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Schools

Ragusa Steps In, JCA Steps Up

The unbeaten Joliet Catholic Academy girls volleyball team travels to the Geneva Tournament. The Angels, fighting off injuries, win the tournament for the sixth straight year behind senior setter Alaina Ragusa.

With the injury bug attempting to take a bite out of the Joliet Catholic Academy girls volleyball team, the Angels responded with resiliency and a stellar showing by senior Alaina Ragusa.

Making the first starts of her varsity career, Ragusa teamed with junior Mallory Mangun at setter and led JCA with 65 assists as the Angels won the Geneva Tournament for the sixth straight time.

After battling through pool play, JCA (8-0) defeated Morris 25-22, 25-16 in the semifinals and then swept the host Vikings 25-20, 25-14 for the title. And the atmosphere was as steamy as the recent heat wave.

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“It’s always a great day when you can go into a hot gym and win five matches in a single day,” JCA coach Christine Scheibe said. “And I have to credit Alaina for stepping into the starting lineup on short notice and playing well.”

Loyola recruits Morgan Reardon and Kelly Feigh topped the Angels with 40 and 37 kills, respectively. Senior middle hitter Hailey Pennington totaled 23 kills and 8 block kills and senior middle Gianna Lincoln added 19 kills.

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A junior outside, Reardon also had 38 points and 27 digs. A senior outside, Feigh had 30 digs and 22 points. Senior libero Jillian Hickey contributed a team-best 36 digs and was second with 35 points. Mangun notched 50 assists and 29 digs.

“Morgan was solid all day long and put some hard balls to the floor,” Scheibe said. “We had, by far, the toughest pool, but it only benefitted us in the long run. We were better for it as a team in the finals.”

In pool play, JCA beat Batavia 25-22, 25-16, edged Burlington Central 24-26, 25-14, 15-9 in a rematch of the 2008 Class 3A state championship match and swept DeKalb 25-19, 25-19 to advance.

The title capped a week of seven matches for the Angels, who are ranked No. 38 in the nation by ESPN Rise and third in the Chicago area by the Tribune and Sun-Times.

“We had a tough week,” Scheibe said. “You combine the seven matches with injuries and the typical things that go on in teenagers’ lives, and I’m proud of how we showed a ton of heart and character.”

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