Girls volleyball: Newark stops Schaumburg Christian in sectional final
Since its entrance into the Illinois High School Association two years ago, Schaumburg Christian's girls volleyball program has arguably been the school's standard-bearer in IHSA postseason play.
Under the direction of long-time head coach Alice Cummings, it won the school's first-ever regional crown en route to being a sectional finalist in 2015, then went on to earn a supersectional appearance last year.
Under her Cummings' successor Katie VanderKooi, the Lady Conquerors found themselves with another regional title and a third straight appearance in the round of 16 this season.
This time, however, Schaumburg Christian was matched up against Little 10 Conference champion Newark, who in winning 32 of its first 35 matches only faced a third game 4 times, losing 3 of those.
Less than 45 minutes after the Lady Norsemen's Mikayla Williams serve got the contest under way, it would become 33 wins in its first 36 for Newark.
The Lady Norsemen put an end to Schaumburg Christian's season in a 25-7, 25-16 win in the Class 1A Westminster Christian sectional final on Wednesday evening in Elgin.
Newark (33-3) will face Lexington (30-7) at Friday's Serena supersectional. The Lady Minutemen bested Cissna Park twice by scores of 25-19 at the Streator Woodland sectional.
"Our goal was to keep calm and have fun while not letting the moment overtake us," Newark coach Tonya Grayson said of her team's second-ever sectional title and first since 2009.
"Especially a team like Schaumburg Christian, who has had so much success as of recent years."
For the Lady Norsemen, 6-foot freshman Madi Malone served as the vehicle for Wednesday's success. Four of her game-high 11 kills led the way in set 1 as part of a 16-2 surge that was the difference-maker.
In the deciding second set, Newark ralllied from an early deficit as 5 of Malone's 7 kills key the resurgence. After the Lady Conquerors (18-14-1) pulled within 19-16, Malone's 11th kill and second ace were among Newark's final 6 points.
"Amazing," Grayson said of Madison's performance. "She forgets that she's a freshman sometimes. It can be unbelievable to watch at times."
For VanderKooi, facing Newark provided a challenge to her squad.
"We knew coming in how good they were," she said. "They play a faster-paced style that we hadn't really seen. It felt like we had to do things 10 times faster just to be able to catch up with them."
Junior middle Faith Rahn piloted the Schaumburg Christian effort with 4 kills, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a dig. She chose to give praise to her teammates, including departing seniors Gelyn Divinagracia (libero), MaKayla Keller (outside hitter) and Beka Liu (right side hitter)
"We bonded together as a team," Rahn said. "They gave us that sense of connection between all of us. I am so thankful to have played with them."
A sentiment echoed by VanderKooi.
"They helped to establish this level of high standards that this program has. It was a privilege to have coached them in their senior season."
Having wrapped up their third season in IHSA competition, which inlcuded a six-game win streak that fueled their run to Wednesday's sectional final, VanderKooi can also look to the return of Rahn and four more starters next season.
"Coming here in my first year I didn't know what to expect especially in postseason," she said. "This will serve to establish goals for not only next year but for seasons to come."