1 more victory needed to reach state

By MAUREEN LYNCH – mlynch@nwherald.com

Harvard's Ashley Crosby (left) and Shannon Ditsch go up for a block against Richmond-Burton's Kimberly Russell during an October match in Harvard. (Travis Haughton – thaughton@nwherald.com)

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With one victory standing between three local volleyball teams and a berth in the IHSA state semifinals next weekend in Normal, Crystal Lake Central, Cary-Grove and Harvard are preparing to face their competition in supersectional matches today.

Here are aspects of the matches to follow for each team.

Class 2A Spring Valley Hall Supersectional
Harvard vs. Illinois Valley Central, 7 p.m.

The Hornets encountered little trouble during the Oregon Sectional this week in winning their first sectional crown since 2006, when Harvard earned its second consecutive Class A third-place finish.

Harvard (25-12) is gunning for its third appearance in the state semifinals in coach Kelly Brierley’s four-year tenure and will face a team that never has made an appearance in the state semifinals.

After the Hornets’ win Thursday against Savanna West Carroll for the sectional title, Brierley said that Harvard assistant coaches had gone to scout Illinois Valley Central’s sectional title match against Monmouth-Roseville on Thursday night in Chillicothe. However, the quick turnaround from Thursday’s match to tonight’s supersectional made it difficult to spend much time worrying about the Hornets’ competition.

“I can just tell you that we’re excited for the opportunity to play another day,” Brierley said. “Regardless of the opponent, we will be ready for whatever is thrown our way.”

The Grey Ghosts sustained a setback when senior middle hitter Erma O’Brien suffered an ankle injury during Thursday’s first set against Monmouth-Roseville.

Outside hitter Kelsey Brooke seems to have picked up any slack. The Register-Mail in Galesburg reported Brooke finishing with a team-best seven kills, eight digs and four aces. Marci Fletcher finished with 10 assists for the Grey Ghosts (30-5).

Harvard is led by senior outside hitter Ashleigh Fisher and senior libero Marcy Nystrom.

Class 3A Grayslake Central Supersectional
Crystal Lake Central vs. Nazareth Academy, 1 p.m.

The Tigers are trying to make their second appearance in the state semifinals in three years.
Central won the Class 3A state title in 2007 to finish a perfect 42-0 season.

This year, Central again is having an outstanding season. The Tigers are 35-3 and will face Nazareth Academy, which beat defending sectional champion Chicago Payton on Thursday to advance to today’s supersectional.

The Tigers and the Roadrunners have one common opponent – St. Viator. Central defeated the Lions on Thursday to advance to today’s supersectional; the Roadrunners lost to St. Viator in three sets in mid-September.

Central coach Doug Blundy and his team know how to handle high-stakes matches. Four members of the state title team remain on this year’s roster and, regardless of previous accomplishments, Blundy is adamant before every match that the Tigers underestimate no one.

One of his most quotable phrases, “Just don’t screw this up,” appears on the back of his players’ postseason T-shirts.

Senior middle hitter Lindsey Anderson, senior libero Julie Jeziorowski, sophomore middle hitter Amelia Anderson, junior outside hitter Tara Weber, junior setter Tracy Friel and senior right side hitter Caity DeCoster lead the Tigers.

Class 4A St. Charles East Supersectional
Cary-Grove vs. St. Charles East, 6 p.m.

The Trojans are enjoying their best season since 2001 – C-G’s last trip to a supersectional – and they are adamant that their goals are far from being met.

The Trojans want the program’s first berth in the state semifinals next weekend, and they have to go through perennial state power and reigning Class 4A state champion St. Charles East to get it.

The task seems a bit daunting on paper, but the Trojans, a close-knit bunch with undeniable talent, are set on not being intimidated.

The Trojans (35-4) beat the Saints (32-6) in early September during the Prairie Ridge Tournament, but C-G coach Patty Langanis does not want to use that win as a measuring stick for what her team should see tonight.

“Playing them once gives us confidence that we can play with them,” Langanis said. “But the other thing is, [East] knows what it takes to get to state. That’s the one intangible that you’re just not sure how it’s going to play out on the court.”

St. Charles East might limp into the supersectional a bit; star player Jacqui Seidel has been playing through an ankle injury, and Caroline Niski has played three points during the playoffs, also because of an ankle injury.

The Saints start freshman setter Erienne Barry and sophomore libero Maisey Mulvey, who was absent during the two teams’ first meeting. Other top players include sophomore outside hitter Meghan Niski and junior middle hitter Sam Szarmach.

C-G’s biggest weapons are their duo of setters, senior Abbey Heredia and junior Colleen Smith, and outside hitters Kelly Lamberti and Kayla Klinger. Middle blockers Colleen Hargrove and Ashley Rosch have contributed substantially, and Sam Mainzer has led the Trojans’ defense at libero.

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