Young Glenbard West falls to Riverside-Brookfield

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, Glenbard West's girls volleyball program just kept on winning and getting better this fall. But the fun run ended at Thursday's Addison Trail sectional final against a talented, more experienced Riverside-Brookfield squad.

With the 6-foot-8, Wisconsin-bound Dana Rettke slamming 25 kills, the second-seeded Bulldogs eliminated Glenbard West 25-19, 19-25, 25-18 to advance to Saturday's Schaumburg supersectional against Fremd.

With seven sophomores on the roster and as many as four playing together for lengthy stretches Thursday, the Hilltoppers looked a little sloppy in the first set but sharp in the second set. Then following a big swing by sophomore Ananda Patterson, who had 8 kills, top-seeded Glenbard West found itself trailing just 12-10 in the decisive third set.

But the Bulldogs (32-7) had just too much firepower in Rettke and fellow senior Georgia Cinkay, who turned in a 9-kill, 11-dig effort for the sectional champs. The Hilltoppers, meanwhile, weren't at their best down the stretch, possibly done in a little by their youth.

"It was a well-fought match," said senior Ella Ridinger, who had 7 kills for the Hilltoppers. "I think it was just nerves (down the stretch). We have a very young team. I think a lot of our younger girls just let the nerves take over. We tried to push, but I just don't think there were enough seniors for it to work. But next year they'll be set."

While the Hilltoppers - second in the Class 4A tourney last year - leaned on a number of underclassmen, Riverside-Brookfield went to its two big seniors to help the program claim its first sectional crown since 1988. But coach Dan Bonarigo also wanted his entire team to focus on defense in the match, and the Bulldogs did just that.

"We just keeping talking about committing to all the defense and just going after everything on the floor and that really makes a difference," he said. "I mean Dana's gonna put a lot of balls away, but if we don't return what they're putting over then we're got not going to get as many opportunities. Defense is what gave us a chance and it gives Dena and Gia (Cinkay) that many more swings."

Libero Maya Diaz had 14 digs, Cinkay had 11 and setter Maria Gonzalez added 10 as the Bulldogs' defense was a key to their victory.

"We played hard, and we knew what they were going to do so we felt well prepared. But when you fall short on execution and they have a kid, let's face it, how many times are you going to see someone like that in high school?" Hilltoppers coach Peter Mastandrea asked of Rettke.

The Glenbard West coach, however, expects Thursday's setback to fire up his returning players. On top of that, he was quick to point out how much this year's team accomplished while winning a regional after going 6-0 to win the WSC title.

"Losing a game like this should motivate them to come back real strong next year," he said. "I'm sad for my seniors, but we have enough returning that I believe our program will be fine. This was a year that we were supposed to take a step back. Whatever we did this year was a bonus and it was a really good year."

Senior libero Claire Wagner - the youngest of three sisters to come through the program, all of whom advanced to at least the Sweet Sixteen - closed her senior season with 17 digs and 2 aces.

"I definitely think we can hold our heads up high," she said. "We fought all season and we got better throughout the season. It was a great season and the program means so much to everyone. It's just sad to say goodbye. We'll cherish every game we had together this season because we're like a family."