Crystal Lake South beats Crystal Lake Central a third time, captures regional title

Crystal Lake South senior libero Layla Addison knew it wouldn’t be easy. Playing crosstown rival Crystal Lake Central for the third time this year, the Gators expected the Tigers’ best punch Thursday.Second-seeded South got it from third-seeded Central, surviving a 25-23, 28-26 match to capture the Class 3A Woodstock North Regional championship in Woodstock.“We all just played for each other,” said Addison, who dove to the floor for two digs on the final point. “We want the best for everyone, and we want to do it for each other and not ourselves. We just wanted to prove that everything we worked for throughout the season was real and for this moment.”The Gators (24-11) advance and will host fourth-seeded Kaneland, a 25-22, 19-25, 25-19 winner over top-seeded Sterling in the Plano Regional title match, in a Crystal Lake Sectional semifinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday.The Gators haven’t won a sectional title since 2017. Thursday’s regional title was their second in three years.“Central’s a great t