October 11, 2022, Joliet, IL:  Harper Volleyball traveled to Joliet for an important N4C Conference match. 

In the first set, there were ties at 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4. Harper took a slim lead at 12-8.  But Joliet tied the score at 13-13.  Harper fell behind 15-20, but made a gallant comeback to 22-22 on a Asa Ace.  Then 23-23 and 24-24 and a 26-24 win.  Gabby Elbrecht (Owings, MD/Northern H.S.) had 15 assists in this overtime set…  Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) had 7 kills;  and Katie Hofmann (Des Plaines/Elk Grove H.S.) had 3 kills.  Cana Jones (Walton, IN/Lewis Cass H.S.) had 7 digs. Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) had 9 digs. 

In the second set, Harper fell behind quickly at 2-7.  After scores of 9-13, 10-15, a couple missed serves and a long rally later, Harper finally caught up at 20-20; but promptly lost the next 3 points in a row and then lost 21-25.  Katie Hofmann (Des Plaines/Elk Grove H.S.) had 4 kills and Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) had 3 kills.  Ava Belluomini (Mount Prospect/Resurrection H.S>) led Harper with 5 digs.  Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) was also 6-7 with an ace.

This match was following the same script that played out last time these 2 teams met at Harper.  In the third set here, the score started out even at 2-2 but Joliet did it again taking a large 3-9 lead, then 5-10.  Harper rallied to a one point deficit at 10-11 and 12-13, but Joliet closed the set at 16-21 and 19-25.  Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) had 4 kills and Katie Hofmann (Des Plaines/Elk Grove H.S.) had 3 kills and 2 blocks.  Jocelyn Mercado (Schaumburg/Schaumburg H.S.) led Harper with 5 digs.

In the last set, it was Harper's turn to take the lead at 6-2 and 12-6.  Video replay showed Katie Hofmann's (Des Plaines/Elk Grove H.S.) smash was indeed off the court at 12-7, so instead of 13-7 lead, Harper was up just 12-8…  Joliet came roaring back to tie the score at 13-13… both teams played even 'til the end…  14-14, 15-15, 16-16, 18-18, 19-19… Joliet took a slim lead at the right time 19-21 and 20-22, but the score was tied again at 22-22, and 23-23 when Harper believes there was a touch on a Harper attack that wasn't called.  Video replay was inconclusive. Joliet went on to win 25-23.  Gabby Elbrecht (Owings, MD/Northern H.S.) added 13 assists. Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) had 8 kills in this final set… Ava Belluomini (Mount Prospect/Resurrection H.S>) came to the party with 3 kills in this close 2-point loss.  Natalia Smiech (Sleepy Hollow/Dundee-Crown H.S.) led Harper with 7 digs, Ava Belluomini (Mount Prospect/Resurrection H.S>) added 5 more digs.  Gabby Elbrecht (Owings, MD/Northern H.S.) was 7-8 serving with an ace.

So, Harper Volleyball and Joliet Volleyball finish the season 1-1 against each other… and 4-4 in sets against each other.  I guess we should add up the points between these 2 very evenly matched teams.