York settles for fourth place at state

NORMAL -- The York girls volleyball team acknowledged it was happy to be participating in the Class 4A state finals here this weekend.

But the Dukes were none too pleased about the outcome.

After losing a tough three-game semifinal match to West Suburban Silver rival Lyons Friday night, York put up little in the way of opposition to Edwardsville in Saturday's third-place match, losing 25-15, 25-18.

“We're really disappointed,” said York coach Patty Iverson. “We never hit our stride and never got in a rhythm at all. That was probably our worst defeat of the season.”

Edwardsville (33-9), which like York was playing in a state final tournament for the first time, spotted the Dukes a 2-0 lead in Game 1 and a 3-1 advantage in Game 2, but the Tigers roared back both times.

In Game 1, leading 7-5, Edwardsville went on a 9-1 run to take a 16-6 lead that York could never overcome. Eventually, a net serve by York gave the Tigers the game.

York (34-6) hung around longer in Game 2 but saw an 11-9 deficit become 17-10 and again, the Dukes couldn't battle back.

“Edwardsville played great defense and No. 9 (Samantha Espenesa) put it to us,” Iverson said of Edwardsville's junior Purdue recruit who had 12 kills and 14 digs. “That's two games in a row we had trouble digging the girl on the outside.”

Iverson wasn't sure what her team's problem was Saturday.

“I don't know,” she said. “I'm not sure if we were too tired or too excited about being here or what it was but it's something we have to think about because there will be a next time.”

Juniors Caroline Rose and Morgan Semmelhack led the Dukes with 6 kills each and Katie Gallagher had 13 digs. Senior Emily Iverson had 8 assists.

“Our goal has been to make it to state,” Emily Iverson said. “It's disappointing to not win, but it's been an amazing season and a dream come true to come to state. We worked so hard this season and I'm so proud of every girl on this team. We had so much heart and we played with such passion.”