Girls volleyball: Carmel nets Ram Slam championship
Carmel Catholic's girls volleyball team continued its strong start to the season Saturday, capturing Grayslake Central's Ram Slam by winning all five of its matches.
The Corsairs (8-1) defeated Grayslake North, Riverside-Brookfield and Wisconsin Lutheran in pool play. They then topped Regina Dominican in the semifinals and Wisconsin Lutheran again in the final. Carmel didn't drop a set on the day.
Wauconda finished third, going 4-1 to improve to 7-7, as Nicole Callahan tallied 28 kills and 46 digs. The Bulldogs' other contributors included Delany Lemay (23 kills, 21 digs), Emily Johnson (22 kills, 21 digs), Tara Bierdt (21 kills), Riley Aldrich (61 assists, 14 kills, 6 blocks), Savannah Johnson (36 assists, 19 digs) and Savannah Green (29 digs). The Bulldogs knocked off Grayslake Central, Regina Dominican (twice) and Richmond-Burton. Their only loss was to Wisconsin Lutheran.
Grayslake North went 3-2 to finish fifth. Besides Carmel, the Knights (7-6) also lost to Wisconsin Lutheran. They picked up wins over Riverside-Brookfield, Richmond-Burton and Grayslake Central, all in two sets. Grayslake North's statistical leaders included Lindsey Diep (41 assists), Abby Cunningham (37 assists), Jessica Pozezinski (30 digs), Alyssa Grezel (25 kills) and Lexie Baker (32 digs).
West Aurora invite: Vernon Hills finished second in its bracket and placed sixth overall.
The Cougars Hills defeated Genoa Kingston and South Elgin and lost to Aurora West and St. Ignatius. Vernon Hills (6-5) was paced by Abby Wisniewski (152-of-53 setting, 44 assists), Marta Glyvka (19 kills) and Elli Amjafi (23 digs).
New Trier invite: Lakes finished second in its pool and settled for eighth place.
The Eagles notched wins over Argo and Highland Park on Friday night, while losing to New Trier. Lakes (8-6) then suffered Saturday losses to Hersey and Glenbrook North.
Warren (7-7) went 3-2, beating Niles North, Argo and Niles West. The Blue Devils dropped matches to Glenbrook North (three sets) and Oak Park.
Elizabeth Weinberg notched 25 kills and 19 digs for Warren. The Blue Devils' other contributors included Kendal Crawford (20 kills), Kayleigh Glickley (9 aces, 27 assists, 26 digs), Ellie Columbus (41 digs, 5 aces), Samantha Aaron (30 assists, 10 kills), Faith Powell (15 kills), Sarah Barbosa (24 digs), Janelle Reams (7 blocks), Kayla Gibson (6 blocks) and GabriElle Brewer (7 aces, 30 digs).