Naperville Central celebrates its champion volleyball team

Three days after clinching the Class 4A state championship, the Naperville Central girls volleyball team is still flying high.

"It was absolutely exhilarating. Amazing. It's the best feeling in the world," said senior outside hitter Rebecca Heath.

Team members on Tuesday got to share that feeling with the rest of their school, which held a pep rally in their honor.

It's the 11th athletic state championship for Central. The volleyball team also brought home the crown in 2005.

"This is the best place to be in the world, this being the 11th time we stand down here and welcome the 2007 Class 4A Illinois state girls volleyball champions," Dean Bill Seiple told the crowd.

The team captured its title Saturday with a 25-23, 25-22 win over Mother McAuley.

On Tuesday, the girls walked the red carpet as their names were called, each carrying a red rose. As a team, they presented their trophy to Principal Jim Caudill, who hoisted it for the cheering crowd.

Coach Brie Isaacson said this championship feels just as good as it did in 2005. The girls had a tough road to make it happen but finished the season 38-4.

"I think at some point during the season after a couple losses the girls realized that if they just continue to work hard regardless if they win or lose, they were going to continue to get better," she said.

Heath was on the 2005 team but couldn't play due to a stress fracture. She said she feels lucky to get to experience another championship and attributed the team's success to the close-knit relationship the girls developed.

"I think we play so well together as a team and that we are friends on and off the court," she said. "I think that really showed. Every time we went out there we were just happy to play and we wanted to play for each other so when it came down to it we just gelled well."

Caudill said he's proud of the group and hopes the team will be a good example for the rest of the school.

"I think they'll remember it for the rest of their life. Down the road, when we get our new trophy cases built in the renovation, we're going to have their pictures under lights for the rest of their life," he said. "They'll always be able to come back and see themselves there as a state championship team."