PALOS HILLS, Ill. – The #4 Harper College had leads in the first two sets but was unable to close out either set in a 3-0 loss (20-25, 23-25, 13-25) to #4 Moraine Valley Community College (Div. II).  The Cyclones have now given the Hawks two of their five losses this season.
 
“It is always a good atmosphere at Moraine Valley,” said head coach Bob Vilsoet.  “A nice gym, good opponent, and the game was even broadcast on Internet radio.  Even though we lost, I'm looking forward to hearing the playback.”
 
Harper (20-5, 6-1 N4C) jumped out to an early 7-5 lead, but Moraine Valley rallied to tie the set at 8-8.  The Hawks responded with five straight points but the Cyclones answered with six ofhte next seven points to knot things up at 14-14.  Moraine Valley increased the lead to as big as six before winning 25-20.  Veronica Dabrowski (Des Plaines, Ill., Rolling Meadows) had five kills in the set while Sarah House (Crystal Lake, Ill., Crystal Lake South) had six digs and two kills.  Kelly Sommers (Arlington Heights, Ill., Buffalo Grove) was 8-of-8 on the service line.
 
The Hawks started quickly again, racing to a 14-6 lead behind strong defense from Kelly Spychala (Des Plaines, Ill., Elk Grove), who had 14 of her team-high 20 digs in the set.  But similar to the first set, the Cyclones closed the game quickly to 16-14 before pulling even at 17-17.  There were additional ties at 18-18, 19-19, 21-21 and 23-23 before Moraine Valley scored the final two points to go up 2-0.
 
“Moraine Valley started slow in each of the first two sets,” Vilsoet said.  “We had good leads in both sets, but then they kicked into gear and we could not keep up.”
 
Harper struggled with serve receive in the final set, falling behind 12-7 early and sputtering to a 25-13 defeat to end the match.
 
“After almost winning the second set, I think we were emotionally spent, and lost the third set without much fight,” Vilsoet said.
 
Dabrowski finished with a team-high ten kills to lead Harper while House added six and Stephanie Igielski (Streamwood, Ill., St. Edwards) contributed five.  Clara Moravec (Lake in the Hills, Ill., Jacobs) had four blocks for the Hawks, three of which went for kills.  Sommers had a double-double with 22 assists and 16 digs.
 
“We played well in spurts, and must focus on our consistency especially on passing and blocking, and intensity level,” Vilsoet said.  “But that's why we play the games against these top teams.  Moraine is still undefeated this year.  All five of our losses have been to very good teams.”