Naperville North in the regional championship against the #2 seed Plainfield North. The Huskies took down Metea Valley to earn their spot while the Tigers got a scare from Oswego, needing three sets to knock off the 15 seed.
First Set
Huskies trailing in the early going, Carly Richards, Rachel Rahtz and freshman Paige Lauterwasser go bump set spike for the point. All tied up at four apiece.
Tigers serving, Ashley Kushner with the dig and North sends it over. Plainfield forced to get the free ball back over as well, allowing Anna Jaworski to set up Ellie Hall for the spinning kill. Naperville North pulls in front.
Plainfield North takes the Huskie serve and sets up Arial Amaya who finds the open space in the floor for the point. Tigers right back into it.
Huskies trying to put the set away, Anna Jaworski with a well placed serve just beyond the reach of Emmie Kulak for the ace. 23-17 Huskies.
Naperville North on the brink of taking set one, Tigers sophomore Ella Wrobel goes for the quick kill, Carly Richards with a great one armed save, Anna Jaworski quickly sets up Kara Oxenknecht for the kill. Huskies take the first set 25-22.
Second Set
2nd set, Huskies with a slim lead but Plainfield North turns to 6’3 sophomore Ella Wrobel who brings down the hammer for one of her many kills in the match.
Later in set two, the Tigers look to set Wrobel up again on the other side but the attempt drifts too far over the net as Rachel Rahtz gets up for the block and the point. North up 18-13.
Tigers go on a big run to take the lead and they put the set away as Anna Gawron sets up Arial Amaya for the kill, the North defense can’t get enough of the block. We’re heading to a third set.
Third Set
Tied up in set three, some quick thinking from Anna Jaworski catches Plainfield off guard for the point.
This set goes back and forth the whole way. All tied up at 26, Tigers look to get the edge as Wrobel goes for another kill, but a great block from Rachel Rahtz and Kara Oxenknecht. Huskies one point away from a regional title.
Eva Hartung serving, Tigers don’t get a clean return and the block from Rahtz nearly gets down, but the Plainfield defense rallies to get it back over. Huskies send it back before Anna Gawron pushes one over behind the defense to tie it back up at 27.
Match point for Plainfield North now. Great play by Claire Simpson to stay with the Huskies kill attempt and keep the ball alive. Another kill attempt from Rachel Rahtz is dug out by Rachel Haubert. Another free ball gives Oxenknecht a kill attempt, but Gretchen Ketelhut with the block and Plainfield North hangs on for the three set win. Tremendous effort by the Huskies to nearly pull off the upset. Plainfield North will face Waubonsie Valley in the sectional semis.
Check out other post season volleyball in our Girls Sports Highlights!
