It didn’t take long for Manteno’s girls volleyball team to get pumped for the 2026 season.
It came right after the 2025 season ended.
The Panthers won 31 matches — the third most in program history. But they fell to Chicago Christian on Nov. 4 in Class 2A sectional play, 25-19, 25-19. That left a bad taste in their mouths. Soon after that setback, the Panthers went to work.
“Everybody has been itching for this season,” senior middle hitter Maddie Gesky said. “That was a tough loss for us, and we wanted to get back and show what we can do.”
They are showing a lot this season.
The Panthers opened play with a 13-0 mark including four wins in one day on Sept. 5 to claim the championship in their own tournament.
“I think so far we’ve started out strong,” Gesky said. “Of course, there are a few kinks here and there. But overall we’ve been able to overcome that as a team. Honestly, we’ve come out really strong.
“I’m very proud of the way we started the season.”
Heading into this week’s action, Gesky led the Panthers with 87 kills, followed by senior outside hitter Maddy Belisle with 61 and sophomore middle hitter Olivia McElroy’s 55.
Gesky led with 34 blocks and McElroy had 25. Danika Fletcher had 19 aces and 139 assists. Leah Donnelly had 118 assists. Morgan Derrico had 125 receptions and 177 digs.
McElroy tied for eighth place in the IHSA Class 2A high jump this year with a leap of 5-foot-1.
That’s come in handy for volleyball.
“She’s an insane athlete,” Gesky said of McElroy. “She has an amazing vertical, and she hits the ball so hard. She is very important to our team. For being a sophomore, she’s just incredible.”
Gesky’s future
Gesky has committed to play volleyball at Olivet Nazarene University and is seriously considering graduating high school in December to start working with the Tigers and starting her classwork.
That would mean she won’t be playing basketball, where she owns career Panthers records with 1,235 points, 1,136 rebounds and 210 blocked shots.
“I’m pretty sure I’m graduating early,” she said. “But there is always a chance something can change.”
When she does get to college, Gesky will work on a degree that would help her become a pharmacist.
Warriors flag football wins 1-0
Crete-Monee’s flag football team beat Thornton 1-0 on Sept. 10 and that’s not a misprint or forfeit.
Since last year, the IHSA rules are that in overtime, one point is given for a scoring attempt from the 3-yard line and two points for an attempt from the 10.
Thus, after a scoreless regulation, the Warriors won when Ja’La Tonth hit Kaylee Slattery with a 3-yard pass for the winning score.
Softball champs
Two local grade-school softball teams won regional titles on Sept. 12 to advance to IESA sectional play.
In Class 3A, Manteno blanked Limestone 10-0 and in Class 2A, Beecher eliminated Somonauk 6-1.