The Oak Park and River Forest girls volleyball program has had several talented teams in recent years and enjoyed success. But the Huskies hadn’t won a sectional title since 2013.
Thursday night at the IHSA Class 4A Lyons Township Sectional final, the title drought came to an end as OPRF, the sectional’s top seed, defeated West Suburban Silver rival Downers Grove North 25-20, 10-25, 25-23. The Huskies (26-7) scored the final three points of the match for their third consecutive three-set victory against a WSC Silver opponent.
“This was just a huge thing for us and the program,” said OPRF senior Samantha Shelton, who had 14 kills. “Making it this far just really shows how much we’ve come over the season and how good of a team we really are.”
Emmi Bozarth (13 kills, 14 digs, three aces), Erin Dwyer (29 assists), Devyn Kleidon (nine kills), and Kate Bailitz (17 digs) also made valuable contributions.
“It’s amazing to accomplish this, especially with this group of girls. It’s so special,” Bozarth said.
First-year head coach Symone Speech was on the 2013 team and expected a tight match against DGN. But she credited her team’s resilience as the reason for the victory.
“They know how to fight all the way to the end. I think that is the name of their game – they fight, play hard, make adjustments. And they’re just gritty. I couldn’t have asked for a better group,” Speech said. “
The Huskies meet Lockport in the Hinsdale Central Supersectional, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the state finals at Illinois State University next weekend.
Fenwick
The Friars (26-11) notched their first sectional title since 2016 with a 25-19, 25-17 victory over Payton Prep in the Class 3A Fenwick Sectional final Thursday night. It’s something Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn was excited about afterwards.
“It’s pretty darn awesome. It took three years of work to get here,” he said. “These kids are wonderful, the school’s wonderful. I asked our kids to dream big, and we’re going to keep dreaming next week.”
Bella Gray (eight kills, six digs), Emily Drumm (five kills), Lilly Boyle (four kills) and Sophia Grossman (eight assists) led Fenwick, which faces Nazareth at the 3A De La Salle Supersectional Monday night at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing Downstate.
“(Payton) had a few power hitters and a good, smart center,” Pimsarn said. “We pretty much schemed what we did on defense based on what their servers were doing. The kids were disciplined and it was a good day for them.”
Pimsarn also thanked the large crowd that turned out.
“We asked Friar Nation to show up and they sure did. Can’t be more thankful,” he said.
Trinity
The Blazers (23-14) won their first sectional title since 2008, rolling past Rickover Naval Academy 25-9, 25-9 Thursday night at the Class 2A Trinity Sectional. Trinity faces Rockford Christian at the Marengo Supersectional Monday night at 6 p.m.
