Manteno volleyball: Panthers reach sectional final for first time in five years

Manteno High School volleyball has reached a milestone that eluded the program for over a decade under current head coach Alexis Hosselton. The Panthers defeated Victoria Soto 25-6, 25-5 on Tuesday night in the IHSA Class 2A Chicago Christian Sectional semifinal.

The victory marks the first time the team has advanced to the sectional championship game since Hosselton took over the program. Hosselton, a 2015 graduate of Manteno, spent her playing career on Panther teams that won regional titles but lost in the sectional semifinals. She described that history as being the bridesmaid, never the bride.

The path to this semifinal win followed a consistent trajectory of improvement. Hosselton’s first season as head coach was defined by the pressure of high expectations. The 2023 season proved turbulent, resulting in the only losing record of her tenure. Senior Danika Fletcher, who played varsity during that year, recalled the difficulty of finding chemistry. She said the team played scared and struggled to connect, a stark contrast to the current roster.

Since 2023, the program has built on each season. Last year, the Panthers lost six games total, including just one conference match. The 2026 season saw the team go undefeated in conference play, including postseason games. This group of juniors and seniors has been together since the middle school level. Hosselton coached them in eighth grade five years ago, meaning she has guided this specific core group through nearly every stage of their volleyball development.

The team’s cohesion is a product of shared history. Senior Maddy Belisle noted that many players are close friends who grew up in the same neighborhood. She said the four years of playing together created a bond where players compete for each other rather than against one another. Senior Maddie Gesky added that the team celebrates teammates’ successes, prioritizing collective effort over individual accolades.

Tuesday’s match demonstrated that focus. The Panthers had clinched their second straight regional title the previous weekend with a three-set win over Wilmington. They reset quickly to handle Victoria Soto with efficiency. Gesky recorded five kills, two blocks, and five aces. Fletcher contributed 15 assists, four aces, and a kill. Makenna Laskowski added three kills, three aces, and three digs.

Hosselton emphasized the weight of the program's history, noting that the Panthers have reached the state tournament four of the five times they have made it to sectionals. She plans to take a moment to appreciate the program’s growth, particularly after a season that culminated in a 36-1 record. The team now faces Aurora Catholic in the sectional championship match at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Hosselton said the players understand the expectation and are capable of reaching their goals. She described the dynamic as a coach’s dream, with the team buying into the plan. The Panthers are now one game away from reaching the supersectionals, continuing a deep postseason run that has become the norm for the program under Hosselton’s leadership.