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Schools

Powerful Cary-Grove Goes to Three Sets to Stop Stevenson

Stevenson's promising 31-win volleyball season closed at the Lake Zurich Supersectional.

After finishing the final match of the volleyball season on Saturday night, coach Tim Crow could reflect back when senior middle blocker Michelle Schroeder was a freshman.

"She was on the freshman B team," Crow said. "To a starter as a junior. She became a pretty darn good blocker."

Stevenson's opponent in the Lake Zurich Supersectional was Fox Valley powerhouse . The Patriots (31-8) had already dropped two matches this season to this club. And after the first set one wondered if this match would take less than a half hour.

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Cary-Grove blew off the doors in set one to the tune of 25-10. It clearly looked like the Patriots didn't have a chance.

This match would go the distance. Favored Cary (36-4) will head Downstate to the IHSA state playoff with a 25-10, 22-25, 25-16.

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"I think we were feeling a little embarrased after that first game," Crow said. "But it's a big difference between their best and our worst."

As in the sectional title win over Lake Forest, Stevenson came off the floor in set two and evened things up forcing a third set.

"Stevenson did an incredible job changing things up," said Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis. "We had come out strong with our power game."

The Pats clearly had trouble containing the Trojans' power hitters Ashley Rosch and Melanie Jereb.

"Their two outside hitters are ridiculous," Crow said. "Cary is a solid team. They play amazing defense."

Cary will head for Normal for the IHSA Final Four next weekend with a 9 p.m. date with Marist on Friday night.

Stevenson will head home reflecting on a season in which most folks felt the Pats would finish behind Lake Zurich and Lake Forest.

Instead the Pats represented the NSC in the supersectional. And both talented outside hitters Rachel Baader (11 kills on Saturday night) and Liza Pflugradt (7 kills) are expected back next year. The conference's  best blocking team should also get help from Kara Maleski (6-foot-4), Julia Osmund (6-2) and Jenna Radtke (6-1).

Cary-Grove just seems to reload. Both Rosch and Jereb have played in their final supersectional. But the Trojans should bring back the likes of setter Jess Bartczyszyn, Mallory Wilczynski, Sam Katchen, Micah Duzey, Abby Schebel, Kayli Trausch, Alex Larsen and Megan Seymour.

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