Box Score In the first set, Harper led 5-2 early, but Milwaukee tied the score at 5-5 and 6-6.  At that point, Harper steadily took the lead 10-8, 11-9 and 14-9 when Milwaukee called timeout.  Harper took an 18-10 lead after a barrage of Katie Hofmann (/Elk Grove) kills.  Harper extended the lead to 22-11 on the way to a 25-16 win.  Katie Hofmann (/Elk Grove) was unstoppable with 7 kills.  Setter Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 15 assists as Milwaukee didn't give up many points and forced Harper to earn them.  Libero Vicky Gorny had 8 digs, and outside hitter Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) each had 8 digs.   Patricia Wadas (/Hoffman Estates) led Harper with 6-6 serving with an ace.

The second set opened with an exciting LONG rally that Harper finally won when Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) kept the ball inbounds but Milwaukee finally chucked one out of bounds.  Harper then promptly missed a serve to start out at 1-1.  Harper continued and took a commanding 6-1 lead… and extended to 10-4, and 20-10 before winning 25-12.  This time it was Patricia Wadas (/Hoffman Estates) leading the way for Harper with 4 kills and a block.  Natalia Smiech (/Dundee-Crown) added 3 kills and a block.  Setters Alyssa Rodda (/Barrington) and Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) each had 5 assists.  Libero Jocelyn Mercado (/Schaumburg) and outside hitter Patricia Wadas (/Hoffman Estates) led Harper with 6 digs each.  Outside hitter Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) added 5 digs after forgetting how to play back-middle on defense.  Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) led Harper with 7-7 serving including a blistering 4 aces.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) was 7-8 serving… ALSO with 4 aces. 

In the Third set, Milwaukee took an 0-5 lead. Harper knotted the score right away at 6-6.  But Milwaukee continued to fight and took a 9-13 lead.  Harper fought back to tie the score finally at 16-16 and 17-17… and 20-20.  Harper took a 21-20 lead on a Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) Kill, and a 22-21 lead on a Vicky Gorny Kill, and a 23-22 lead on a Katie Hofmann (/Elk Grove) kill.  Harper's 24^th point unfortunately for Milwaukee was an untimely missed serve, and then on Game point, Harper's all-time career leader in aces, Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) served… an ace.  Four Harper players each had 3 kills, Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East), Katie Hofmann (/Elk Grove), Patricia Wadas (/Hoffman Estates) and Natalia Smiech (/Dundee-Crown).  Vicky Gorny was one short… at 2 kills.  This time, setters Alyssa Rodda (/Barrington) and Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) each had 7 assists.  Libero Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) led Harper with 4 digs.  Middle Hitter Natalia Smiech (/Dundee-Crown) was 6-6 serving with 2 aces.  The other middle, Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) was 5-5 serving, but alas, no aces.

Harper travels to Illinois Valley in Oglesby, Illinois on Saturday, October 9, to play St. Ambrose University JV (home of Autumn Miller) at noon, and Illinois Valley at 2:00 p.m.

Next week are two very important conference and region matches against Joliet at Harper on Tuesday, October 12, and at Joliet 2 days later on Thursday, October 14.  These matches will have a significant impact on Regional seeding.  And if one of the teams lose both matches, that team likely will not be able to participate (for the first time ever in Region IV history) in the Regional Playoffs to get to the National Championship tournament.