Ultimate Volleyball Club Girls 16 Black came ready to play on Sunday, February 5 when they won the ASICS-Mikasa Invitational 16U Division at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill. The team started the day exceptionally strong with impressive pool play wins over Impact 16 (21-15, 21-15), Uno 16 Shannon (21-17, 22-20), Diamond Elite 15 opal (21-12, 21-14) and Uno 15 Brittany (21-3, 21-6). Melanie Craft, Crete, Ill., Becca Benscik, Manhattan, Ill., and Christina Chillon, Frankfort, Ill., played tough defense all day long.

Outsides, Elise Yambor, Frankfort, Ill., and Nia Long, Flossmoor, Ill., contributed powerful kills and were the driving force behind the team’s playoff victory against Sky High 16 Lopez (25-8, 25-19).

The championship match went three games with Sky High 16 Bruns (29-27, 19-25, 15-9). In game one, Stephanie Asauskas, Homewood, Ill., and setter Rachel McBride, Monee, Ill., played unstoppable defense. Big blocks from Jackie Santucci, Tinley Park, Ill., and Hannah Tunstall, Frankfort, Ill., concluded the nail-biting win. After falling short in game two, the girls dominated game three from the beginning. Becky Alexander, Mokena, Ill., dominated with timely kills to help maintain the lead and Brittany Pappas, Frankfort, Ill., came through with three crucial, finishing aces. "My heart was pounding the entire match and I can't describe how proud I am of these girls. They fought hard all day and their hard work paid off. They deserve this," said head coach, Alyssa Pickert.