Lakes’ season is a smash hit
Updated: October 27, 2011 9:40PM
The hits — and the wins — just keep on comin’ for Lakes’ girls volleyball team.
Thursday, the Eagles fought off host Wauconda 25-22, 18-25, 25-18 in the finals of a Class 3A regional tournament.
The win vaults the Eagles (26-11) into Tuesday’s sectional semifinals at Ridgewood against Johnsburg.
This was the first regional title in the sport for the Eagles who, earlier this month, won their first North Suburban Prairie title.
“Our thing coming into this year was we wanted to make history, and we’re doing that one step at a time,” said Lakes coach Molly May.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match. We knew it was probably going to go to three games. It came down to us ending up with fewer errors in the third game.”
The third game belonged to the Eagles. They got four points right out of the blocks on a Wauconda service error and three points from server Emily Aigner.
From 4-0, the game advance to 5-3, 7-4, 11-6, 14-9, 16-11, 17-14, 20-15, 21-17, and 22-18.
A tip for point by Meghan Merges made it 23-18, Shannon Grant’s service ace made it 24-18, and Alex Silvola hit home the point that made the Eagles a winner.
Game 1 was all Lakes as it grabbed a 15-4 lead.
In Game 2, Wauconda (23-13) stepped up and took control.
“One thing I really admire about the girls is their poise,” said May. “They really held it together.
“Even going back to when we won the division, they handled it well. They didn’t over-react. They’ve done a great job with that all year.
“They may be nervous, but they’ve done a good job hiding it.”
Even though Lakes won its division, it was seeded lower than division rivals Vernon Hills and Wauconda in the sectional — two teams Lakes actually beat in league play.
“Lake County volleyball just keeps improving,” said Wauconda coach Bob Paterka. “I’m really proud of the NSC Prairie Division.”
Vernon Hills from the division also won a regional on Thursday.
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