Girls volleyball: Huntley outlasts Hononegah in 3
There wasn't the least bit of panic.
After Huntley dropped the second game to Rockton Hononegah 25-20 to even the match, the Red Raiders responded to win the decisive Game 3 25-16 Monday night at the Class 4A Dundee-Crown sectional semifinal in Carpentersville.
The 33-5 Raiders, who won the first game 25-14, will play in the sectional final Wednesday night against St. Charles East at 6 p.m. The Saints defeated cross-town rival St. Charles North 15-25, 25-13, 25-21.
"To be honest with you we relaxed and got a little too comfortable in the second game," said Huntley coach Karen Naymola. "It reminded me of the Belvidere North match we lost in the finals of our tournament. I told them our season was on the line and we had to stop making mistakes. We really pushed it in that third game and played our game. We didn't want to end our season tonight."
With the score tied at 5 in the third game, the Raiders went on a critical 6-0 run to take a 11-5 lead. Huntley served 4 aces during the surge, 2 each by Bridget Bethke and Josie Schmitendorf. Katelyn Bower collected 2 kills as the Raiders took the lead for good.
The Indians got within 16-12 on a kill by Emma Schroeder but couldn't get any closer.
The Red Raiders seized control of the game and match with a 7-0 run. Emma Konie deposited 4 kills and served 2 aces as the Red Raiders opened up a 23-12 advantage.
A kill by Kylie Jenkins vaulted the Raiders into the sectional title game against the same St. Charles East team that defeated Huntley in last year's sectional final.
Bethke collected 12 digs for the Red Raiders.
"Being on JV (junior varsity) last year I am just excited to be a part of this varsity team," said Bethke. "The playoffs are so exciting and there is so much energy in these matches. We have tremendous chemistry on this team. Everybody is good friends off the court and that certainly helps on the court. We are excited to play for the sectional championship."
Konie led the Huntley hitting attack with 9 kills and 4 aces while Jenkins provided 7 kills and Ashley Konecki had 5 kills with 3 blocks.
Koniecki, like Bethke, was a member of Red Raiders junior varsity last season.
"Coach (Naymola) was clear between the second and third games," said Koniecki. "She told us if we don't play better our season was at risk. We played like we were capable in the third game. We have to cut out the mistakes and have fun. It is fun to be on the varsity this season."
Taylor Jakubowski had 21 assists with 9 digs and 3 kills while Schmitendorf had 19 digs, 2 aces and 4 kills for the Raiders.
Schroeder led the Indians with 14 kills.