OPRF, Fenwick volleyball seasons end at sectionals

The Oak Park and River Forest High School girls volleyball team came into its IHSA Class 4A Willowbrook Sectional semifinal against Downers Grove North, Nov. 5, with confidence. The Huskies had a competitive loss to the West Suburban Silver champion Trojans during the regular season and believed they could prevail in the rematch.

OPRF (21-17) indeed put up another fight against DGN, taking leads in both sets. But the Huskies were unable to finish as the Trojans handed them a season-ending 23-25, 24-26 defeat.

"It was definitely a hard way to go out," said OPRF coach Kelly Collins. "We made a lot of unforced errors on our side ... our inexperience showed in those tight moments on such a big stage. We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit, not playing cleaner."

Junior outside hitter Samantha Shelton led OPRF with seven kills, five digs, and an ace. Senior middle hitter Gaby Towns, who made the WSC Silver All-Conference team, had five kills and two blocks; senior setter Hannah Phelan 17 assists, five digs, and an ace; and junior outside hitter Channing Smith three kills and three blocks.

Collins felt the Huskies had another good season despite losing stalwarts Keira Kleidon, Grace Nelson, and Kinsey Smith from last year due to graduation.

"Without a doubt," she said. "I tried to reiterate to the kids that despite this disappointing loss, we have to remember all the successes we had. I really applaud our seniors [Phelan, Towns, Scarlett Simkowski, and Tewa Woodson, the Charlotte commit who saw limited action this year due to injury] who led the way, and the rest of the team followed. They came in working hard every day; it's a great group of kids and that's all you can ask for at the end of the day."

Next year, sophomores Emmi Bozarth and Devyn Kleidon along with juniors Shelton, Smith, and Erin Dwyer will lead a roster filled with promising young players.

"We have a lot of kids coming back," Collins said. "I don't have a doubt that they'll be ready to fill roles next year."

The Friars (15-22) lost their Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional semifinal, Nov. 5, to the host Wolfpack 15-25, 19-25.

However, Fenwick's future looks bright as 10 players are scheduled to return next season, including sophomores Hayley Bernahl, Bella Gray, and Jordan Rossi, along with juniors Lilly Boyle, Marcelina Kozaczka, Emma Kure, Sophia Leonardi, and Lily Sampey. Gray, an outside hitter, and Leonardi, a libero, were named to the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference all-conference team.