Girls volleyball: Huntley tops St. Charles East; Jacobs falls in 3
Huntley's girls volleyball team is feeling good at a pretty good time.
The No. 3-seeded Red Raiders coasted to a 25-17, 25-15 victory against No. 7-seeded St. Charles East in a Class 4A Grant Sectional semifinal on Monday and will play for their second sectional title in as many seasons.
"Right now, we're playing with a lot of confidence," Huntley coach Karen Naymola said. "I think the girls are just having fun and playing relaxed. Offensively, that might have been the best we've played all year, where we're just making smart decisions. We didn't really have a ton of hitting errors.
"It's just such a good time playing together, and you don't want that feeling to end."
Huntley advances to play top-seeded Hononegah (30-7), a 19-25, 25-22, 25-19, come-from-behind winner over No. 5-seeded Jacobs (25-11), for the sectional title at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Huntley (27-11), which has won five straight regional titles, is trying to win back-to-back sectional titles after winning its last in 2019. There was no postseason held last year because of the pandemic.
Huntley continued its strong serving and finished with 10 aces in the sweep. The Raiders got four each from sophomore outside hitter Lizzy Williams and junior libero Luma Acevedo and two from junior outside hitter Ally Panzloff.
"It's just really big for us and important that we keep going," Williams said. "Being able to spend more time together and grow as a team is important to all of us. We might have started the season a little slow, but we're coming together at a really good time. I think, honestly, we have a great shot at state when we're all playing our game."
St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull said she was proud of her team for overcoming many ups and downs throughout the season. The Saints won their fourth straight regional and graduate seven.
"We just didn't have it tonight," Kull said. "We couldn't find a rhythm and I feel bad for the seniors. We went from really bad to getting a whole lot better. Winning a regional, I'm really proud of them.
"[Huntley's serving] was aggressive, and we knew that. They did a really nice job. They took us out of our game."
Senior Bella Mosquera had three kills and three blocks, junior Alexis Crossen had four kills and one block, and Kayla Le had two aces and five assists. Lia Schneider had four digs to pace the defense.
"We got really close and we bonded a lot this year," Mosquera said. "I think we had a lot of great wins and were super close with good teams. We weren't picked to win a regional but when we won, it felt so good. I'm really proud of all of us. This really wasn't who we were [tonight]. We could have done better, but all in all I know that we did live up to our potential."
In the second semifinal, Jacobs looked on its way to a potential two-set win after going up 8-2 in the second set. But the Golden Eagles were unable to put away the Indians, who climbed back in the match with a 13-5 run.
The teams were tied at 18 in the third and decisive set before Hononegah ended the match on a 7-1 run.
"They fought. They're a [No. 1] seed for a reason," Jacobs coach Mike Depa said. "We knew they weren't going to roll over and that's what we talked about between the first and second sets. Our serves were really aggressive and they weren't able to run that middle. When they got the middle involved, we were giving them way too many free balls and that's not a good key to success.
"Our whole thing was getting better each day. Every week, we were just getting better with energy, with our passing, our teamwork on the court. We would maybe have one setback here or there but that would never derail us. Positivity was a huge thing."
Rachel Kaczorowski have five kills, one ace, 18 assists and five digs, Ireland Van Stone had seven kills, two blocks, four aces and eight digs, and Meredith Giustino had 12 digs and one ace. Jaclyn Poirier and Sara Wasner had five kills apiece.
Jacobs had a breakthrough season, winning its first regional title since 2008 and placing third in the Fox Valley Conference. The Eagles graduate six.
"We've improved since Day 1 in the gym, not just in games but every single practice," Kaczorowski said. "We've seen the team grow together and I'm so proud of these girls. I love these girls with all of my heart. Our heads our high. We had an amazing season, and I wouldn't change it for the world."