Girls Volleyball: Stagg piling up the wins
By Tony Baranek tbaranek@southtownstar.com September 17, 2012 6:50PM
Updated: October 25, 2012 3:40PM
The numbers were pretty stunning.
Jill Conrad with 63 assists and 40 kills. Morgan Thomas with 56 digs. Lexi Mantas with 47 kills.
The most important number was five — victories — as Stagg improved to 13-2 overall Saturday by capturing the Maine East Invitational.
“It was an unreal feeling to be honest,” Stagg coach Deanna Storino said. “In the past four years I have been with the varsity, winning a tournament hasn’t happened. I’m still on Cloud Nine.”
Stagg beat South Elgin, Maine South, Niles West and Trinity in straight sets before meeting Maine South in a rematch in the championship match. That one went three, with the Chargers prevailing 25-20, 22-25, 25-22.
The weekend success capped a big week for the Chargers, which began with a 25-14, 25-19 victory over Sandburg. Heroes have been many, but Conrad’s contributions both offensively and defensively have her standing tall among area leaders. She entered the week with 101 kills and 155 assists.
“Jill is a phenomenal volleyball player,” Storino said of the four-year varsity player. “I have told her many times I enjoy watching her set; her touch on the ball is soft and sweet. And she’s very intelligent. That’s apparent in her running of the offense.”
These kids can play
When a junior varsity team is entered in a varsity tournament, it usually means a school unexpectedly dropped out, leaving an odd amount of teams.
Mother McAuley’s JV, however, plays the McAuley Preview intending to win — which the Mighty Macs did in 2007.
Saturday, when the younger Mighty Macs took Marian Catholic to the limit before losing 25-23, 27-25, it didn’t surprise Spartans senior Amber Clay.
“Last year in this tournament and we lost, so I know how good McAuley is,” said Clay, who later had 23 kills to help Marian beat Lyons to capture the Silver Division crown. “I know half of their JV team. I’ve played with some of them (at club), so I didn’t underestimate them at all.”
Still ...
“It hurts your pride to lose to kids younger than you,” Clay said, laughing. “But you get past it.”
