Girls Volleyball

October 29, 2006

So Close!!

Lane Tech nearly upsets #1 seed Niles West in regional final

Niles West d. Lane 25-21, 24-26, 31-29

(Lincoln Park High School, Chicago, IL) Niles West coach Stacey Albrecht came into this IHSA regional finals state playoff game very confident. After all, Niles West, came into the Lincoln Park Regional game as the one seed by virtue of being one of the top teams along with New Trier in the Central Suburban League South conference. Furthermore, Niles West easily handled their opponent, Lane Tech  in two matches 25-16, 25-12) to open their season. However there was reason for cautious. Last year, Niles West was in a similar position in the regional final when they got upset by a Laura Barnhardt (now at Carthage College) led Lane Tech team by a score of 25-23, 25-23. In this game, despite the graduation of Laura Barnhardt Lane Tech demonstrated some serious effort as Niles West squeaked by Lane Tech 25-21, 24-26, 31-29. Lane Tech came within one or two points away from shocking the high school volleyball world by upsetting Niles West.

    Number 8 seed Lane Tech earned their way into this regional final game by beating number 10 seed Gordon Tech  25-10, 25-23 last week. Meanwhile, Niles West will face number 4 seed Northside Prep next. Northside Prep beat number 5 seed Guerin to become the sole Public League representative remaining in the state volleyball playoffs.

Recent Lane Tech volleyball state performance

2006

Regional Finals  Niles West d. Lane Tech

2005

Regional finals champion, Sectional Semi-finals Evanston d. Lane Tech

(Only public league team to win regional final)

2004

Regional finals champion, Sectional Semi-finals  St. Ignatius d. Lane Tech

2003

Regional finals champion, defeated Notre Dame in Sectional Semi-finals, Sectional Finals St. Ignatius d. Lane Tech

(Only public league team to make it to sectional finals)

2002

Regional finals champion, Sectional Semi-finals  Fenwick d. Lane Tech

2001

Lane Tech wins public league state tournament to make it to the final 8 at state. Lincoln d. Lane Tech.

(This was the last year the public league state winner would receive an automatic berth to the state tournament)

Members of the Lane Tech girls volleyball team.