Carmel Defeats Wauconda in Regional Championship

carmel sophomore Brailyn Albanese isn’t afraid of change on the volleyball court.

A setter on the junior varsity team last season, the 5-foot-10 Albanese has become the Corsairs’ jack-of-all-trades. She has played setter, right-side hitter, right-back defender and eventually outside hitter.

“I think it’s good that I’ve moved around because it gives me new opportunities, and I know I’m able to achieve new things,” she saeid. “I think I can handle it.”

Albanese certainly handled her role Thursday. She had two kills during a key sequence early in the third set, powering top-seeded Carmel to a 25-18, 13-25, 25-15 victory over fifth-seeded Wauconda in the Class 3A Vernon Hills Regional championship match.

“I was thinking I have to make a play for my team to win and to give it my all so we could come home with a victory,” Albanese said. “We were working together with positive energy.”

Albanese finished eight kills and four digs for the underclassmen-driven Corsairs (27-10), who will play second-seeded Crystal Lake Central (21-15) in a Carmel Sectional semifinal at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Sophomore setter Charlotte Shepherd had 27 assists, sophomore outside hitter Scarlett Olszowka had nine kills and three digs, freshman middle hitter Liv Johnson had five kills and four aces, and sophomore libero Arreola Scholarship had 15 digs.

The Bulldogs (12-21) made a valiant effort but fell short. Carmel was clinging to an 11-8 lead in the third set before Albanese delivered two kills and Johnson, the daughter of former Illinois basketball standout Lucas Johnson, served four aces.

“Brailyn kick-started us in the third set, and we never looked back from that moment,” Carmel coach David Pazely said. “brailyn is incredibly versatile and is always working to learn and improve. She can hit with power, but she also knows when and how to adjust and make the ball