High school volleyball: Cary-Grove success a family tradition

As the final points unfolded in the Grayslake Central Supersectional and the Cary-Grove volleyball team inched closer to an appearance in the state tournament, Sam Katchen clung to her cellphone on the back of a bus.

She had helped the Trojans reach the state tournament in 2011, the team’s third straight appearance. But now, several years and a couple states separate the 2013 grad from the Trojans.

Saturday, when she rode with her Bethany College teammates from a tournament in Kentucky to West Virginia, it was her sister Maddy’s turn. Through FaceTime, Sam watched the match, and when the Trojans clinched, she couldn’t help but cry.

“She sent me messages saying how proud of the team she was,” Maddy said. “She said these were going to be the best moments of my high school career.”

About 8:30 p.m. Friday, Cary-Grove will play St. Francis in the Class 4A state semifinal, with the chance to add to the Trojans' winning tradition. For some on the team, it’s a family tradition.

Senior right side hitter Rachel Rosch’s sister, Ashley, played on all three of the previous state tournament teams (2009, 2010 and 2011). Sophomore Emily Schuster’s sister, Allie Whimpey, was on the 2009 and 2010 teams. And freshman Kate Selsky’s sister, Sam, played on the 2010 and 2011 teams.

“All those families have had a huge impact on our program,” coach Patty Langanis said. “There’s something comfortable as a coach when you see families that have been around so many years in the stands.”

The four players on the current team remember attending those state series matches and watching from the stands. They talked about being overwhelmed by the size of Redbird Arena and the intensity of the matches.

“When both teams walked on the floor, you could see it in their eyes that they both wanted it so bad,” Selsky said. “There was this competitiveness that you can’t describe.”

They still have vivid memories of the players piling on top of each other after the 2009 state championship. During a celebration in the team hotel, Mallory Wilczynski held up a speaker and played the Black Eyed Peas song “I Gotta Feeling.” They now play the so-called “State Song” before each match.

“I think they stood as idols,” Rachel Rosch said. “Since they were so successful, it showed that it was possible.”

If you look, there's another generation coming. Senior setter Erin Olson's sister, Amber, is a sophomore likely to step in at setter next season when Erin graduates. And Alli Splitt's sister, Jenna, although only a seventh-grader, is taller than a lot of the players on C-G's team.

But for now, the focus is on this weekend.

Saturday, Whimpey slipped on her 2009 state championship ring one more time and sent a photo to her sister, Schuster. She told her she finally has a reason to put the ring back on.

"I just started crying," Schuster said. "I want that so bad.'"