Manteno and Wilmington Volleyball Teams Advance to 2A Final

Manteno and Wilmington will face each other in the IHSA Class 2A regional final on Thursday. The two teams advanced to the championship match on Tuesday after winning their respective semifinal games at Southland Prep and other venues.

Manteno defeated host Southland Prep in straight sets, winning 25-9 and 25-10. Makenna Laskowski recorded eight kills, two aces, and two digs for the Panthers. Maddy Belisle contributed seven kills, two aces, and four digs, while Leah Donnelly led the team with 13 assists, one ace, and three digs.

Wilmington beat Peotone 25-19 and 25-18 to secure their spot in the final. The Wildcats will face the Panthers in the upcoming championship match.

In the Class 2A El Paso-Gridley Regional, Eureka defeated Bishop McNamara 25-10 and 25-12. The loss ended the Fightin’ Irish season with a 14-10 record. That result marks an improvement over their 10-14 finish in the previous year, according to head coach Annie Mitchell, who is in her first season at the school.

Other regional results included Watseka defeating Woodland 25-14 and 25-21 in the Class 1A Iroquois West Regional. Avery Pufahl served four aces and added four digs and five kills for Watseka. Liana Navas recorded 15 assists as the team prepared to face Clifton Central on Thursday.

Clifton Central also advanced in that regional by beating Grace Christian Academy 25-10 and 25-10. Gemma Sifrit had five kills, nine assists, and four aces for the winners. In the Class 1A Milford Regional, Flannagan-Cornell defeated St. Anne 25-23, 22-25, and 25-21. Tatum Kirkland recorded nine kills and 12 digs for St. Anne in the three-set loss.