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The Lyons Township girls volleyball team came up just short in its bid for the program’s first state championship in 20 years this past weekend, but that could not diminish one of the greatest seasons in LT volleyball history.
The Lions finished 37-5 on the year, with the final loss coming Saturday in a 25-23, 25-17 defeat to Cary-Grove in the Class 4A state championship match at Redbird Arena in Normal.
“While it would be nice to be No. 1, we certainly have achieved a lot regardless,” LT coach Joann Pyritz said. “We’re obviously pleased that we were able to get to state and play in the championship game and bring home a second-place trophy to the school. We’re grateful to have had that experience.”
The state tournament experience began Friday for the Lions, who defeated Quincy 25-17, 25-16, to advance to the title match. Alexis Viliunas had 10 assists, Jocelynn Birks had 10 kills and Laura Williams added seven kills in the victory.
Saturday’s match was much more even, with LT and Cary-Grove (36-4) going back and forth for much of the first game. The two teams were tied 23-23, but the Lions were penalized for a double hit, and then the Trojans’ Colleen Hargrove won the game with an ace.
“I think that would have given us a great edge (had we won that first game,” Pyritz said. “I think we started the second game a little less confident than we needed to, and Cary-Grove’s aggressive hitting and serving kept us off balance and we just were not able to pull the game out.”
Cary-Grove had nine aces on the day.
Birks led the Lions with eight kills Saturday, and afterward was voted team MVP by her teammates. The junior outside hitter, who verbally committed to play at the University of Illinois in 2011, led the Lions with 358 kills, 84 digs, 40 solo blocks and 28 aces.
While Birks was most valuable player, Pyritz emphasized that it was because of the team that LT found itself playing for a state title.
“This was a team effort, certainly,” the LT coach said. “You don’t make it to state because two or three people have done the job. Everyone has to contribute.”
Viliunas led the Lions with 543 assists for the season, and also had 246 digs, 210 kills and 43 aces. Erin Juley capped the season with 405 assists.
Jamie Lundstrom finished the year with a team-high 350 digs while Williams led the team with 58 aces. Williams also finished with 233 kills.
Katie Bazzoni had 85 kills, 68 solo blocks and 22 aces, and Tiffany Vazquez finished with 75 kills and 72 solo blocks, both out of the middle hitter position.
LT appeared at the state tournament in 1989, when Pyritz coached the Lions to the program’s second state title. The Lions also won state in 1975.
“To get to the top game — the big game of the 4A Class — is still a tremendous accomplishment,” Pyritz said. “We’re pleased with that effort. Obviously everyone goes for the state championship, but we did pretty darn good.”
