Entering its IHSA Class 4A regional final at Lyons Township, Oct. 31, the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls volleyball team was hoping to avenge a regular season loss to the host Lions.
After an intense match that went the distance, the Huskies were able to get the job done, prevailing 25-16, 27-29, 25-19 and winning a regional title for the third consecutive year.
“It feels great,” said OPRF senior Gaby Towns, who had 12 kills and four blocks. “We’re glad to continue the streak.”
“After losing to LT earlier in the season, we were definitely eager to get there and have a different outcome this time around,” said OPRF coach Kelly Collins.
OPRF (21-16) solidly won the opening set, but the second set went back-and-forth until LT prevailed.
“We had a couple of opportunities to close it out,” Collins said. “Credit to LT; they fought hard and didn’t give up.”
Despite losing the second set, Towns said the Huskies regrouped and were determined.
“When we were in the huddle, we wanted it so bad,” she said. “It was proving to ourselves that we could do it, and knowing that collectively we were on the same page, we’re all going to leave our energy out there to win the set. And we seniors said that we don’t want our season to end now; we’re not done yet.”
Led by Towns, sophomore Emmi Bozarth (10 kills, 14 digs, block), junior Samantha Shelton (10 kills, 9 digs, block), and senior Hannah Phelan (40 assists, six digs, two blocks), OPRF came up with several clutch plays to pull away for the victory.
Sophomore Devyn Kleidon, who recorded multiple aces, and junior Channing Smith, who had a few vital kills, also made significant contributions for the Huskies.
“I played with their older sisters [Keira and Kinsey, respectively], so it’s nice seeing them fill their shoes,” Towns said.
With the victory, OPRF advanced to the sectional semifinals at Willowbrook. The Huskies met the sectional’s top seed, West Suburban Silver champion Downers Grove North, Nov. 5, after press time. A win in the semifinal would put OPRF in the sectional final, Nov. 7, against Downers Grove South or York.
The Huskies lost to the Trojans in the regular season, but Collins believes they’re ready for the challenge.
“We’re looking forward to rewriting the outcome like LT,” she said. “We definitely have to play cleaner than last time, minimize our errors, and come out strong.”
Fenwick beats Trinity
At the Class 3A Fenwick Regional, Oct. 31, Fenwick defeated neighboring Trinity, 25-20, 25-19, to win the title. The Friars advanced to the St. Ignatius Sectional semifinals, Nov. 5 after press deadline, where they met the top seed and host Wolfpack.
“As a program, we’ve been building the past couple of years,” said Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn. “The kids have worked hard.”
Fenwick (15-21) got contributions from sophomores Bella Gray (eight kills, block), Jordan Rossi (three kills, four aces, 1.5 blocks), and Hayley Bernahl (19 assists).
“Bella’s been a workhorse all season,” Pimsarn said. “I told our setter Hayley, ‘Jordan’s hungry, let’s feed her.’”
Trinity (16-21) was led by senior Flynn Puttin (11 assists) and juniors Alice Iammartino (seven kills) and Ginny Redmond (four kills, block).
“They didn’t beat us, we beat ourselves,” said Trinity coach Ken Uhlir. “We had eight unforced hitting errors and two serving errors in the first set. We made a lot of mistakes and I told my girls if we made them we would not compete. It’s unfortunate.”
But Uhlir liked how the Blazers competed, not just against Fenwick, but the entire season.
“I’m proud of my team,” he said. “We’re losing eight seniors, so it’s unfortunate we went out like that. But our young kids shined tonight and we’re looking forward to the future.”