Three things to know
1. There were some questions about a Crystal Lake Central team that graduated 10 seniors from last year’s 32-5 regional finalist. No more. The Tigers are 15-0 after winning the Prairie Ridge tournament Saturday. “We set our expectations and team goals at the start of the season to work hard in our practices and transfer those skills to each match we play,” coach Lisa Brunstrum said. Senior outside hitter Mackenzie Allen (40 kills, 38 digs) and setter Susie Jeziorowski (85 assists) led the Tigers at Prairie Ridge.
2. Another team making a lot of noise is Chicago Christian, which improved to 18-2 after winning the Leyden invite Saturday. The Knights, who were Class 3A supersectional qualifiers in 2013, are led by the Kamp cousins, 6-foot-1 Anna and 6-foot Leah, who have combined for 284 kills and 49 blocks this season. “They are quite the dynamic duo in the front row,” said first-year coach Chrissy Gust. Samantha Kubik sets the Knights, who have beaten De La Salle and T.F. South.
3. St. Francis’ Molly Haggerty was named the tournament MVP after the Spartans defeated Glenbard West 25-18, 25-13 to win the 24-team BSN Crossroads Classic hosted by Effingham on Saturday. Also named to the all-tournament team were Dani Messa and Mary Boken of St. Francis and Natalie Schilling and Alison Burelbach of Glenbard West.