By Dennis Bowling
No comeback is impossible with Manteno eighth grader Leah Donnelly serving. In the first game of the match, despite being down by a 21-12 count, Donnelly’s nine straight service points energized the Panthers. They managed to rally and tie the score at 21-all, then went on to win the first game as well as the match on March 9.
The amped-up Donnelly had a great game and finished with 10 service points, along with six good passes, to help Manteno beat the Tigers, 26-24, 25-22, in a high energy Class 8 4A Regional 10 title game at Manteno Middle School in Manteno.
With the win, Manteno (25-1) will advance to play in the Summit Hill Sectional in Frankfort on March 13, at 6:30 p.m.
“Leah did an awesome job,” said a very happy Manteno Coach Alexis Hosselton. “At the beginning of the season, she was not very confident. Today, she did a phenomenal job of serving. Those serves were momentum changing. They are our biggest rival. We either would win or not, but I did not want this season to end.”
At the conclusion of the second game and the match, students and parents flooded the floor and celebrated with the very happy Panthers team. Donnelly was sporting a huge smile, while munching on a donut.
“We are all very supportive of each other,” she said. “I was very focused on my serving and had confidence in my serving ability. It’s just a great feeling to beat them.”
In the first game of the match, with the score tied at 24-all, the Panthers Madison Belisle served two straight service points to win the game, with Ryan Mazelka delivering the game winning kill.
In the second and deciding game of the match, the Panthers Danika Fletcher delivered six straight service points for a 7-3 lead. Moments later, with the score tied at 8-all, Donnelly served five straight service points for a 13-8 lead. Along the way, the Panthers Belisle’s kill won the ninth point. Madelyn Gesky (8 kills) blasted a free ball return to win the 11th point. Mia Shedwill also had consecutive digs to help win the 12th and 13th points.
With the score tied at 22-all, Panther Leah Milton’s (6 kills) kill made it 23-22, which was followed by Morgan Derrico delivering a pair of service aces to win the match.
“Morgan is just a very good server and knew the importance of getting the ball over the net,” said Hosselton. “Madelyn was on and was able to get that free ball. She really hit it hard.”
Derrico (seven service points and five kills) was enjoying the post-game celebration and said, “After we won the second game and the match, everyone was yelling and screaming. We were all eating donuts. Leah gave us lots of energy with her serves and is a great team leader.”