Volleyball squad prepares for state semifinal
HUNTLEY — For Huntley volleyball fans, the play which secured head coach Karen Naymola’s first trip to the IHSA Class 4A State Semifinals will be remembered as the set and the kill for the ages.
Senior Georia Watson’s 402nd kill of the season, following an assist from Rachel Hein, put the exclamation point on the Red Raiders’ 25-22, 25-16 victory over Palatine Fremd for the DeKalb super-sectional championship Nov. 11. Huntley’s state tournament semifinal is against Benet Academy, at about 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Redbird Arena in Normal. It is the school’s first state semifinal since 1997-98.
“I think we have a self-belief as a team, but there is a fine line between self-belief and cockiness and we’re on the right side,” Watson said during the celebration. “I’m so proud of this team, every time we step on the court. Going to state feels so amazing.”
The Red Raiders have won the Harlem regional, McHenry sectional and the DeKalb super-sectional, and have turned back all five post-season foes in 2-0 sets victories. Plus the win was Huntley’s ninth straight.
HHS players were thrilled with the chance to clash with the best at state.
“We’re so determined, we weren’t going to be denied,” senior libero Alex Goritz said. “At practices and games, we say, ‘we win as a team, and we lose as a team.’ We were motivated for this since we lost to Crystal Lake Central.”
Goritz led the defense with 12 digs of the team’s 32 total against a Vikings squad which was 36-7 and had won 19 straight matches.
“It’s surreal,” senior Mari Rodriquez said of the state qualifying achievement. “We’ve waited our whole lives for it.”
“We came back and showed determination,” Naymola said. “I knew this team could do it, I’m so proud of them. They are so dedicated, come in and work hard every day, with no drama. We have such team cohesiveness.”
Huntley had a varied attack to compliment Watson’s talents.
“I was real impressed with how we were able to mix it up on offense,” Naymola added.
In addition to Watson’s 10 kills, Sienna Robertson pitched in five kills and one dig; Deillza Sejdini contributed four kills and Izzy Whitehouse and Jocelyn Erling had three each.
Hein had contributions in multiple areas with 11 assists as well as five digs and once ace.
Rodriquez added to Goritz’s 12 digs with six and Watson had five.
Before a large crowd at DeKalb, the Red Raiders fought back from a 16-12 deficit in the first set for a 17-17 tie. They were tied at 19 and 20, before a Robertson kill sent sent Huntley to a 6-3 finish. There was some debate on the final point, as Fremd was called for a violation.
The two teams were deadlocked at 7-7 early in the second set, but an ace by Hein and a kill by Watson gave the Red Raiders a three-point lead that led to a 13-7 finish.
When the final kill by Watson on a cross-court hit was in the books, the white-clad HHS fans started the celebration, as the 27-year wait for state semifinals was history.
Fremd coach Pete Gavin praised his team’s effort at DeKalb.
“It was a special group and no matter what the result was tonight, we’re proud of them. We knew Watson was a phenomonal hitter, but their serve receive was spot-on.”
Huntley junior Abby Whitehouse was one of the team’s setters before an injury sidelined her, and now she can give a perspective as she cheers her teammates to state play in Normal.
“I am so proud of all of us – they are all my best friends and are amazing,” Abby Whitehouse said.
Naymola, who secured her 500th career win early this year and is up to 529 wins, has had a team make state previously. Her Hampshire squad finished second in 2007-08 in Class 2A.
State Preview
Benet Academy, 39-1, of Lisle and Huntley played Oct. 19, with Benet winning 25-15, 25-20. Benet is led by head coach Brad Baker and the Redwings won the East Suburban Catholic Conference title. They beat New Trier to advance to the state semifinal.
Lockport Township and Chicago Marist play in the second semifinal after Huntley and Benet Academy.
At Redbird Arena, the semifinal winners advance to the IHSA Class 4A State Championship at about 9 p.m. Nov. 16 with the loser going for third place at 7:30 p.m.
Huntley’s history at state volleyball is a strong one.
This year marks eight state tournament bids for HHS. Earlier in the Class A era, they had five places. HHS was runner-up in 1990-91 under Jim Tichy and in 1995-96 under the direction of 400-win coach Larry Kahl. Kahl also had a third place finish in 1996-97 and was fourth in 1994-95 and 1997-98.
