Manteno’s Maddie Gesky earns first team IVCA All-State honors

Manteno senior middle blocker Maddie Gesky earned Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association All-State honors. She led the Panthers to their deepest postseason run in 37 years after the team made it to the Class 2A Seneca supersectional.Gesky was a central part of Manteno’s stellar season that saw them only lose one regular-season game and go undefeated in conference play.Manteno coach Alexis Hosselton calls her their “star.”

Gesky emerged as Manteno’s kills record holder. She surpassed Hosselton, who was at the top of the list before the season began.She also holds the career blocks record. There were also three players named to the second team and six players were honorable mentions.Cissna Park senior Mady Marcott, Watseka junior Liana Navas and Manteno senior Morgan Derrico were all named to the IVCA All-State second team, Marcott and Navas in 1A and Derrico in 2A. As honorable mentions, Manteno senior Danika Fletcher, Cissna Park junior Marina Day, Gardner-South Wilmington seniors Grac