The Hononegah Lady Indians came out slow against Dundee-Crown and admitted that they thought they could cake walk to the sectional finals. Once they cleaned up their serve and serve-receive game they were able to come back and win the first two games to take the match. Hopefully this game serves as a lesson that they need to show up with their best effort in the playoffs if they want to win. It's time to show up or go home so they'll need to give all they can to get a win on Thursday.
The team that the Hononegah Lady Indians beat was Dundee-Crown. Going into the playoffs D.C. was 5-30. Leaving the playoffs they are 8-31 with a regional title! This team of upper class girls stepped up their game in the playoffs to make a remarkable run. It was the first time they were in the sectional since 1996. A very impressive accomplishment for a team that struggled through a tough regular season schedule. This team got some great experience and the success they had in the playoffs has to serve as motivation for the players that will be returning to the team next year. They lost the first game by 4 points and the second game by 5 points. They clearly weren't just happy being there, they expected to win. That attitude and mental attitude will serve them well in the future. Best of luck to Dundee-Crown as they have a lot of potential for next year!
In the nightcap was the number 1 team in the nation in Cary-Grove High School. They took on the DeKalb Barbs. Going into this game it had been reported that Courtney Thomas of DeKalb had called Cary-Grove out by saying they hadn't played real competition and that their winning streak was unimpressive. Let it be known that Courtney Thomas is a nationally ranked setter, but those comments, whether serious or not, really hurt the Barbs. While they talked the talk, and their students came out to support them, they couldn't back it up. They got embarrassed in a way. That way was poor sportsmanship by the DeKalb student section. One fan in particular (who was in the front row... yes we know who you are) shined a laser pointer in the eye of a Cary-Grove player as she was attempting to serve. That is never acceptable and by high school you should know better. On the court the DeKalb Barbs put forth a great effort, but couldn't do enough to stay in either games. In the first game the problem was the serve-receive game. Colleen Smith, now nicknamed the Serve Doctor, carved up the DeKalb return game. DeKalb made adjustments in game 2, but then had trouble passing the ball and setting up their offense. When the Barbs were able to set up their offense they got some great directional hits to pick apart the Trojan defense. The problem was they weren't consistently giving Courtney Thomas a chance to set up their big offensive threats. Meanwhile Kelly Lamberti had a big night on offense. She was able to be just as effective from the back row as she was in the front row. Ashley Rosch and Allison Whimpey also had an impressive evening. The bottom line was that Cary-Grove proved to be way too much for DeKalb to handle. It is the first time in any game this postseason that we have seen one team truly dominate the entire match.
With all of that said, both student bodies did support their teams like we hadn't seen before. Besides that one display of poor sportsmanship, it was great to see DeKalb students painted in their school colors and decked out to support their team! They were loud the entire game and did all they could to try and lift the play of the team. On the other side the Trojan cheering section was unbelievable. They were dressed up in western attire and two students had toy horses that they pretended to ride. Someone should have told them Halloween ended on Sunday, but the costumes were classic and should be worn every chance they get. We awarded a fan of the game to the man leading the Cary-Grove student section in cheers and dances. It was the kind of support you dream about, but to see it at a sectional game has me excited to see what's in store once we get downstate. To all the teams that get downstate this year, we hope to see student sections going all out in support of their teams. If we see support and enthusiasm like we saw tonight, we'll be awarded a superfan of the game. That includes that chance to be interviewed LIVE on SportsTownChicago.com as well as get a free t-shirt.
Back to DeKalb, they are a young team that should be proud of a regional championship. And while Cary-Grove demonstrated why they are #1 in the nation, the Barbs should know that if they clean up their serve and serve receive game for next year, there is no reason they can't be back in this position next year and winning a game like this. They have a lot of potential and with a good offseason can easily have high goals next year. Best of luck to the Barbs of DeKalb moving forward!
That means that Hononegah will face off against Cary-Grove on Thursday Night! While we won't be there, we will be out at Romeoville for that Sectional Final!!! As always it will be broadcasted LIVE online on SportsTownChicago.com and then be available as a free downloadable podcast on SportsTownChicago.com. Again a special thanks to Maureen Lynch of the Northwest Herald for coming onto the broadcast for a few moments between games tonight!
Tomorrow we're off to College as we do a game for the Moraine Valley Cyclones!
To find out the latest SportsTownChicago.com information about IHSA girls volleyball be sure to check back here or go to SportsTownChicago.com for up the minute updates!!
We're Now Down To The Sweet 16!
Alex LoCicero (A-Lo)
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