Willowbrook's timing is good

The Willowbrook girls volleyball team is mentally peaking at just the right time.

Thanks to a 25-7, 25-9 victory over Proviso East in Wednesday night's regional play-in game in Villa Park, the Warriors have an opportunity to carry their recent intensity surge into Addison for a third straight match.

With the victory Willowbrook (18-16) clinched a spot in the Class 4A Addison Trail regional semifinals, earning a date with fifth-seeded York set for 11 a.m. Saturday morning.

The Warriors made it apparent from the outset of the match they wanted a third shot at the Dukes, shooting out of the gates to a 15-2 lead over Proviso East.

"We're trying to maintain our intensity that we had against Downers North last Thursday," Willowbrook coach Sue Bower said. "That was probably the best we have ever played. The team unity was there, and everybody was doing their job.

"I think they want to continue it -- especially the seniors. This could be their last hurrah, so they're pushing everybody to get moving."

After the Pirates' Skye Morrison began the game with an ace, Willowbrook reeled off the game's next 11 points. Sophomore hitter Danielle Muhlena racked up 3 kills during the 11-0 run, while senior Collette Williams doled out 4 assists.

The Warriors found another hot streak inside themselves in Game 2, as the home team took a 9-7 lead and stretched it to 17-7 behind the revamped jump-serve of senior Stacie Bower.

"After I got the feel of it, I just started going," Bower said. "I couldn't stop; my arms just kept going, so I was really excited."

"Our serving was really on today. We usually do serve pretty tough, but today it was even tougher," coach Bower said. "I think that they kind of eased up a little in the second game … and then they finally realized 'this is enough; we need to start playing our game.' "

Willowbrook's strong start sapped the Pirates of any energy they had coming into the match.

"It kept our momentum down (and) our energy down, unfortunately," Proviso East coach Emily Tonon said. "I think we picked it up a little bit more in the second game, especially in those last couple of rallies, but it got us off to a rocky start."

Muhlena led all players with a match-high 8 kills, while Williams set the pace with 10 assists. Senior Robin Giden led Proviso East (5-14) with 3 assists.