South and Sycamore advance to sectional championship

Crystal Lake South volleyball players erased a three-point deficit in the second set to defeat Kaneland 25-17, 25-22 on Tuesday evening. The victory secured the second-seeded Gators a spot in the Class 3A Crystal Lake South Sectional final. Sycamore also advanced after defeating top-seeded Lakes 25-21, 27-25 in the other semifinal at the Crystal Lake gymnasium.

Senior outside hitter Logan Georgy recorded a team-high eight kills and two blocks for South. The Gators, who finished their regular season with a 25-11 record, faced the fourth-seeded Knights in the semifinal. Georgy noted that the team focused on maintaining energy during difficult moments. She stated that the players worked all season to keep their connection strong when an individual was down.

Sycamore faced a late scare in the second set against the top-seeded Lakers. The Spartans led 24-21 before a disputed call on a Maddie Patton attack threatened to give the point to Lakes. The up referee initially awarded the point to Sycamore, assuming a touch by Lakes. The call was overturned after officials ruled no one touched the ball. Lakes tied the score at 24 and again at 25, but senior outside hitter Khiara Thomas finished the match with a kill and an ace.

Thomas led the Spartan offense with nine kills. Patton contributed six kills and two aces, while Sophie Litchardt added five kills and two aces. Ava Argo recorded five kills, and Isabella Culotta provided two blocks and two aces. All five players are seniors. Thomas described the team’s approach as a mix of fighting and working through the postseason run. She noted that the offense has been clicking during this stretch.

Coach Jorie Fontana praised the Gators’ mental resilience after they trailed 16-13 in the second set. She observed that the players handled the pressure well by returning to their fundamental passing, setting, and hitting routines. Sophomore Makayla Westermann, one of six underclassmen on the roster, said the team relied on loud encouragement to stay motivated after mistakes. She emphasized that being loud and encouraging teammates was a major factor in the win.

The sectional championship match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in Crystal Lake. South has not won a sectional title since 2014. Sycamore’s last championship came in 2009. The Spartans coach, Jennifer Charles, called the run a dream come true for the nine seniors on the team. She said the group stayed calm and focused on playing their own style of volleyball despite the pressure.

Kaneland coach Cynthia Violett expressed pride in her squad’s effort, despite the loss. The Knights captured the regional championship the previous week by defeating top-seeded Sterling. Violett said the experience of winning a regional title and then losing a sectional match will help the team grow. She emphasized that playing tough opponents all season prepared the players for the intensity of the postseason. Setter Frankie Rio, the team’s only senior, said the group proved that team goals mattered more than individual performance.