Box Score  

Joliet, IL:  Harper College defeated Joliet Jr. College in 3 straight sets 25-23, 25-23, and 25-14.

In the first set, Harper fell behind early but tied the score at 14-14.  Harper then missed a serve at 15-14 to tie the score at 15-15.  There were more ties at 17-17 and 18-18, when Ashley's 3 serves took a slim and timely 21-18 lead.  Joliet fought to pull within 23-22 and 24-23, but Harper scored the last point to win 25-23.  Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) and Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) each had 4 kills.  Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) added 3 kills.  Setter Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had 13 assists, and was 7-9 serving.  Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) had 6 digs and Kayla Agoranos (/Hampshire H.S.) had 5 digs.

In the second set, Harper took a 7-1 lead, and essentially maintained that lead to the end at 13-7, 21-16 and 24-18.  But this set was destined to be another close 2-point win, so Joliet scored 5 straight to pull within 24-23, before Harper scored the last point to win 25-23 in what turned out to be a nail-biter.  Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) had 4 more kills. Kayla Agoranos (/Hampshire H.S.) added 3 more kills.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had another 11 assists, and was 5-5 serving with 2 aces.  Ashley Rothenberg (/Streamwood H.S.) had 7 digs and Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 7 digs.

Set three was tied at 2-2 and 3-3, before Harper took a 6-3 lead, and an 11-4 lead behind Kathleen Alimorong's (/Hoffman Estates H.S.) serves.  Harper extended the lead to 15-6 behind Ashley Rothenberg's (/Streamwood H.S.) serving and finally a 25-15 lead behind Taylor's serves.  Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) had 3 kills and 1 and a half blocks.  Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) had 3 kills.  Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 5 digs, and Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) was 11-11 serving with 3 aces.

For the match, Taylor was 23-25 serving with 5 aces.  Ashley Rothenberg (/Streamwood H.S.) was 13-15 serving with an ace.  Amelia Reiter (/Crystal Lake South H.S.) led Harper with 10 kills and rounded out a double-double with 11 digs.  Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) led Harper with 15 digs.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) had 33 assists.  Rachel Kandefer (/Elk Grove H.S.) had 3 blocks, while Rugile had 2.5 blocks.

Next up:  Bryant and Stratton from Wisconsin will be at Harper for an unusual Wednesday, October 9, match at 6:00 p.m. In the last meeting between these 2 teams, at the Rock Valley Invitational earlier this year, Harper lost to Bryant and Stratton in 4 sets.  This should be a fun and exciting high-level match!

On Thursday, North Park University JV will invade Harper College for a 6:00 p.m. match.