Lady Blue Thunder Upset in Semi-Final

By Chris Johnson, REPORTER

 With a defeat by the Crystal Lake South, Lady Gators on Thursday, Oct. 27, the Season came to a close for the Belvidere North, Lady Blue Thunder volleyball team. The 25-21, 25-22 losses in two sets closed the regular Season and activities on the court for this year’s Seniors. The Winter Sports Season is just weeks away. Training has already begun for the Spring Season as well. Athletes who spent time focusing on volleyball can now turn elsewhere. Those who played this year for the last time for Belvidere North, include: Jadah Harris, Celine Wis, Bailey Neiber, Kristin Guenev and Ellyn Boatman. The last games were played. The look back on the season can occur. Sports will move forward, as does the athlete’s Season. Activities will continue for Senior Elise Rand, as she prepares for the shift to basketball and the many tournaments waiting.

Crystal Lake South entered the Class 4A Regional as the eleven-seed. They weren’t really considered as a “threat” for the Regional Title. Playing at home can be a difference-maker. The Lady Gators took care of the six-seed and moved on to face a familiar opponent, Prairie Ridge. Over the past few Seasons, Belvidere North has fought to stand with some of the best “large-school” volleyball squads in the State. At 4A, they play at the highest level against the teams with the greatest population. An area around Crystal Lake produces a substantial population center. Belvidere North will have to consistently find ways to defeat eastern McHenry County programs if they hope to advance in post-season games.

With District control, the talent-pool still runs deep in the Class 4A field. In two separate Regional Title Games, Crystal Lake was represented. At Crystal Lake South, the host faced three-seed Crystal Lake-Prairie Ridge. In the Huntley Sectional fill-in game at Rockford East, Crystal Lake Central beat Hononegah. The NIC-10 was 0-2 in the Regional Finals. The Belvidere North, Lady Blue Thunder will open the 2016 Basketball Season with a game at home, Monday, Nov. 14 against McHenry County powerhouse Woodstock. Tournament Basketball begins with games continuing into Thanksgiving week for the boys’ teams as the final days of the Fall Sports Season comes to a close.

Belvidere North, Lady Blue Thunder Varsity Volleyball Team

Awards Banquets and Commemoration Ceremonies look to be in order as planning already begins for the invitations to play at the Christmas Holiday Classics.