Panthers Win First Regional Title Since 2016

Gardner-South Wilmington girls volleyball players celebrated a championship Tuesday night.

The third-seeded Panthers defeated the second-seeded Aurora Christian Eagles 25-22, 25-19 at the Class 1A Gardner-South Wilmington Regional. The victory marks the program's first regional title since 2016.

The win gives the Panthers a 21-16 record for the season. They will face top-seeded Schaumburg Christian in the Aurora Christian Sectional semifinals on Tuesday.

Other Cook County teams advanced to their respective sectional tournaments on the same day. Lincoln-Way Central defeated host Lincoln-Way West 22-25, 25-13, 25-11 at the Class 4A regional in New Lenox. Megan Hoy recorded 10 kills and 15 digs for the Knights. Mya Donnelly added five kills and Ella Thompson added four. Lincoln-Way Central now holds a 24-13 record. They will host Porters in the Lockport Sectional semifinals on Tuesday night.

Minooka beat Moline 25-21, 25-22 at the Class 4A Moline Regional. Courtney Walter led the Indians with eight kills, while Charlotte Matejka finished with six kills and three aces. Minooka, now 24-13, will face top-seeded Joliet West in the Champaign Central Sectional semifinals on Tuesday night.

Lockport defeated Plainfield North 25-23, 25-25 at the Class 4A Plainfield Central Regional. Hutsyn Timosciek tallied 10 kills and Kayla Mitchell recorded eight. The top-seeded Porters improved to 32-5. They will host Lincoln-Way Central in the Lockport Sectional semifinals on Tuesday night.

Lincoln-Way East beat Andrew 25-12, 25-21 at the Class 4A Sandburg Regional in Orland Park. The No. 2-seeded Griffins won their fourth regional title in a row and their fifth in the past six seasons. They now hold a 29-8 record. Lincoln-Way East will face Bolingbrook in the Lockport Sectional semifinals on Tuesday night.