Volleyball squad set for FVC finish

HUNTLEY — Entering the final week of the regular season, Huntley’s volleyball team earned a tough three-set win over Cary-Grove and finished in the top third of a huge tournament.

The Red Raiders were 27-6 heading into the week. The Fox Valley Conference champs (15-1) have league battles against Dundee-Crown Oct. 17 and Burlington Central Oct. 19, both at HHS. Then it is on to the Rockford East Class 4A Regional five days later.

Huntley lost the first set to C-G, 19-25, but bounced back with 25-16, 25-17 victories Oct. 12.

“In the Cary-Grove match we came out a little slow, making lots of mental mistakes,” HHS coach Karen Naymola said. “C-G played amazing. But we pulled together after the first game, made a couple adjustments and really stressed focusing on back to basics and playing as a team.”

Laura Boberg directed the offense with 25 assists, and added five digs and two aces. Morgan Jones contributed nine kills and nine digs. Avery Gonzalez pitched in three kills and three blocks. Jocelyn Ehrling was strong at the net with eight kills.

Senior Morgan Jones led the Red Raiders at Glenbard East’s Autumn Festival, as she was named to the all-tournament team. Jones, a University of Missouri commit, has topped the 200-kills mark this season.

“Jones was a huge contributor for us this weekend,” Naymola said. “She led every match in kills.”

HHS beat Joliet Catholic, Glenbard South and Wheaton-Warrenville South as it finished sixth of 24 teams.

Regional tournament action and possible advancement to a home sectional are the next main challenges. Huntley plays the Rockford Jefferson and Rockford East winner Oct. 24 at Rockford East and the regional final is Oct. 26. The HHS sectional is Oct. 30 and the final will be Nov. 1.

“I can’t believe how fast the season went,” Naymola said. “We have one week left of and we’re going to focus really hard this week on just practicing and preparing for the postseason.”