Manteno Girls Volleyball Secures 11th Straight Win Over Peotone

UPDATE: The Manteno girls volleyball team achieved an impressive 11th consecutive win with a hard-fought victory against rival Peotone on October 3, 2023. This win solidifies their position at the top of the Illinois Central Eight Conference with a perfect 6-0 record in conference play.

In an intense match that showcased both teams’ tenacity, the Panthers initially dropped the first set 25-19, but quickly rallied to take the next two sets 25-19 and 25-21, maintaining their undefeated streak. The win brings Manteno’s overall record to 17-3, while Peotone falls to 10-6 with a 2-4 conference record.

Junior libero Morgan Derrico, who led her team with 24 digs, emphasized the importance of these close matches. “It’s a really good learning opportunity,” Derrico stated. “We need more energy in order to play these bigger games, especially rivalries.”

Despite facing challenges, including the absence of freshman middle hitter Olivia McElroy due to illness and an early exit of right-side hitter Aubrie Goudreau after a hit to her eye, the Panthers displayed remarkable resilience. Leah Milton stepped in for McElroy, contributing three blocks and two kills, while Amelia Cabello filled Goudreau’s role and also added crucial points.

Junior Maddie Gesky led the team with 13 kills and four blocks. She praised her teammates’ contributions, noting, “Leah’s confidence in blocking was amazing and very crucial for our win.”

Head coach Alexis Hosselton commended the team’s ability to overcome adversity, stating, “I always tell the girls that it’s so important to push through adversity. Adversity is how you learn, and that’s how you grow.”

For Peotone, head coach Kathy Barger acknowledged her team’s efforts but noted they left too many points on the table. “We just made a lot of mistakes in that second set, which cost us the set,” she explained. “But they fought hard on every point.”

As the season progresses and competition intensifies, Manteno aims to build on this momentum. The Panthers’ next challenge will be crucial as they face other strong opponents in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for more updates on Manteno’s journey as they strive for continued success in the Illinois Central Eight Conference.