High school girls volleyball: Prairie Ridge edges Crystal Lake Central

CRYSTAL LAKE – Prairie Ridge tightened its grip on the Fox Valley Conference lead with its thrilling 25-18, 19-25, 25-22 girls volleyball win over Crystal Lake Central on Thursday.

Had they lost, the Wolves (17-2, 11-0 FVC) would have been tied in the loss column with the Tigers (18-3, 8-2). Instead, they own a two-match lead in the loss column over Central and Huntley with five conference matches left.

All six other FVC teams have five conference losses or more, which means Prairie Ridge is the only team that still controls its own destiny.

"Anything can happen, and we can't take anyone for granted, but this was huge because it gives us some real breathing room," Prairie Ridge senior Maddie McGuire said. "Even if we lose our upcoming rematch against Huntley (Oct. 11), we swept the season series against Central, and already beat Huntley once."

That means the Wolves would require a huge collapse the rest of the way for anyone else to take the FVC crown.

"Our players may talk about winning conference, but it's not something I've brought up much with them," Prairie Ridge coach Stefanie Otto said. "I'm just focused on winning every match, and doing the things we need to do to keep improving."

Prairie Ridge was in control early and trailed for only three of 43 combined points during the first set. But the Tigers roared back and turned the tables in the second set, when they led for all but four of 44 points.

Central ran with that momentum and stormed to a 5-1 lead to start the third set. That ballooned to an 8-3 advantage, before the Wolves reeled off a 10-4 run. It gave Prairie Ridge the lead for good.

Olivia Jost (8 kills, 8 digs, 2 aces), Jayden Otto (17 assists, 11 digs), Sammi Lockwood (5 locks), Trinity Sheridan (4 kills) and Alexis Kantner (2 aces) all contributed for the Wolves.

"In a match as big as this, it's real easy to get your adrenaline going," Jost said. "It can be tough to control your emotions with so much going on, and schoolwork, but honestly, I had no issues. I slept well the night before this one."

Central got big contributions from several players. Olivia Anderson had six of her eight kills and three of her eight blocks during a dominant second set. Madde Blake (14 digs, 10 kills), Camryn Hausler (13 assists, 6 blocks) and Grace Levin (15 assists) made things tough on the Wolves, but it wasn't enough.

"Prairie Ridge is a real talented team that just had too many weapons for us to overcome," Tigers coach Lisa Brunstrum said. "Their block is so big and strong. As the match went on, we just started committing too many unforced errors (11 in the final set), so that only made matters even more difficult.

"We're young yet. We started one senior and have two new setters this year. Despite that, we still feel we are a very dangerous team."

Star of the Match

Jayden Otto

Prairie Ridge, sr., S

Otto (17 assists, 11 digs) was already limping and playing with a sprained left foot when she also injured her right foot near the end of the first set, yet continued.

The Number

Unforced errors by the Tigers, compared to 17 by the Wolves.

And Another Thing ...

The Wolves would have to lose to three different FVC teams in their final five conference matches to not clinch at least a share or better of the FVC title.