Volleyball
Huntley’s setter became known for having a namesake in the NFL, although Elizabeth Manning also earned a reputation with her ability on the volleyball court.
The bygone year saw a lot of “firsts” in McHenry County athletics. There were first state champions for schools around the area, record-setting performances, and some athletes who proved they were not only the best in the area, but best in the entire state.
PALOS HILLS – With the immense volleyball talent in the state, the top players often share the same court.
The best season in Marian Central girls volleyball history nearly didn’t happen.
There wasn’t just one moment that caused the light bulb to flicker on for Marian Central senior setter Abby Gilleland.
The Cary-Grove girls volleyball team’s journey, one that ended with its second consecutive IHSA Class 4A runner-up finish, started with a Latin phrase: Mens mentis.
WOODSTOCK – Carrying the second-place trophy around the gym, the Marian Central volleyball team came together one last time to celebrate their program’s historic season.
NORMAL – As hard as they tried, the Marian Central’s volleyball players couldn’t hold back the tears.
NORMAL – As the Cary-Grove volleyball team celebrated with its fans handing off the Class 4A runner-up trophy to the student section, the Trojans knew how close they came to winning another state title.
NORMAL – In 17 seasons as Cary-Grove’s girls volleyball coach, Patty Langanis couldn’t recall having witnessed such a high-scoring game.
NORMAL – Already down a game to Marian Catholic in the Class 3A state semifinals, the Marian Central Hurricanes could have folded under the pressure.
Had someone told Marian Central outside hitter Tara Blake before the season that she’d lead the Hurricanes in kills this year, the junior might have been skeptical, considering the talent that returned.
Months ago, when a return to state was still just a wishful goal for the Cary-Grove volleyball team, coach Patty Langanis sat down her two top returnees, seniors Ashley Rosch and Melanie Jereb.
Marian Central volleyball coach Laura Watling took specific steps entering this season to ensure her team, branded with a bull’s-eye by opponents, stayed focused.
It was easy to label the Cary-Grove volleyball team a non-contender for the 2011 IHSA Class 4A state title.
LAKE ZURICH – The frustration kept rising for the Cary-Grove girls volleyball team.
WOODSTOCK – Sometimes confidence is born from doubt, and Saturday night Marian Central’s volleyball team showed what can happen when just a little belief takes hold.
At this point in the season, the Cary-Grove girls volleyball team doesn’t need inspirational speeches from coach Patty Langanis.
GENOA – It wasn’t the game plan. It wasn’t an adjustment. It was just Tara Blake’s time.
CRYSTAL LAKE – Everybody knew where Cary-Grove setter Jess Bart-czyszyn was sending the volleyball with the Class 4A Prairie Ridge Sectional title on the line against rival Huntley.
GENOA – The agony didn’t stay on Emma Hussey’s face for very long.
CRYSTAL LAKE – Huntley senior Sam Boesch sat on the bench with tears in her eyes and an ice bag on her left shoulder before the Red Raiders’ match against Hononegah had even started.
GENOA – There were times when the Tigers simply refused to give in.
CRYSTAL LAKE – Cary-Grove’s volleyball team has that look again.
Marian Central and Crystal Lake Central would not know what to do if they were not playing volleyball this week.
CARPENTERSVILLE – Huntley’s girls volleyball team, in a 16-point hole during a dreadful second set against Barrington on Thursday, finally earned sideout and Ashley Smith rotated into the Red Raiders’ lineup.
FOX LAKE – It was fitting that middle blocker Ashley Rosch was left holding the plaque after Cary-Grove’s girls volleyball team clinched its third consecutive regional title Thursday.
MARENGO – She routinely posts the kind of numbers most girls who play her position only dream about.
Athlete of the Week
MARENGO – Richmond-Burton’s girls volleyball team had seen this ultra-competitive side of Marengo.
SYCAMORE – Lisa Reddish spent the past few weeks talking to her Crystal Lake Central volleyball team about starting fast, but even the start to Tuesday’s first game against Hampshire went beyond her hopes.
NORTHWEST HERALD
FOX LAKE – The Prairie Ridge volleyball team nearly learned the hard way Tuesday that underestimating a Fox Valley Conference foe can end your season early.
NORTHWEST HERALD
MARENGO – Woodstock right side hitter Emily Palmer had more to celebrate Monday night than just her 17th birthday.
ROCKFORD – Jacobs’ Will Hennessy took second and led the Golden Eagles’ boys cross country team to the title with 47 points Saturday at the IHSA Class 3A Guilford Regional.
McHENRY – Marisa Barton led Crystal Lake Central to a 105-65 Fox Valley Conference swimming victory against McHenry on Thursday with first-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (24.85) and 100 freestyle (55.54).
CARY – Cary-Grove’s girls volleyball players stood shocked on their home court.
The prospect of playing college volleyball on the East Coast appealed to Prairie Ridge senior Taylor Onoyan.
GRAYSLAKE – Marian Central’s boys soccer team upset Grayslake North, 2-0, in an IHSA Class 2A Grayslake Central Regional semifinal Wednesday.
Athlete of the Week
POPLAR GROVE – The Richmond-Burton volleyball team clinched a share of the Big Northern Conference East Division crown Tuesday with a 25-12, 25-21 win against North Boone.
JOHNSBURG – The match was headed into a third set by the time Amelia Anderson wound up for a kill toward the end of Game 2 in Crystal Lake Central’s volleyball match Tuesday against Johnsburg.
CRYSTAL LAKE – Marian Central setter Abby Gilleland has heard it before on the volleyball court: Stay focused.
BYRON – Marengo’s girls repeated as team champions, while Richmond-Burton’s boys grabbed their third title in four years at the Big Northern Conference Cross Country Meet on Saturday at Byron Forest Preserve.
CARY – For Cary-Grove’s volleyball team to even the season series against Huntley on Thursday night, the offense had to be sharp, the passes pinpoint and the execution crisp.
Athlete of the Week
GRAYSLAKE – The new kids proved they belong.
RICHMOND – It didn’t matter where Richmond-Burton middle hitter Kim Russell stood on the volleyball court against Marengo or what situation the Rockets faced.
