Manteno Falls Short in Supersectional Loss

Manteno volleyball concluded its 2026 campaign with a 25-15, 25-19 supersectional loss to Tri-Valley on Monday night. The defeat marked the end of a run that placed the Panthers within one win of the state tournament, their deepest postseason finish since 1989. The team entered the match having already established new benchmarks for the program during the regular season.

Coach Alexis Hosselton acknowledged the sting of the final whistle but emphasized the long-term trajectory of the squad. “It’s hard because it was the last game, but they have done so much as a group, from their freshman year, from middle school; they have so much to be proud of,” Hosselton said. She noted that the players have been competing together since middle school, creating a cohesive unit that prioritized collective effort over individual drama.

The Panthers struggled to contain Tri-Valley’s precision, particularly against their blocking efforts. Senior Maddie Gesky and junior Makenna Laskowski, who were typically difficult to stop, faced a defensive wall that disrupted the Manteno offense. Despite the early setback in the first set, the team maintained a competitive posture, recalling a previous postseason comeback against Wilmington that resulted in a regional title.

The season produced statistical milestones that reshaped the school’s historical records. Gesky set new marks for blocks and kills, displacing records previously held by Hosselton. Senior Danika Fletcher also established program highs for aces and assists. These achievements underscored the offensive depth the team developed under the guidance of Hosselton and her staff.

Hosselton credited the team’s summer preparation for setting the tone for 2026. She recalled working with Olivet Nazarene women’s volleyball coach Jake Ostema during an offseason camp. “They excelled,” Hosselton recalled. “And just seeing that they are capable of getting to that level. I think they thought this was going to be awesome.. just the mesh of girls was incredible.”

The graduating class includes six seniors: Gesky, Fletcher, Morgan Derrico, Maddie Belisle, Leah Donnelly, and Leah Milton. Belisle highlighted the personal bonds formed over four years of competition. “A lot of us have just been really good friends since we were kids,” Belisle said. “Our chemistry that we’ve built over the last four years is special.”

The program retains key personnel for the next cycle, including Laskowski and sophomore Olivia McElroy. Hosselton left the team with a directive that they are now the opponents other programs must prepare to beat. “You are the team everybody wants to beat now because you broke school history,” Hosselton said. The Panthers will enter the offseason with the foundation of this record-setting year as the baseline for future expectations.