Madi Wilcox conducts Mundelein rally

THE SCORE: Mundelein d. Barrington 10-25, 25-17, 25-22

THE SKINNY: The game had the look and feel of the state finals despite it only being the third game for the victorious Mustangs. The crowd was bold and loud – and so was Mundelein’s stunning comeback from a 25-10 thumping in the opening set. Senior setter Madi Wilcox led the revival with her crisp passing (18 assists) and veteran leadership.

TURNING POINT: Though the story of the game was Mundelein rallying from a disastrous first set, the team was actually down late as well. Trailing 20-18 in set three, Wilcox served up several big points as Barrington wilted under the startling raucous student section – dressed in Hawaiian shirts and hula skirts – and looked like it desperately needed a vacation as the Mustangs surged ahead and never looked back.

THE STAR: Even in a losing effort, Barrington senior outside hitter Christy Roney looked a league above everyone on the court. The 5-foot-10 powerhouse delivered for the Broncos all game and had the Mundelein players wincing every time she took flight and cocked her arm. In the blowout first set, Roney served on eight straight points and catapulted Barrington up 13-4.

BY THE NUMBERS: Things looked bleak after Mundelein’s slow start, but somehow the Mustangs shook off the cob webs and stormed back. The team didn’t trail in the game again until Barrington took a 10-9 lead midway through the third set. Junior outside hitter Yasmeen Johnson was on the receiving end of a bundle of Wilcox sets and finished with 9 kills (22-26).

QUOTABLE: “All I can say is that all of my teammates, we pushed through,” Wilcox said. “Our fans were incredible; I honestly can’t thank them enough. We just believed in ourselves the entire time.”