Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Journal-Topics Game Writeup

Palatine, Ill- It shouldn't be this easy, should it? The Harper College volleyball team picked up postseason play right where they left off the regular season with two more wins, and a Region IV title to boot. The North Central Community College champs (N4C) upped its record to 40-1 and now have a chance to win the first volleyball national championship in school history.

In the first match of the day, Harper handled fourth-seeded College of DuPage in three sets. All three sets finished close, but superb defense and strong attacking from the Hawks proved to be too much for the Chaparrals.

Harper setter, Katelyn Sommers (/Buffalo Grove) facilitated the offense recording 32 assists and 10 digs in the match. Defensively, Hannah Moore (/Schaumburg) and Kayla Mayer (/Wauconda) added 17 digs apiece. Ariana Chelini (/Crystal Lake South) was perfect in the service game going 12-12 in the match.

After defeating DuPage, Harper prepared for its impending matchup with either No. 2 ranked Madison College or Rock Valley College. Madison College claimed the victory, setting up the third battle of the nation's top ranked teams in 2016. Not only would Harper be forced to beat the Wolfpack for the third time of the season, they would have to do it in Madison.

The championship match started as expected with a 10-10 tie early on. Then, Madison raced ahead 22-15 forcing Harper coach Bob Vilsoet to spend a timeout. Then, in what might have been the most important run of the match, Harper outscored Madison 11-2 down the stretch earning a 26-24 victory. Freshman hitter, Ellie Burzlaff (/Harvest Christian) was fantastic late in the set with six kills in her final 7 attempts.

The Hawks could not dig out of an early 1-7 deficit in the second set, never getting closer than three points before falling 21-25.

The third set, many times the most important set in a 1-1 tie, was all Harper. The Hawks went up 11-7 then 20-11, before closing the set out 25-14. Burzlaff again led the attack recording five kills and Kathryn Novy (/Dundee-Crown) was also strong for the Hawks with three kills and a block.

The fourth set turned out to be the decisive one, but was never close. Harper started fast, and stunned the hosts with a 25-15 set and match victory. Marielle Lugo (/Hoffman Estates) had four kills in the set and Sarah Udoni (/Palatine) added three for Harper.

Vilsoet was pleased with the effort of his Hawks, but also thanked the fans for creating what felt like a home court advantage. "The fan support for Harper was tremendous," said Vilsoet. "It felt like it was a home match today. The crowd was loud and supportive."

Vilsoet was very complimentary of Madison College's play on the day and as a host. Madison faced a tall task playing a close match against Rock Valley just prior to playing the No. 1 ranked Hawks. "Mentally and physically (for Madison) it is tough to come back for another match after playing Rock Valley in a five-set match just prior," Vilsoet said. "Madison having to battle in its first match certainly benefited us."

Despite Madison's possible fatigue, Vilsoet still felt his Hawks deserved credit for taking care of business no matter what the opponent was dealing with. "In sets three and four we attacked very well," Vilsoet said. "Madison faced a steady-diet of left-handed right-side attacks followed by some strong middle-attacks. Our attacking was made possible by our stellar defense, as usual."

Still, the Hawks are not content with a Region IV championship. After the best regular season in Harper volleyball history, they know the only way to finish it is with a national championship. The Hawks chance for the title will start on Nov. 111 in Rochester, MN with the first round of the NJCAA National tournament.

If history tells us anything, they will be ready.