Normal West volleyball one step away from state after beating O'Fallon in sectional finals
NORMAL — When it was crunch time in the third set to keep Normal West's quest to get to the state tournament alive, the Wildcats leaned on two players they knew they could count on — Eden Hafermann and Ellie Rink.
In a back-and-forth battle between the top-seeded Normal West Wildcats and the No. 2-seeded O'Fallon Panthers in Thursday's IHSA Class 4A sectional final, Hermann and Rink delivered in a 25-12, 23-25, 25-21 win for West's fourth straight sectional title.
West (36-3) advanced to the Richton Park Super-sectional, where it will face Chicago Marist at 6 p.m. Monday.
"I think it's really special," said Rink, who led West with 16 kills and 14 digs. "I have had great teammates to help me get here. I wasn't playing my best in that second set, and I just have great teammates who supported me throughout that."
The Wildcats, who had won three sectional titles total before this run that began in 2021, will play in the super-sectional for the fourth consecutive year. After beating Taylorville 26-24, 25-21 in the 2021 on their way to a third-place finish in Class 3A, the Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to Taylorville, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23, in in the 2022 supers. Last year, in Class 4A, West lost to Chicago Mother McAuley 25-19, 25-21 in the supers.
In a familiar spot, the Wildcats hope for a repeat of the 2021 game.
"Last year, I thought we played really tough in that moment," West coach Kelsey Mueller said. "That was one of our very first super-sectional appearances in 4A against a very good team. I think this year, all season we have been ready for that moment and to go to state. It's been something we've talked about since day one."
After a resounding 25-12 win in set one for Normal West, the Panthers overcame a valiant comeback by the Wildcats in set two to force a deciding third set. Neither team was able to gain any ground throughout the beginning of the set before an O'Fallon error, a Hafermann kill and a Rink block gave the Wildcats a 15-11 advantage.
A kill by Olivia Ziemer and another error by the Panthers extended the lead to 23-18. A Normal West service error followed by a Gabby Behling kill and an ace by Olivia Thompson trimmed the deficit to just two for the Panthers at 23-21, but Hafermann and Rink's kills sealed the victory for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats got off to a ferocious start to begin the match in set one, building early leads of 10-2 and 20-10. Two straight scores by the Panthers made it 20-12, but kills by Hafermann and Avery Feltes and an ace by Ziemer gave Normal West a 1-0 match lead.
In set two, it was the Panthers who jumped out to an early advantage, as Normal West's lone lead of the set was on the first point. After two straight Normal West errors led to a 16-6 O'Fallon advantage, kills by Rink and Laine Thompson and an O'Fallon error got the Wildcats back into it at 17-12.
"To lose 25-12, and then come back and take a 16-6 lead, it just shows their resiliency and fight," O'Fallon head coach Natalie Best said. "It's what we've done all season, losing the first set. To fight off their comeback, we just kept our composure and trusted in each other."
After the Panthers extended their lead to 22-15, the Wildcats continued to battle back, scoring eight of the set's next nine tallies to make it 23-22. Two kills by the Panthers would give the visitors a 25-23 win in set two, but Mueller commended her team for its effort in storming back and regaining some momentum.
"I'm just proud of them for sticking with it," Mueller said. "When you struggle that hard this late in the season, I think teams could panic or just kind of fold. I think we are battle-tested and ready for any situation. That helps give us the confidence to keep going."
Also for Normal West, Thompson supplied 35 assists and Feltes added nine kills and 12 blocks.
CLASS 2A
Central Catholic headed to supers
Central Catholic prevailed in an epic second set while ousting Champaign St. Thomas More 25-10, 34-32 to win the Monticello Sectional.
The Saints earned a spot in the Arthur Super-sectional and will oppose Carmi White County on Monday at 6 p.m.
"The Sabers made us work hard, especially in that intense second set," Central Catholic coach Jenny Menendez said. "But this test only prepares us for the battles ahead as we continue our postseason journey."
Kampbell Niegapen powered down 13 kills and Rosie Krenz 10 for the 33-4 Saints.
Lauren O'Brien directed the Central Catholic offense with 22 assists and tacked on two aces.
"Our players showed determination and resilience, staying focused to finish strong in the second set against a challenging St. Thomas More team," said Menendez.
El Paso-Gridley advances
At Manlius, El Paso-Gridley vanquished Erie-Prophetstown 25-22, 25-16 to win the Bureau Valley Sectional.
The Titans (30-7) next play at the Seneca Super-Sectional against Chicago Christian on Monday at 6 p.m.
"I'm really proud of this team and how well they are working together. Addi Hale jumping over our bench to dig a ball says it all," EPG coach Andrea Hardwick said. "We are a strong offensive team that can hit from all sides. We are led in kills by seniors Aubrey Phillips and Reese Deckard, who put the ball down."
Deckard's eight kills led the Titans, while Phillips and Hale chipped in five each. Jaida Reed had seven digs and five aces and Taylor Langland 19 assists.
"Our setter Taylor Langland spoils our hitters making sets and net plays that few setters could," said Hardwick. "Last night serving was huge in our win. We served really aggressively and kept the other team from running their offense."
CLASS 3A
U High suffers heartbreaking loss
In the Mahomet-Seymour Sectional, University High's season came to an end with a 25-19, 20-25, 27-25 loss to Mahomet-Seymour.
The Pioneers finished at 35-4, while the Bulldogs moved to the Effingham Super-Sectional carrying a 36-3 mark.
CLASS 1A
Heyworth's season ended
Windsor edged Heyworth 25-11, 25-27, 25-15 in the title match of the Tuscola Sectional.
Lyla Tate led the Hornets with 14 kills. Ava Riddle contributed 26 assists. Riddle and Paylin Williams each had 11 digs.
Lexington falls to Cissna Park
Cissna Park downed Lexington 25-23, 25-22 in the championship match of the Ottawa Marquette Sectional.
Lexington ended its season at 29-8 and received five kills each from Avery Poppe and Kennedy Sennett, seven assists apiece by Emma Bennett and Vivian Wright and seven digs each from Bennett, Meredith Grunloh and Poppe. Bennett served four aces.
Cissna Park advanced with a 34-3 record.
Randy Reinhardt contributed to this story.
Photos: Normal West wins the Class 4A Girls Volleyball Sectional over O'Fallon Township
