Manteno Volleyball Wins First Sectional Since 1989

Manteno High School volleyball has broken a 37-year drought.

The Panthers defeated Aurora Central Catholic, 25-17 and 25-23, in the IHSA Class 2A Chicago Christian Sectional final on Thursday night at Chicago Christian High School. The win marks the program's first sectional title since 1989.

Coach Alexis Hosselton described the team's mindset as distinct from their previous high-pressure moments. She noted that the players arrived at the gym with a sense of comfort that was absent during their regional final a week earlier. That earlier match against Wilmington ended in a three-set victory after Manteno trailed by two points.

Hosselton said the team played with a different focus on Thursday. She stated, 'I could just feel the comfort from them. From the second we stepped into this gym. They were much more ready than last Thursday.' The Panthers took control early, winning the first set by eight points.

In the second set, Manteno trailed 19-15. Hosselton called a timeout. Following the break, the Panthers scored six consecutive points to close out the match. Senior Maddie Gesky led the team with 10 kills, five blocks, and eight digs. Her height created a defensive advantage against the smaller Aurora Central Catholic squad.

Hosselton praised Gesky's performance at the net. She said, 'She's just lights out. She took up so much net space for us again tonight.' Gesky noted that the team now has three additional games in the postseason. She said, 'Tonight we just capitalized on it.'

Junior Makenna Laskowski contributed five kills, eight digs, and five receptions. She played with a brace on her left knee, having missed her entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. Laskowski described her return as a relief. She said, 'I feel blessed. All of that hard work that it took to get back, I really thought it was never going to be like this again.'

Teammate Leah Donnelly highlighted Laskowski's role as a morale booster. Donnelly said, 'She's always our hype girl, I just love that.' Gesky added that Laskowski possesses high court intelligence and remains calm during service and defense.

Setter Danika Fletcher recorded 18 assists, two aces, and nine digs. Hosselton noted that Fletcher performed well on the serving line and in defense. She added that Fletcher effectively directed the ball to hitters and masked their positioning.

Leah Milton added four kills, four blocks, and four digs. Morgan Derrico contributed 11 digs and nine receptions. For Aurora Central Catholic, Natalie Brinka recorded six kills and Isabel Perez added three. The Chargers had a difficult regular season but could not overcome Manteno's momentum in the final.

Manteno now has a chance to reach the state finals, a milestone no school team has achieved this century. The Panthers will travel to Seneca on Monday night to face Tri-Valley in the Class 2A IHSA Supersectional.