Girls volleyball: Twin sisters Grace and Kristen Anderson are in sync for Naperville North

As twin sisters, Naperville North seniors Grace and Kristen Anderson have always had a great connection.

Their bond is obvious on the volleyball court.

“We started the sport together when we were both 13, and we’ve been on the same team almost every club season and every school season,” Grace Anderson said. “So we know each other.

“Like I know the tempo she wants when she hits, and we just work very well together.”

That leads to an enjoyable experience for both of them.

“It’s really fun because I can read her sets, so I know what she’s going to do,” Kristen Anderson said. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to play with my sister as a senior.”

That was especially true Tuesday, when the Andersons led the host Huskies to a 25-20, 18-25, 25-19 victory over Naperville Central in the DuPage Valley Conference opener for both teams.

The Huskies (9-7, 1-0) were playing without their leading hitter, senior Joelle Pye-Blacknard. But senior outside hitter Emma Chang led all players with 10 kills, and Grace Anderson had six kills along with 15 assists, nine service points, five aces and 13 digs.

Junior outside hitter Olivia Monteith paced Naperville Central (12-3, 0-1) with six kills, and senior outside hitter Mila Norkett added five kills.

“It was really fun, especially because it’s our first home conference game,” Grace Anderson said. “It was really fun to win against our rival.

“With Jo out, I just think all the hitters and the whole team was like, ‘We are going to play our hearts out so that we can win.’”

Naperville North coach Nate Bornancin said it was a big win.

“We’ve had such a tough schedule, and the girls know that,” Bornancin said. “We play in the toughest tournaments.

“With Joelle out for a couple days, we needed to get kills and digs and aces from other places, and boy, did they step up.”

The Andersons were at the forefront of that effort, especially when it came to serving. They combined for 17 service points, including nine of Naperville North’s 11 aces.

Kristen Anderson, a 5-foot-7 right-side hitter, came through at several clutch moments. With the third set tied at 11-11, she scored two consecutive service points, the second of which was an ace, to give the Huskies the lead for good.

Grace Anderson, a 5-11 setter, followed soon after with a kill and an ace.

“Kristen will hit on the right side for us at times, but her serve is her best skill,” Bornancin said. “We started throwing her back there this year, and as you can see, when it was close in that third set, she got an ace for us. They were out of system because of her serves throughout the three sets.”

The Andersons were in sync to the end, clinching the victory in dramatic fashion. Kristen Anderson served, and Grace Anderson recorded the kill on a tip to the middle of Naperville Central’s defense.

“I was a little late, but my coaches, they told me that my off-speed is one of my best scores,” Grace Anderson said. “So I was focusing on trying to tip to either the donut or corner.”

That is one of Grace Anderson’s strengths.

“She just has really good court awareness, especially on the last point,” Kristen Anderson said. “She got a perfect off-speed tip to the middle of the court. She knows where the other team is.”

The Andersons always know where each other is on the court. But for all that they have in common, there are differences.

Grace Anderson is right-handed, and Kristen Anderson is left-handed. Grace Anderson is also 4 inches taller.

“She got all the height,” Kristen Anderson said. “I got the brains.”

Is that true?

“Pretty much,” Grace Anderson said with a laugh.

In reality, both sisters are honors students. Grace Anderson, who hopes to play in college, plans to study biomedical sciences. Kristen Anderson, who will not continue her volleyball career, is going to study chemistry.

In their final season together, the Andersons hope their personal chemistry bodes well for the Huskies.

“I think if we keep working hard, we can do really well and win conference,” Grace Anderson said.