Volleyball squad takes 4th at state; 1st in Huntley’s hearts
HUNTLEY — ‘Thanks for the memories’.
That was the motto that Huntley’s volleyball team’s backers said collectively following a season which netted a fourth place IHSA Class 3A finish, the first such achievement since 1997-98.
There were hundreds of big standout moments in a 32-10 campaign which started in August and ended at Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena in Normal. Lockport Township’s 25-12, 25-21 win over the Red Raiders concluded the HHS season Nov. 16. This followed a 2-0 loss to Benet Academy in the state semifinals, 25-15, 25-19.
The team celebrated its special season with fans at the state finals, showing off the school’s newest trophy.
Another big celebration came after Huntley clinched its first state semifinal since 1997-98 with a 25-22, 25-16 win over Fremd at DeKalb. This followed the third sectional title in four years.
Other highlights:
Head coach Karen Naymola’s 500th career victory early this season at Prairie Ridge (who finished third in Class 3A).
Or maybe the 18-match Fox Valley Conference season which ended with a 16-2 record and a third straight league title. Or the regional, sectional and super-sectional titles with a run of 2-0 set wins.
Individually, standouts were led by Watson’s 418 kills season, and up until the end, HHS fans shouted “D-1!”, referring to her University of Kentucky commit status. Her biggest kill netted the super-sectional victory over Fremd at DeKalb.
Or maybe it was the digs of senior libero Alex Goritz (283 pre-state) ; setting of juniors Emily Ernst and Rachel Hein (332 assists and 249, respectively) and the play at the net of seniors Diellza Sejdini (146 kills) and Sienna Robertson (216 kills) who kept foes guessing.
Also, senior Mari Rodriquez’s aces specialty (55) and the second-half of the season help from junior Sophia Tocmo.
Nine seniors showed the way from day one. The Class of 2024 members also included Ivie Aschenbrenner, Ashley Santana and Ava Czysz.
“Our class is so close and I consider each of the girls some of my closest friends,” Watson said earlier this season. “We are super tight and do everything together which I think is the reason we work so well together on the court.”
“The girls are so dedicated,” Naymola said. “They come in every day and work so hard, there’s no drama.”
State tournament matches
Against Lockport, a key portion of the tournament came when Abby Whitehouse returned to the lineup after an injury had sidelined her for the post-season. She contributed four assists.
Watson ended her prep career with a six-kills, six digs match against Lockport for seven points while Robertson had four kills and Sejdini added three kills. Goritz led the defense with 10 digs. Ernst had six assists.
Semifinal match
Although their hopes for the first IHSA Class 3A State Girls Volleyball title were dashed by Benet Academy, it was a proud Huntley squad which left Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena Nov. 15.
By reaching the state semifinals for the first time since 1997, the Red Raiders secured a top four finish. Benet Academy, (state runner-up), 40-2 and a tradition rich in state appearance program, turned back HHS, 25-15, 25-19 in the Class 4A state semifinal.
Naymola and players told a post-match press conference after the semifinal how memorable this season has been.
“This post-season we’ve grown a lot closer as a team, to get to this special place. We’ve worked so hard,” Ernst said.
“We’ve been a family and we’re so close,” Goritz said.
“I look back and remember when I was in middle school and watching those players who are in college now,” Robertson commented.
“This was a special team, with a lot of great girls, led by our nine seniors,” Naymola said.
The difference came at the net. While Watson totaled 10 kills, and Robertson had four, the Redwings won the block department, 14-0.
Erling set up the hitters 10 times for assists and Hein had eight. Watson showed her talents on the defensive end with 17 digs, while Goritz had 13 and Rodriquez nine.
Naymola praised the community and students for its support in the 41-match season.
“It was overwhelming, amazing, the community support we received,” the coach said.
Returning to lead the charge in 2025 include juniors Tocmo, Leah Holmberg, Ernst, Hein, Abby Whitehouse and Julia Lesniak. Sophomores back are Izzy DeLeon, Summer Massow and Izzy Whitehouse. Freshman Lucy Watson, Georgia’s younger sister, also returns.
One final memory from Friday was Kylie Naymola, age 8, and dad Mike , Huntley’s head football coach, sitting in front-row seats at the state semifinals. Kylie held a “good luck” sign and smiled. Come six or seven years from now, perhaps she will have her chance to play volleyball for mom at state.
