Girls volleyball: Gerzel leads Grayslake North past Grayslake Central

Alyssa Gerzel had 9 kills and 4 aces, including three late in the second set, and Grayslake North defeated host Grayslake Central 23-18, 25-15 in a Northern Lake County Conference girls volleyball opener Thursday night.

Teagan Johnston's fourth kill of the night ended the match. Jessica Pozezinski added 7 digs, 2 aces and 3 kills for Grayslake North (8-6). Lindsey Deip and Abby Cunningham (8 digs) dished out 10 and 9 assists, respectively, and Emily Porter had 7 digs.

Gerzel, a junior outside hitter, has 81 kills on season and is hitting at an impressive 25-percent clip.

Grayslake Central (5-10) was led by Taylor Hindman's kills, Kate Bullman's 3 kills and Taylor Ford's 13 digs.

"Central fought hard during the whole match, which is something that we have been working on," GC coach Klaudia Basierak said. "It was a fun environment in the gym playing our crosstown rivalry. Both teams played well."

Carmel d. Stevenson: Fresh off their upset of Marist, the Corsairs knocked off another perennial power, beating the visiting Patriots 25-11, 22-25, 25-13 in nonconference action.

Annie Bart led Carmel (10-1) with 13 kills and 9 digs, Tayah Farris added 9 kills and 2 blocks, and Shannon Brennan collected 18 assists, 3 kills, 2 aces and 3 digs. The Corsairs also received contributions from Riley Clark (8 kills, 3 blocks, 2 digs), Ally DiBartolo (6 digs), Molly Halverson (12 assists), Mya Mainzer (2 kills), Milana Moisio (18 digs) and Eileen Tarcha (7 kills, 8 digs).

"It's never easy playing Stevenson," Carmel coach David Pazely said. "They always have height and talent. Carmel has a target on their back after what we've accomplished so early in the season. Sustaining that level of play and living up to those expectations will not be easy, but the girls have been handling it well so far. We learned tonight what can happen if we don't stay sharp from start to finish. Hopefully that motivates them to continue to pushing and not peaking too soon."

Stevenson fell to 4-4, despite Amanda Holsen's 16 kills. Grace Tully tallied 24 assists, 9 digs, 2 kills and 2 aces. The Patriots' other contributors included Lily Cozzi (6 kills), Abby Keevins (2 aces), Aimee Staemmer (2 aces, 2 solo blocks), Emma Potocki (3 kills, 2 solo blocks) and Emerson Kouri (9 digs).

Warren d. Highland Park: Elizabeth Weinberg and Samantha Aaron each had 4 kills for the visiting Blue Devils, who won the nonconference match 25-16, 25-19.

Kendal Crawford added 3 kills for Warren (9-7), GabriElle Brewer served 4 aces, and Ellie Columbus notched 12 digs.

Wauconda d. Grant: Host Wauconda rallied for a 22-25, 25-12, 25-14 win in the Northern Lake County Conference opener, receiving 7 kills apiece from Delany Lemay, Emily Johnson and Nicole Callahan.

Callahan also had 7 digs and 2 blocks, while Riley Aldrich and Savannah Johnson lofted 12 assists each for Wauconda (8-8). Savannah Green contributed 8 digs.