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Athlete of the Week

Alyssa Ehrhardt

Jacobs, jr.

Ehrhardt, an outside hitter, was an offensive powerhouse in the Golden Eagles’ big match against Huntley on Tuesday. She tallied a game-high 22 kills in Jacobs’ three-set upset win, adding eight digs and an ace. Ehrhardt also posted 65 total kills in five matches at the Huntley Invitational over the weekend.

Noteworthy

Defense fuels Jacobs’ upset: Facing a Huntley offensive attack boasting multiple options, the Eagles needed an outstanding defensive effort.

Jacobs answered the call, tallying 60 digs in their 22-25, 25-22, 25-11 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win Tuesday. Six players had at least three digs, led by Rebecca Jobst’s 19. Jacobs coach Lisa Dwyer also credited Maris Smith (13 digs) and Kassie Kasper (nine) for their steady defense.

Jacobs’ defense, combined with winning the all-important momentum points, proved to be the difference, Dwyer said.

“They had huge heart and desire and really wanted to win,” Dwyer said. “The girls turned it up. They fought for every point.”

Dwyer and the Eagles (22-10, 6-3 FVC Valley) relished playing spoiler against Huntley (23-5, 8-2) and potentially ending their title hopes. Dwyer said she believes this is the first time Jacobs has beaten Huntley during her seven years as varsity coach, or at least since her first season in 2004.

“It’s kind of fun because the girls just want to make a name for themselves,” Dwyer said. “We didn’t know what this year was going to bring us.”

Jacobs has an outside shot to share the Valley title but will need help. The Eagles stand two losses behind division-leading Cary-Grove with three games left (at Prairie Ridge, versus Crystal Lake South and at Dundee-Crown).

Gilleland sets school mark: Marian Central setter Abby Gilleland etched her name in the school’s volleyball record book.

After Marian Central’s win against Aurora Central Catholic on Wednesday, Gilleland has 2,019 career assists. She dished 106 during the Hurricanes’ five games at last weekend’s Huntley Invitational and 23 in Wednesday’s win. The previous record was 1,800. The senior credited her current and former teammates for helping her reach the mark, and already has set her sights on cracking the state’s Top 20 all-time assists leaders. Gilleland needs 195 assists to join the elite company.

“It means a lot actually,” Gilleland said. “It’s just something that my name will always be recognized for until someone else beats it.”

This week’s

top matches

Huntley at Cary-Grove,
6:30 p.m. today

This match is a must-win for the Red Raiders, who beat the Trojans on Sept. 20 in three sets. A C-G victory puts the Trojans in prime position to capture their fourth Valley title in a row, and their third consecutive outright title.

Jacobs at Prairie Ridge,
6:30 p.m. today

In a battle for third place in the Valley, Jacobs looks to avoid a letdown after their upset win while the Wolves try to build off three straight conference victories. Jacobs won, 2-0, in the teams’ previous meeting.

Crystal Lake Central

at Johnsburg,
6:30 p.m. Tuesday

The Tigers can lock up at least a share of the FVC Fox Division title with a win against the Skyhawks. A Johnsburg victory brings them within one game of first-place Central.

– Meghan Montemurro
mmontemurro@shawmedia.com