HHS moves on to sectional final

HUNTLEY — Post-season time is generally when, whatever the high school sport, the spotlight shines on the seniors.

Huntley’s volleyball squad is no exception. The Red Raiders have nine Class of 2025 members, led by middle blocker Georgia Watson. The seniors will have a chance for a sectional title as the team emerged victorious, 25-14, 25-17 over Mundelein Nov. 5 at McHenry.

With the victory the Red Raiders, 30-8 overall record, advanced to the McHenry sectional final against Libertyville at 6 p.m. Nov. 7. That winner moves on to the IHSA Class 4A supersectional at DeKalb on Nov. 11.

“We came out focused, swinging aggressively and smart and we fed off the energy,” Huntley coach Karen Naymola said of the win over Mundelein.

For Watson, the time wearing the red and white school colors is shorter than most. A December graduate at HHS, she will start her volleyball collegiate career at the University of Kentucky when her classmates return from winter break. She will major in elementary education while playing volleyball for the UK Wildcats.

“I report on Jan. 10,” Watson said. “It feels strange that it’s coming so soon. I want to enjoy every moment we have as a team.”

Watson contributed in many ways against the Mundelein squad looking for an upset and a season series split with Huntley. Watson totaled eight kills, one block, seven digs, and added an ace.

No wonder fans bring signs touting the future D-1 player.

“We love our fans, they’ve been at most of our games,” Watson said.

Also for the Red Raiders’ attack, senior Diellza Sjdini had a strong net game with seven kills and one block. Senior Joyceln Erling, who will play volleyball at Harper College next season, added five kills and one block.

The offense was set up by a double digit assist game from junior Rachel Hein, who had 17 assists, as well as three digs and one ace. Junior Emily Ernst contributed five assists.

Defensively, senior Alex Goritz totaled 10 digs.

The Huntley squad jumped off to a 15-6 lead in the first set, and quickly reached 20-10. Mundelein, 24-14 record, got a couple of points back but Huntley closed out set one.

The second set also saw the Red Raiders jump out early, to a 10-4 lead. A kill by Erling made it 17-10 and a couple more from Sienna Robertson and Sejdini and the Red Raiders were closing in on the triumph.

With the win the Red Raiders surpassed last season’s sectional semi-final round end to Warren Township.

Libertyville beat Fox Valley Conference’s Hampshire, a 29-win team, 21-25, 25-15, 25-23 to win the other semifinal.