Elgin, IL:  The Friday night fans at Judson University were treated to a wonderful and competitive volleyball match.  Judson won the match in an exciting and close 5-set thriller.  Harper gained some valuable experience in playing close matches.

In the first set of the match, both teams proved out to be evenly matched… there were ties at 5-5, 7-7, 8-8, 16-16, 17-17, and 19-19 after a Vicky Gorny ace, plus 2 more serves to take a 21-19 lead.  Harper traded points for a 23-21 lead on the way to a well-executed 25-21 win.  Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) led Harper with 3 kills.  Vicky Gorny led Harper with 7 digs, and Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 6 digs.  Jocelyn Mercado (/Schaumburg) added 4 digs.  Katie Hoffman was 7-7 serving.

In the second set, Harper was nowhere to be found.  Judson took a 6-14 lead, and extended that lead to 9-20 on the way to a 15-25 Judson University win.  Clearly it was Harper's strategy to lull Judson to sleep.  Vicky Gorny began her long trek toward her career high in kills this match with 4 kills in this set.  Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 6 digs.  Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) was 4-5 serving with an ace.

In the third set, Harper woke up with a 4-0 lead behind Alyssa Rodda's (/Barrington) serves.  But Judson came roaring back to tie the score at 6-6, 7-7, 8-8… and 16-16.  This was an all-out volleyball fight.  Harper took an important 18-16 lead, and extended that to 22-17 and then won 25-18.  Vicky Gorny added 5 more kills and a block in this set.  Her last kill was a Vicky bomb from the middle.  Katie Hofmann (/Elk Grove) added 3 kills.  Setter Alyssa Rodda (/Barrington) had 14 assists in this set.  Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) had 6 digs, Alyssa Rodda (/Barrington) had 5 and Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 5 digs.  Katie Hofmann (/Elk Grove) was 7-7 serving with an ace.  Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) was 6-6 serving, and Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) was also 6-6 serving. 

In the fourth set, more fireworks…  Harper jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but lost 8 points right away in one rotation… Harper down 5-10… The Hawks fought back to a 13-13 tie, but Judson extended to 14-18.   Harper tied the score again at 19-19 and 20-20.  Harper took a small 22-20 lead, but Judson tied the game up and it went into overtime…  22-22, 23-23, 24-24, 25-25, 26-26, when Harper finally fell 26-28, meaning there would be an exciting and deciding set 5.  Vicky Gorny had 8 kills in this long set.  Alyssa Rodda (/Barrington) had 8 digs, Jules Carusiello (/Hersey H.S.) had 7 digs, and Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) had 6 digs.  Cassie Schweikle (/Glenbard East) was 7-7 serving with 2 aces.  Vicky Gorny was 7-7 serving. 

In the fifth set, the tie scores were at 1-1 and 2-2;  and 4-4.  Harper missed a serve, and then missed another one at 6-8.  Harper brought the score back to 11-12, but missed the ensuing serve after a time out, and went on to lose 11-15.  Vicky Gorny and Patricia Wadas (/Hoffman Estates) each had 2 kills, Rugile Jaciunas (/Wheeling H.S.) added 2 block-kills.  Alyssa Rodda (/Barrington) and Vicky Gorny each had 4 digs.

This was a very exciting match for both Harper College and Judson University.  The stands were loaded with spectators and fans on this warm, rainy Friday Night.

Harper's match on Tuesday against Joliet has been postponed due to Covid issues.  It will be rescheduled.