really struggled so this was a needed win. Huntley is a very talented team and we took a step forward tonight. The kids hung in there and didn't quit."
The heroes were many for the Trojans.
Junior setter Amber Olson, replacing her sister Erin, a 4-year starter and currently playing at Bradley University, collected 30 assists with 6 kills and 3 aces.
"Huntley is an amazing team and we have so much respect for them," said Olson, who will play collegiately at Division I Central Florida. "We had to work for every point. This is a great win for our team. We never quit. I have huge shoes to fill replacing Erin. I just try to do the best I can to help the team win."
Freshman Evynn Layshock and senior Madison Katchen paced the Trojans (5-5, 2-3) with 10 kills each. Senior middle blocker Rebecca Elrod added 6 blocks with 6 kills.
Katharine Selsky served 3 aces, 2 in the pivotal third game and Emily Schuster delivered 2 aces for the winners.
Southeast Missouri recruit Alyson Dion led the Red Raiders (3-1, 3-1) with 17 kills, 20 digs and 3 aces.
Julia Johnson delivered 11 kills while Aleah Amelio and Caitlin Thorelius collected 8 kills each for Huntley. Freshman setter Taylor Jakubowski had 22 assists.
"This wasn't our best match," said Huntley coach Karen Naymola. "Our serve receive, which has been very good in the early part of the season, wasn't very good tonight. We need to work hard in practice and regroup as a team. Give Cary-Grove credit. They played a phenomenal match tonight."
In the pivotal third game, the Trojans took the lead for good 22-21 on a kill from Layshock. A kill from Shaelyn Foy gave the Trojans the game and the match.
In Game 2, Cary-Grove broke an early 2-2 deadlock with a 7-0 run capped by an ace from Schuster to take a 9-2 advantage.
The Raiders whittled away at the lead and tied the game at 14 on a kill by Johnson. Huntley's biggest advantage was 19-15 after a kill by Dion.
It was Cary-Grove's turn to rally and the Trojans tied the game at 21 on a kill by Layshock. Tied at 24, Layshock delivered 2 kills off assists by Olson to give the Trojans the game to tie the match at 1-1.