Joliet, IL: Traveled to Joliet on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The gym was all decked out with pink balloons. There were tons of people watching. The gym was loud, especially when Joliet would score points. At the point where the score was 16-16 in the 5th set, both teams scored EXACTLY the same number of points on both sides (106-106). Then Harper scored the last 2 points to win, and subdue a raucous crowd that was stunned. This was a CLOSE match, and… an instant classic.
In the first set, the score was even at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 5-5, and again at 7-7. Finally, Harper grabbed a 13-9 lead, but missed a serve. Harper maintained the 4- and 5-point edge at 16-12, 18-13, and 20-15, before closing out the win at 25-20.
In the second set, the score was knotted at 4-4, 5-5 and 7-7. Harper took a healthy 14-8 lead. But after a Joliet timeout, the score was quickly tied up at 14-14… then 19-19. Harper took a slim 21-19 lead, and on an Ava Belluomini smash led 22-20, before winning 25-20, again.
In the 3rd set, an overconfident and unfocused group fell behind 0-5. Harper pulled to within 4-5 and then tied the score at 8-8. Then Harper led 11-8 while outscoring Joliet on 11 of the last 14 points. Undaunted, Joliet quickly tied the score again at 11-11, and 12-12 before taking a lead of their own at 12-15, and extended the lead to 12-18. Harper closed to 17-20, and on a 'controversial' double-hit signaled in by the down-judge, a RED card was ultimately administered to the Joliet coach. So Harper pulled within 18-20. An inspired Joliet team caused Harper to be unable to close any further. Harper remained behind at 20-22, and 21-23… on the way to a 22-25 loss, and just a 2-1 lead in sets.
In the 4th set, as usual there were ties early at 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5. But Harper lost its grip on the set, and fell behind 7-13; pulled close at 15-17; but lost its grip again 15-20; and lost 18-25.
In the last and the most exciting set, it looked bleak, as Harper fell behind 0-5. Harper fell further behind and closer to the end at 1-7. Fighting back, Harper pulled to 5-8, but then lost ground again at 5-10, 7-12, and 8-13. Harper Volleyball continued to play hard and pulled to 11-13, and then tied the score at 13-13. There was another tie at 14-14. Harper took a 15-14 lead, but dug a ball headed out of bounds, and couldn't put the next hit away to knot the score again, this time at 15-15.. On the 3rd terrific dig in a row from Abby Major, the result was a monster slam in the middle from Taylor Knuth that gave Harper a 16-15 lead. Joliet tied the score again at 16-16. But Harper did indeed win the last 2 points to win this instant classic 18-16; first on a Cana Jones overpass for a point, and then Joliet hit the last ball wide from their right side.
Next up – Harper travels to Michigan to play Southwestern Michigan at Noon, Eastern Time, and host Lake Michigan College at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time in scenic Benton Harbor, Michigan on Saturday, October 14.
