Both Manteno and Beecher came into the IHSA Class 2A Peotone Sectional semifinals looking to snap lengthy sectional title droughts.

Instead, No. 2 seed Manteno fell 25-19, 25-19 to No. 1 Chicago Christian in the first of Tuesday’s semifinals while No. 2 Beecher lost to No. 4 Pontiac 25-12, 25-20.

For Manteno (31-6), the loss ended its longest postseason run in nearly a decade.

After beating Seneca last week to win their first regional title since 2017, the Panthers were aiming to win their first sectional title since 1989. They ultimately came up a bit short against the Knights.

“Obviously it wasn’t the best situation tonight, but they worked so hard all season,” head coach Alexis Hosselton said. “Conference champs, regional champs, and going into this season we were not expecting

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