Spikers gain 20th victory, lead FVC
HUNTLEY – Adjusting to match circumstances has been one of the strengths of the Huntley girls volleyball team.
The trait was on display as the Red Raiders outlasted Crystal Lake South, 2-1, in Fox Valley Conference action Oct. 15. After a 26-28 loss, Huntley won 25-10, 25-11. The meant another 20-win season for HHS, the 10th straight in full seasons. Huntley, 20-7, was 13-2 FVC with three loop matches left.
“The main thing now is to play well in FVC matches so we don’t have to share the title,” coach Karen Naymola said.
There wasn’t much time to practice the lineup changes for the Crystal Lake South match. They were also without setter Abby Whitehouse, who was injured against Prairie Ridge a week earlier.
“We found out this morning that Julia Lesniak would not be playing because she was out ill today,” Naymola said. “In the first set, we had trouble with the new rotation. The second and third set, we played our game.”
Sophomore Izzy Whitehouse also plays on the junior varsity as she did against the Gators, but just for one set. She played at the net from Lesniak’s outside hitter spot. Izzy Whitehouse contributed 11 kills and three aces.
“Izzy Whitehouse does a lot of swinging for the JV team,” the coach said.
“We do a lot of everything at our practices. I gained a lot of confidence,” Izzy Whitehouse said.
Senior Georgia Watson led in kills with 14 while classmate Sienna Robertson added 10. Senior Mari Rodriquez pitched in four aces and six digs while Alex Goritz had 10 digs.
After the first set win by the Gators, the Red Raiders tied it up in the second set win, 25-10, then took control early in the third set against CLS, with a 12-6 lead, which grew to 20-10.
Tournament goes 4-1
The Red Raiders were 4-1 at their own tournament Oct. 11-12. Huntley won 2-0 over Sycamore, Johnsburg, Woodstock North and Mundelein and lost to Glenbrook South, 2-1, finishing fifth.
Win over Hampshire
For the second straight match, Huntley turned back a contender in the FVC race. The Red Raiders downed Hampshire 25-17, 25-12 Oct. 10.
“We played really well, very consistent and passed well,” Naymola said. “The hitters were swinging away and very aggressive.”
Against the Whip-Purs, Hein concluded with 16 assists and Ernst helped out with 10. Watson led the net play with 14 kills while Robertson added seven. Alex Goritz contributed 11 digs, while Rodriquez had seven digs to go with four aces.
Senior night is coming up for the group of nine HHS players. Burlington Central concludes the regular season Oct. 24.
