Manteno Volleyball Defeats Aurora Central Catholic to Win First Sectional Since 1989
Senior Maddie Gesky led the Panthers with 10 kills as they closed out the match with a six-point run.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Manteno High School volleyball coach Alexis Hosselton secured her program's first sectional championship in 37 years on Thursday night. The Panthers defeated Aurora Central Catholic, 25-17, 25-23, in the IHSA Class 2A Chicago Christian Sectional final at Chicago Christian High School.
The victory ended a 37-year wait for a title that dates back to 1989. Hosselton, who attended the school as a player, wore a light purple blazer featuring a pearl Panther she had ironed on herself. After the final point, she embraced her former head coach, Carla Wenzel, who also coached her during her playing days.
Manteno star senior Maddie Gesky was the offensive leader for the Panthers in the final. She recorded 10 kills, five blocks, and eight digs. Her height provided a distinct advantage against the shorter Aurora Central Catholic squad. Hosselton noted that Gesky controlled the net space effectively throughout the match.
The team's performance shifted from the previous week's regional final. A week prior, Manteno fell two points behind rival Wilmington in the third set before rallying for a three-set victory. That close finish created a sense of fragility. For the sectional final, Hosselton said the players entered the gym with a different comfort level and were more prepared than they were on the previous Thursday.
The Panthers controlled the first set comfortably. In the second set, they trailed 19-15 before Hosselton called a timeout. Following the break, the team scored six consecutive points to seal the championship. This dominance contrasted with the anxiety felt during the earlier regional match.
Junior Makenna Laskowski contributed five kills, eight digs, and five receptions. She plays with a brace on her left knee after suffering a torn ACL that caused her to miss her entire sophomore season in 2025. Teammates described her as the heart of the group. Senior Leah Donnelly called Laskowski the team's hype girl, while Gesky praised her court intelligence and calm demeanor.
Setter Danika Fletcher added 18 assists, two aces, and nine digs. The senior has played on varsity since her freshman year. Hosselton credited Fletcher with effective serving and defense, noting that she delivered the ball to hitters well. Leah Milton finished with four kills, four blocks, and four digs. Morgan Derrico recorded 11 digs and nine receptions.
Aurora Central Catholic struggled to keep pace in the final. Natalie Brinka recorded six kills, and Isabel Perez added three kills for the Chargers. The team had faced a difficult regular season but could not maintain momentum against the Panthers in the decisive match.
The sectional win positions Manteno for a potential state finals berth. No Manteno volleyball team has qualified for the state finals this century. The team travels to Seneca to face Tri-Valley in the Class 2A IHSA Supersectional on Monday night.
