Box Score Rockford, IL: 10/28/2021

Harper Hawks Volleyball no longer has its sights set on a National Championship. 

#1 ranked Rock Valley defeated #10 ranked Harper College in 3 straight sets in the Regional Playoffs.  Harper College had an excellent team this year, finishing 24-14 overall while playing a VERY difficult schedule, and often without some players for various reasons.  But #1 Rock Valley and Addison Metts (15 kills on 22 attacks) was way too much for Harper College to handle this year. 

In set 1, Harper fell behind quickly at 2-7, and 5-13… then lost the next 12 of 13 points in a row in a 6-25 defeat.  Coach Bob Vilsoet said, "I'd have to go back in our 20-year history and see if we ever lost a set by more points than that!"

In set 2, Harper played much better, despite 11 hitting errors… Harper was at 15-19, and 19-23 before losing 21-25.  Natalia Smiech (/Dundee-Crown) led Harper with 4 kills.  Vicky Gorny entered the match and had 3 kills.  Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) and Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) each had 4 digs.  Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) was 6-6 serving with an ace.  Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) was 4-4 serving with 2 aces.

In set 3, Harper fell behind again early at 1-6… but then caught up at 6-7 and 11-11, 15-15, 16-16 and 17-17, before Rock Valley took a 17-19 lead… 18-20, 21-23 on the way to a 21-25 loss for Harper College.  Harper had 9 hitting errors again, and as a result just couldn't close the gap.  Natalia Smiech (/Dundee-Crown) had 5 kills.  Vicky Gorny added 2 kills and a block.  Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 5 digs.  Jocelyn Mercado (/Schaumburg) had 4 digs.   Both Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) and Taylor Pfaller (/St. Viator) were 4-4 serving and each had an ace.

In closing Coach Bob Vilsoet noted, "This year's Harper Hawks volleyball team was a very strong team.  Players really worked themselves as hard as any team could, but were defeated by possible future national champions.  There's really no shame in this loss.  Regardless, it's a sad day seeing this very successful season end.  Near as I could tell, nobody wanted the season to end."

GO HAWKS!!!