Burlington Central claims first sectional title

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STERLING -- Being pushed to the limit has been nothing new for Burlington Central lately.

After winning in dramatic fashion on Tuesday to take down previously unbeaten Lasalle-Peru, the Rockets were up to more of the same Thursday night against Freeport in the title match of the Sterling Class 3A Sectional.

Once again, the Rockets were tested and took care of business in Game 3 to come away with a 25-22, 23-25, 25-18 win to become sectional champs and advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

Central (33-6) moved on to the Freeport Super-Sectional on Saturday, where it will play Metamora at 6 p.m.

"Because we've had all these challenges in the past six matches, I think we're immune to pressure right now," said Central coach Marv Leavitt.

"We didn't get upset or uptight. We just played through it."

With both student sections in full-go mode, the Rockets came out cool and calm in Game 3.

After a tight back-and-forth battle in the early going, Central went on a 12-2 run thanks to three tip-kills from senior Molly Turk, who ended her night with seven kills and 21 assists, to take a 22-13 lead.

Freeport (30-5), however, cut the deficit to five points before junior Taylor Scully came up with an emphatic spike that was too hot for the Pretzels to handle, giving Central the win and sending the Rockets' student section into an all-out sprint toward the court.

"It was amazing, it felt so good," said Scully, who finished with seven kills. "I said to myself 'Please, just get this point and don't mess it up.' "

The Rockets never gave up the lead in Game 1, but Freeport rallied late to tie the score at 22.

That's when junior Stephanie Holthus made her presence known. Holthus scored two of the Rockets' final three points and ended the game with one of her match-high 21 kills.

"One of our goals was to make it to the Elite Eight. Now that we're here, it's not good enough. We want to go further," said Holthus.

The Rockets battled in Game 2, but seven service errors proved to be the deciding factor that led to a Game 3.

"I have coached for 19 years, and never had a team in the Elite Eight. I'm so proud of these girls and what can I say, they're winners," said Leavitt.