The IHSA girls volleyball tournament began this week, and both OPRF and Fenwick like where they are as they head into their respective classes.
OPRF
The Huskies prepared for the postseason with a pair of quality non-conference matchups last week. On Oct. 22, OPRF rolled past host Fenwick 25-13, 25-18. Junior outside hitter Samantha Shelton had eight kills and an ace, senior middle hitter Gabby Towns tallied six kills and a block, and senior setter Hannah Phelan logged 12 assists for the Huskies (19-15).
“Obviously it’s a big rivalry,” Towns said. “We were focused, working hard, and applied what we did in practice.”
Although OPRF lost the regular season finale, on Oct. 24, at St. Ignatius, 26-28, 25-20, and 23-25, coach Kelly Collins believes the Huskies, seeded fourth in the Class 4A Willowbrook Sectional, are ready for the playoffs.
“We’ve been a little inconsistent from time to time because we went through some growing pains with younger people filling bigger roles for us this year,” she said. “But we’re confident we can put it together and stay consistent for the playoff run.”
Collins likes where OPRF is seeded in the sectional and adds that familiarity with most of the schools helps.
“We really have to execute at a high level and play consistent,” said Collins about the Huskies’ keys to playoff success, “from our first ball contact to defense. [Against Fenwick] we stepped up our blocking, which was nice to see. All of those are going to be key elements moving forward.”
“We’re really anticipating [the playoffs],” Towns said. “We’ve prepared ourselves.”
OPRF met Kenwood, Oct. 29 [after press time], in a regional semifinal at Lyons Township. Assuming a victory, the Huskies would meet either the host Lions or Nazareth Academy in the regional final, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.
Fenwick
The Friars (13-21), seeded fourth in the Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional, host a regional this week. Fenwick faced Bulls Prep on Oct. 29 after press time. Should the Friars prevail, Trinity is the likely opponent in the final, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.
“Our youth shows, and we’re down our senior setter (Ava D’Alessandro) due to injury,” said Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn. “But we’ve improved every single week. Last year we were talking about taking sets; this year we’re talking about taking matches.”
Fenwick, which has improved its win total from last season, when it had seven, is led by sophomore outside hitters Bella Gray (161 kills, 21 aces, 14 blocks, 147 digs) and Marcelina Kozaczka (141 kills, 13 aces, 11 blocks, 83 assists); sophomore middle-hitter Jordan Rossi (83 kills, 34 aces, 30 blocks); junior libero Sophia Leonardi (42 aces, 44 assists, 162 digs); and D’Alessandro (353 assists, 69 digs, 25 aces).
“We like our chances, but we’ve got work to do,” Pimsarn said of the regional. “We’ll have to see how Ava feels — she’s out with a concussion. It’s also getting our kids to play more relaxed in high-pressure matches.”
Trinity
The Blazers (15-20) are seeded fifth at St. Ignatius and opened postseason play at the Fenwick regional, Oct. 29, against Golder. A win would advance Trinity to the regional final, Oct. 31.
Senior libero/defensive specialist Lilli Puttin was named to the All-Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Team for the Blazers, while head coach Ken Uhlir recorded his 200th career victory at Trinity earlier this season.