Box Score  

Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 6:00 p.m. at Harper College.
 
Palatine, IL:  This was a big match… Harper College started the night 6-0 in Conference and in first place.  Madison was 5-1, and in second place… With a win, Harper College would be in first place up by 2 wins, and with a loss, Madison would be tied for 1^st place.

In the first set, things went well for Harper College.  There were early ties at 3-3 and 5-5.  Harper took a 10-5 lead behind Amelia Reiter's (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) serves.  Harper extended the lead to 15-9, and then 21-16 on the way to a 25-19 win.  Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) had 2 kills and 3 blocks.  Ashley Rothenberg (/Streamwood H.S.) had 3 kills, and Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) also had 3 kills.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had 8 assists.  Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) was 9-9 serving with an ace.

In a very closely fought second set; there were 10 ties (1-1, 2-2, 6-6, 8-8, 9-9, 11-11, 12-12, 13-13, 16-16, and 17-17)!  Harper took a 4-point lead at 21-17 behind Rachel Kandefer's (/Elk Grove H.S.) serves when Madison called a time out.  Harper went on to score 2 more points to lead 23-17, and then won 25-19.  Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) came alive with 7 kills on 8 swings.  Ashley Rothenberg (/Streamwood H.S.) added 2 kills.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had 9 assists.  Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) was 6-6 serving with an ace.

The Third set was another barn-burner.  There were ties at 2-2, and 3-3.  Madison took a slim lead at 4-6, and 7-9, when Harper tied the score at 9-9, behind Ashley Rothenberg's (/Streamwood H.S.) serves. Harper then led 11-9.  Madison tied the score at 11-11, and 12-12.  Harper took another slim lead at 16-13, but Madison tied the score again at 17-17.  At that point, Harper fell behind 19-23, and lost 19-25.  Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) had 3 kills.  Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) had 3 kills and 2 blocks.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had 8 assists.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) was 5-5 serving with an ace.

In the fourth set of a very tense match, Harper started out ahead 6-3, but Madison tied the score at 7-7, and 8-8.  Harper took a slim lead at 11-9, and missed a serve.  Madison tied the score at 12-12, and hit one out but the ref called a touch against Harper.  The score was tied at 13-13, and again at 16-16, and 17-17.  Harper took another slim lead at 19-17, and instead of pulling away, missed another serve.  Harper continued with a 2-point lead at 20-18, on Rugile Jaciunas' (/Wheeling H.S.) kill.  Harper then led 23-21, and missed another serve.  When Harper took a 24-22 lead, Madison called time out.  After that, Harper thought we won the game on a Madison hit into the net, but the ref ruled the Harper blockers touched the ball, Madison recovered the 'block';  both teams fought hard playing crazy defense to win the point, and the score tightened to 24-23.  Harper won the ensuing side out, and won the set 25-23, and thus won the match 3-1.  Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) got loose again for 6 more kills on 9 swings, and had 16 kills for the match.  Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) was tough again with 4 more kills.  Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) added 3 kills.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had 13 assists in this final set.  Kayla Agoranos (/Hampshire H.S.) was 4-4 serving with an ace.
 
Harper College is now 7-0 in N4C Conference.  Madison College is now 5-2 and in second place.  For Harper, there are 5 matches left to play in conference (Joliet, Triton, Milwaukee, College of DuPage, Rock Valley).

Next up:  Harper College travels to Lincoln Land this weekend to play D2 Kalamazoo Valley (6:00 p.m.), and D2 #8 Illinois Central College (8:00 p.m.) on Friday night and D3 #3 Columbus State and D2 Frontier College on Saturday.