Breaking Down Cary-Grove State Volleyball

Cary-Grove (36-4) vs. Chicago Marist (34-6)

When: Friday, around 9 p.m. (will be played following Class 3A semifinals and first Class 4A semifinal)

Where: Redbird Arena, Normal on the campus of Illinois State University

The Trojans should be very familiar with the state tournament with this being their third straight trip to Redbird Arena and will face a Marist team that will make their first appearance at the state finals. Cary is on a roll having gone undefeated since Oct. 1, winning 17 straight matches. Ashley Rosch and Melanie Jereb had led the team in kills this season with 331 for Rosch and 298 for Jereb.

There are several players on C-G who are on their third trip and the nerves won’t affect them. Also, those players who experienced last year’s three-set defeat in the championship game will want to make sure that Cary brings home their second Class 4A state title in three years. The other semifinal features 34-6 St. Charles East and 37-3 Benet Academy. Cary defeated St. Charles East in two sets on Sept. 10 but that was over two months ago. One positive in Lyons Township, who played Cary in the last two championship games, isn’t here because of Marist, who ended Lyons’ season in the supersectional.

If you can’t get down to Normal for the game late Friday night, the match will be streamed at www.ihsa.tv. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday night around 9 p.m.