After a somewhat slow start to the season, the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls volleyball team has hit its stride, having won eight consecutive matches. The latest victory for the Huskies occurred Oct. 8 at East Avenue rival Fenwick, 25-11, 25-15.
Afterward, both OPRF coach Symone Speech and Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn were impressed by the fan enthusiasm and turnout.
“It’s always fun having the community rally around something like this,” Speech said.
“That’s why we do this every year. It’s about the community,” Pimsarn said. “These kids are friends, neighbors, and whatnot. They grew up together and that’s why we keep doing this. It was a great environment.”
After Fenwick (11-17) got the first point of the match, OPRF (16-6) ran off seven unanswered points to take control and win the set. Then the Huskies put the Friars in an early hole to start the second set, scoring the first six points.
“We just talked a lot about discipline in our gym and knowing that we are working for more than just this single game,” Speech said. “Just remember all the things we work on in practice and play hard.”
To their credit, Fenwick rallied several times. But each time the Friars felt momentum building, the Huskies snatched it back.
“Youth got us. Maggie (Hiller) had an injury early on and (we) had to shift stuff,” Pimsarn said. “But I liked our fight.”
In her return to Fenwick, where she was a three-year varsity player, Bella Gray led OPRF with eight kills.
“It was really surreal playing against them. It was a fun game,” she said.
Gray wasn’t the only player to shine for the Huskies. Aniyah Scott had five kills and six blocks. Emmi Bozarth had four kills, four aces, and two blocks.
Devyn Kleidon had six aces and 13 digs; Eva Truss five blocks; Jaida Garland four blocks; Edie Carroll nine assists; and Lura Weiner nine assists and two aces.
“Playing Fenwick every year is one of the best games of the year,” Kleidon said. “The fans go crazy and it’s a crosstown rivalry. We’ve beaten them every year; I’m 4-for-4.”
Emily Drumm led Fenwick with three kills and five digs. Sofia Grossman had two kills, and Carolina Herrera had an ace and 10 digs.
Last week, the IHSA released the brackets for the upcoming state tournaments. OPRF is the top seed at the Class 4A Jones Sectional and is also hosting a regional, Oct. 27. The Huskies will meet either Simeon or ITW Speer in a semifinal that evening.
“We have a really clear shot to state this year,” Kleidon said, “and we have to make the most of it. We want to play strong, play our game, and hopefully the outcome will be good.”
But before then, the Huskies have a challenging regular-season finish. OPRF visited Lyons Township on Oct. 11, after press time, with the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title up for grabs. That’s followed by the Glenbard East AutumnFest, Oct. 16-17, where several of the area’s top programs will compete.
“We’re feeling great. I feel like we’ve been working all season and we’re going to peak soon,” Bozarth said. “But it’s great that we haven’t really peaked yet; we’re still getting better every day.”
Last week she recorded both her 500th career dig and 500th career kill in OPRF’s victory at Downers Grove North, Oct. 13. Bozarth, who has committed to the University of Rhode Island, also got her 100th career ace vs. Fenwick. She’s the third Huskies player to get 100 career aces, joining Grace Nelson and Samantha Shelton.
In Class 3A, Fenwick is the eighth seed at the Wheaton St. Francis Sectional. The Friars, who like OPRF, won a sectional championship last year, face host Trinity in a regional semifinal, Oct. 27.
Pimsarn hopes his team will continue to improve daily in order to be at its best for the postseason.
“We just need to keep playing volleyball at this point,” he said. “We’ve played some hard (matches) and next week’s not going to be any easier. We just need to keep building against good competition.”
Following a match at Carmel that took place on Oct. 13, after press time, Fenwick closes the regular season with a three-game homestand against Riverside-Brookfield (Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m.), Resurrection (Oct. 20), and Latin (Oct. 22).