Communication is key in any relationship, but for Lincoln-Way North’s girls volleyball program, reliable dialogue made the difference between a good team and the best team in program history.
“We’re not the tallest team, and we’re not the best blockers, but what’s done it for us is good communication,” North coach Mary Brown said.
There was nothing lost in translation for the Phoenix on Thursday night in a Class 4A sectional final against visiting Minooka. Allyson Cappel had 10 kills and Sam Ritter had 20 assists as North downed Minooka 25-19, 25-16 to win the program’s first-ever sectional title.
“I remember as a sophomore playing in a regional championship, and winning was the best feeling ever,” said Cappel, a Ferris State recruit. “This is even better. I’m so happy right now.”
Lincoln-Way North (35-3) advances to face Normal at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Normal West Supersectional. The winner of that match moves on to a Class 4A state semifinal.
Erin Dilger and Hannah Lesiak had six kills apiece for North, and UIC recruit Grace Murphy helped clean up the back row against Minooka’s big hitters with six digs.
Minooka (28-11) received seven kills from Ginger Perinar, a Southern Illinois recruit, and four kills from Florida International-bound Emily Hise.
North trailed 8-6 in the first game but rallied behind Cappel, Lesiak and Ali Geary to close out on a 9-3 run. That trio combined for eight of North’s last nine points in the first game.
“Once the outsides made an appearance and started doing really well, it opened up the slide, and I was able to dump more,” Ritter said. “Everyone knows our outsides are our strong suit, so I was happy they were open.”
It was the last home match for the Phoenix, as the school district is closing North’s doors at the end of the year due to financial problems.
“I didn’t even realize it was our last home game until it was five minutes before,” Ritter said. “We had to make this our best game yet, and we definitely did that.”
Dilger took the Phoenix home in the second set. The 6-foot middle hitter scored two early kills, later adding a kill and a block to give the Phoenix a 15-7 advantage. Minooka never got closer than four after that.
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“It takes years to build a program, but I’ve been blessed with a great feeder (program) and a great work ethic form the girls,” said Brown, who’s coached North to a 170-83 mark since its inception in 2008. “It’s really gratifying, but it’s really sad knowing this is our last game here.”
Joliet Catholic 25-27, Morris 23-25: Taylor Zurliene had five kills, nine digs and three block kills, Megan Cladis had 6 kills and Meghan Harrison had 17 digs as JCA (24-12) won the Class 3A Lincoln-Way West Sectional. It is the Angels’ ninth sectional title in 13 years.
Men’s basketball
Joliet 77, Daley 49: Robbie Brooks (20 points) and Daymeann Stewart (13 points, 5 assists) led Joliet (2-0).
Women’s volleyball
Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 25-25-25, St. Xavier 17-19-22: Courtney Joyce (28 assists, 10 digs) and Sydney McPhillips (12 kills) paced St. Xavier (21-12, 14-5 CCAC North) in its regular-season finale.
Awards
CoSIDA honors seven locals: St. Francis football players Breion Tucker, Jean Pietrzak and Josh Woodward were among seven area athletes to earn Academic All-District designation by the College Sports Information Directors of America. St. Xavier football players Michael Mettille and Abdul Mahdi also were recognized, along with volleyball players Leah Alles of St. Francis and Nicole Yuede of Lewis.
Lewis’ Moran earns league honor: Lewis soccer player Maggie Moran was chosen for the All-GLVC First Team by the league’s coaches. The forward totaled six goals and seven assists this season.
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Freelance reporter Josh Krockey contributed.