Dramatic finish as Warren defeats Grayslake North
By P.J. Bonato Special to The News-Sun October 25, 2012 8:36PM
Warren players (from left) Kendall Farmer, Rachel Ziegler, Paige Jespersen, Danielle Buschick, Stephanie Karlovicks and Jamie Dickinson celebrate after just winning their girls regional championship match against Grayslake North at Grayslake North. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 25, 2012 1:15AM
Danielle Buschick’s block for point saved Warren when Grayslake North was serving for the match, and Blue Devil Jaime Dickinson followed with two thunderous spikes that vaulted Warren past Grayslake North 23-25, 25-20, 26-24 Thursday to win the Class 4A regional girls volleyball tournament.
It was Warren’s first regional title in the sport since 2005 and send it to Tuesday’s sectional semifinals at Jacobs in Algonquin.
“We were a little nervous getting into the match. Give Grayslake North credit,” said Dickinson. “We were able to pull through tonight and accomplish our goal we set for the season to win the regional.
It wasn’t easy.
Grayslake was led by Joanna Guhl (10 kills) and Melanie Aikin (7 kills), and the Knights served for the championship, only to be denied by Buschick’s all-or-nothing block.
That tied it a 24-24, and Kendall Farmer’s next two serves ended with Dickinson spikes, triggering the biggest celebration Warren volleyball has had in years.
“This was Jaime’s best game of the season,” said Warren coach Julie Filippo. “She was up against one blocker, and she got the job done tonight.
“This was an exciting regional-final match,” Filippo added. “I told the girls to keep hitting hard, and we were able to hold on tonight. This was a huge win for the seniors. It means a lot to be here.
In Game 3, It was tied at 23-23 when Grayslake moved to match point on a spike by Guhl.
But that was North’s final point of the season, as it is Warren (20-17) that plays on.
Grayslake North finished its season 13-25 and still has never won a regional in this sport.
“I’m really proud of our team,” said Grayslake coach Nikki Kirchway. “The girls played their hearts out. We peaked at the right of the year.
“We just weren’t able to get it done tonight.”
