Girls Volleyball: Jacobs figures it out in 2-set win over Cary-Grove

ALGONQUIN – Jacobs coach Mike Depa didn’t call a timeout when it seemed like his team was faltering Thursday night.

Cary-Grove had taken a 12-7 lead in the second set and it felt like the Trojans had grabbed the momentum they needed after dropping the first set.

But Depa did what he’s done all season, he let his players figure it out on the court.

“We trust in our team,” Depa said. “We trust in where we’re supposed to be, playing that good defense and turning that defense into offense.”

The Golden Eagles figured it out, battling back to take a lead they would never relinquish and securing a two-set win against their conference rival, 25-23, 25-23.

Depa hasn’t called timeouts for much of the season because he wants his players to figure out what to do on the court. It’s how he has seen this team grow throughout the season, battling back through different circumstances.

It’s also a way he knows will be helpful when the postseason starts and when his players battle some adversity.

“I try to limit my timeout calls because I want them to figure it out on the court and make sure they’re the ones communicating,” Depa said. “When we get quiet, we don’t play well.”

Jacobs (17-9, 10-6) and Cary-Grove (19-14, 9-7) battled for much of the first set exchanging points, with neither team having a lead greater than three points before the Golden Eagles took a 22-18 lead. The Trojans battled back to 23-21 but the Golden Eagles got a kill from Ireland Van Stone.

The two teams continued the pattern in the second set before Cary-Grove took a 12-7 lead. But Depa didn’t call a timeout. His players talked it through, telling each other that they can battle back, focusing on serve receive.

Jacobs tied the set at 13 and went on to score eight straight points to take a 23-14 lead off of Cary-Grove mistakes and strong hitting. The Trojans battled back to force six match points, but the Golden Eagles put the match away to secure the win.

“The team wants to win,” Cary-Grove coach Patty Langanis said. “They’re fighters, they work hard. I was so happy that they didn’t throw in the towel. They went down as hard as they could tonight.”

Both teams will focus on the last few weeks of the season before the playoffs begin. Cary-Grove will finish the regular season against Crystal Lake Central and Hampshire before starting the playoffs against Vernon Hills on Oct. 26. Jacobs will play in the Maine West Pumpkin Invite this weekend and finish up against Hampshire and Dundee-Crown before playing Auburn to start the postseason Oct. 26.

There are different things both coaches and players want to focus on down the stretch, but for Van Stone it’s all about keeping that energy up.

“We just want to have positive energy and good mindset,” Van Stone said. “That’s all we’re focused on for now.”