Burlington C. seeking first sectional crown

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Burlington Central's volleyball program is one victory away from earning its first-ever sectional championship.

And if the Rockets perform like they did during Tuesday's Sterling Class 3A Sectional semifinal victory against previously undefeated LaSalle-Peru, Central can make plans for a super-sectional appearance.

Central (32-6) takes on Freeport (30-4) in tonight's sectional title match at 7 in Sterling. The Rockets needed three games to advance from Tuesday action.

"I'm just so proud of all the girls. All the younger girls really stepped up tonight," Central senior Molly Turk said following Tuesday's victory. "Everybody just played their roles. The crowd, the fans, the parents, everyone was supporting us so much. They were the reason (we prevailed Tuesday). Everyone did what they had to."

Playing stiff competition throughout the regular season has helped the Rockets during the state tournament.

"One of our goals was to make it to the Elite Eight and the fact that we're already at the Sweet 16 makes it that much better," said Central junior star Stephanie Holthus. "We wanted to come out here and play our style and we knew we'd win if we did that and we came out with a big (win)."

Central coach Marv Leavitt said his team is ready for more.

"I think this gives us a big boost but we also know that from now on (in) every part of the tournament there's no easy game," Leavitt said. "We are going to have to play our best again, but certainly it gives us a lot of confidence."

The Central-Freeport winner advances to Saturday's Freeport Super-Sectional where the winner of the Washington Sectional awaits. Bloomington and Metamora meet in that tilt tonight.

• Hampshire, fresh off eliminating the 2007 Class 3A state champion, is back in action tonight at the Marian Central Sectional. The Whip-Purs (35-2) take on the host Hurricanes (31-6) in the title match at 7.

Hampshire, the 2A state runner-up last season, downed Crystal Lake Central 27-25, 25-19 Tuesday to advance.

"With the rally scoring, anything is possible," Hampshire coach Karen Whitehouse said after her team downed CLC. "Volleyball is all about momentum and once we got the momentum, we just kept it."

• St. Edward (22-17) is eyeing its fourth sectional volleyball title in school history. The Green Wave takes on Oregon at 7 tonight in the finals of the Forreston Class 2A Sectional. St. Edward defeated the Hawks in two games during the regular season.

• St. Charles East (34-4) is rolling along in the postseason. The Saints meet Class 4A sectional host York (30-8) in the finals tonight in Elmhurst. The Saints placed third in Class 4A last season.

• Huntley is just one win away from the school's first sectional volleyball championship since 2001.

The Red Raiders (24-14) meet Crystal Lake South (31-7) tonight in the Prairie Ridge Class 4A Sectional final.