The plan was slow starting, but once they got it going their aggressive play earned them yet another win. Manteno High School's volleyball program won their 24th match of the season and improved their record to 24-4 and 11-1 in the River Valley Conference after the 25-15, 25-13 win over Central Thursday, Oct. 16. "We started slow before we were able to kick in our plan," said coach Carla Wenzel. "We wanted to get a couple of kills right off the bat, but it didn't happen right away. The girls got aggressive and started forcing them (Central) to commit the errors."

The Panthers' plan was hindered by some opening errors that the Comets used for a 4-1 lead. Stephanie Chavez provided solid serving and Lisa Schroeder backed it up with hard kills quickly getting Manteno ahead 7-4. Schroeder's third kill of the game and the dink by Danielle Graefnitz had the Panthers cruising. Central wasn't completely overpowered as Kelly Cunningham kills and a few Manteno miscues allowed the score to stay tight at 13-12.

Colleen McQueen swung things Manteno's way with a kill and two kills by Schroeder meant the Panthers' aggressive play was in motion. Amanda Bechard offered another point as did Claire Viall with Central finishing the game with three errors. The second game was all Manteno from the start building an 11-3 lead on the attack of Viall who knocked down anything that came her way. Couple the blocking of Viall with Graefnitz, and the Comets couldn't get the ball into Manteno's zone.

Amanda Schreffler offered service points and some excellent backcourt digs before Central would mount a charge for a 22-10 score that Manteno allowed to get closer on three hitting violations. Schroeder offered nine kills, five digs and three blocks with McQueen providing steady assist with eight assists and Chavez eight digs. The senior night festivities allowed the program to honor Schroeder, Graefnitz and Viall along with getting the Panthers prepped for the post season.

"This senior group has worked so hard over the years and put in a lot of time," said coach Wenzel. "We do need to be better on our service receive and be consistent in our passes. It's important we do something on the first ball and force the other team into making mistakes."