Morale is high in the central gym as both girls’ volleyball teams start off the first set. Crystal Lake South starts off with two quick points, but with the help of #7, Claire Dugena, and #21, Sabrina Taraba, they are tied up again.
They continued going back and forth throughout the first set until both teams were at 24 points. Crystal Lake South came out on top by two points in the first set, taking an early lead.
Starting the second set with a blank slate, #18, freshman Hannah Rutkowsi, said, “After losing the first set by just a few points, we reminded ourselves how close we were and that we could definitely come back. Instead of getting discouraged, we used that loss as motivation to push harder.
We focused on improving our communication, maintaining our energy, and staying positive. Knowing that we were right there with them kept us confident and determined going into the second set.”
Within minutes, Huntley is down 5-0, and they call a time-out. Going back out, Huntley catches momentum, turning Crystal Lake South’s 5-0 lead into a 5-2 lead.
Later into the set, Crystal Lake South is up by one point, the score is 21-20, with this outcome quickly matching up, #4, freshman Emersyn Gres said, “we were still down, but only by one point. Everybody started to get really excited, and that is when I became more helpful and confident that we could take that set. So when we were serving and we went up to 23 to their 21, I knew we would just have to fight all the way to the end, and we did.”
Going into the last set, both teams were neck and neck; this set would be the end-all, be-all, and neither team was planning on giving up the win anytime soon.
Huntley starts the set off with a quick 1-0 lead, but Crystal Lake South quickly counterattacks that. With the score going back and forth throughout the whole set, each point gets more nerve-wracking.
With the whole audience on their toes, they go into the last few points, with a score of 21-21, it could be anyone’s game. Huntley is the first in this set to hit 22; a time-out is called by Crystal Lake South. One play later, they are tied up again, and this time Huntley calls the break.
They fight it out, but Crystal Lake South hits 23 points, keeping Huntley at 22; they call another time-out. Despite their hard work, Huntley took a loss, as the Gators strung together two more points, hitting 25, and winning both the set and the game.
