York claims magical victory
“We're going to Disney World” shouted one York fan.
If you're a volleyball player or fan, Redbird Arena might as well be the Magic Kingdom this time of year.
York is headed to the state volleyball tournament for the first time in school history after beating New Trier 25-19, 25-22 in Saturday's Class 4A Schaumburg supersectional.
“I don't know what everybody else did before,” sixth-year Dukes coach Patty Iverson said, “but it's wonderful.”
Dukes senior setter Emily Iverson was a fifth-grader in 2003 when her mom and coach guided Maine South to a third-place finish at state.
Now Emily will be on the Redbird floor, not just in the stands.
“I've only been down that one time, when my mom was there,” Emily said. “I always wanted to be like them. This is amazing.”
York (36-4) will play defending state runner-up Lyons Twp. in a 7:30 p.m. state semifinal match Friday. Lyons handed the Dukes two of their losses this year.
“This is something we've worked for the whole season,” Dukes junior setter Katie Gallagher said, “but we also know that this isn't the end. Our goal is not done. This is one step toward our goal.”
Like it has been all year, York's multi-faceted attack was too much for New Trier (27-12).
Six Dukes had multiple kills, led by Caroline Rose's 9. York's two setters, who at 5-foot-8 are 2 inches taller than their explosive outside hitter, did just as much damage at the net. Gallagher had 7 kills, 11 assists and a block and Emily Iverson 5 kills and 15 assists.
“This is our third year playing together,” Emily Iverson said, “and Katie and I have great chemistry. People don't usually expect the setter to be getting the swings. When it comes at them, it kind of catches them off guard.”
Gallagher had back-to-back kills to finish Game 1, the first a dump shot that caught New Trier napping.
“I'm forcing Katie to be more aggressive,” coach Iverson said. “Emily and Katie are amazing. They're both 5-1 setters, but the caliber that they are, I'm not going to take them out in the front row.”
York, in the supersectional round for the first time since 1993, led most of the way but had a hard time shaking New Trier.
The Dukes' lead was 21-19 in Game 1 after a kill by New Trier's Ava Kelley. But Dukes middle Sam Schrenker smashed a kill to give York back serve, and New Trier was called for a double-hit violation. Gallagher's twin kills finished it off.
A 9-3 York run gave the Dukes a seemingly commanding 20-15 lead in Game 2, only to watch New Trier roar back to 20-19 on a Dukes net violation. Emily Iverson gave her team back momentum with a kill off a back set from Gallagher, and two Rose kills off blocks set up match point.
At 24-22 Emily Iverson set Rose, and the 5-6 junior whistled a crosscourt kill off a helpless Trevian defender.
“New Trier played great,” coach Iverson said. “Both their lefties did a wonderful job, we got blocked more than we have the last couple matches and that libero dug a ton of balls. We couldn't get away from them.”