Volleyball Region IV Champs 1
2
College of DuPage COLLEGE
3
Winner Harper College HARPER C
College of DuPage COLLEGE
2
Final
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Harper College HARPER C
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
College of DuPage COLLEGE 17 25 25 19 10 (2)
Harper College HARPER C 25 20 10 25 15 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Harper Volleyball defeated College of DuPage in 5-set Thriller to win Region IV Title

Palatine, IL: The Region IV Final Volleyball Championship Match was at Harper College this year. Harper earned the host honor by being the TOP seed in Region IV this year. Seeding this year is an inaugural seeding algorithm that the entire region is using for all sports and all divisions. On Tuesday, October 24, #2 seed College of DuPage defeated #3 seed Joliet in 4 sets. Tonight's match was another barn-burner instant classic in front of the largest crowd at Harper College than 20+ year volleyball coach Bob Vilsoet can remember!  BOTH teams were well supported with a terrific fan base. Nearly all the seats were taken, and the gym was rockin'!

In the first set, Harper Volleyball took a 5-2 lead, which was a good sign. In fact, MANY players, especially club players chant, "First to Five!"  Harper led 9-2 when College of DuPage called a timeout. Harper extended the lead to 14-5, and 17-9. College of DuPage put together a nice run to pull within 20-14, but Harper won 25-17. Regina Anelli did her part at the line with 8-8 serving and 3 aces. 

In the second set, there were ties at 4-4, 5-5… and 11-11. Harper called timeout at 11-12. College of DuPage continued to edge out Harper 16-19, and 19-22 on the way to a Harper 20-25 loss. Sets are tied 1-1 at this point. Back to the beginning. Taylor Knuth was on track in this loss with 6 kills and a block. Anelli had 5 digs.

In the 3rd set, Harper fell behind 2-8, 3-15, and 6-16, before losing 10-25.  "Yikes." Harper only had 3 kills total in this set. Harper hitters had trouble finding the court and had 9 hitting errors in this set. Cana Jones did shine on defense with 6 digs.

In the 4th set, Harper Volleyball gave a lesson in NOT giving up!  Harper led 6-1 when College of DuPage called their first timeout. Harper then led 7-1, 10-3, and 16-7.  DuPage put together another nice run to pull within 17-13 and 21-17.  At 23-19, Ava Belluomini unloaded a monster smash, and helped Harper win 25-19, setting the stage for Harper Volleyball's 12th five-set match this year. Knuth had 3 kills and a block. Anelli had 3 kills and was 5-5 serving with an ace. Jones was 5-5 serving with 2 aces.  Harper had 26 digs in this set… Abby Major and Knuth each had 6 digs, and Belluomini had 5 digs.

In the 5th and deciding set, and in a very loud gym, Harper fell behind 1-4 and then 5-8 at the side-switch.  Harper was now on the 'home side' in front of very large and loud home cheering section!  College of DuPage continued to edge closer to the win at 6-9.  But Harper pulled to 8-9 and then 10-10.  That's when Major stepped up and served 5 times in a row between some exciting and loud rallies to win the Match 15-10.  Another instant classic.  In this set, Belluomini had 2 crucial kills to lead Harper. Knuth had 1 kill, and 2 block-kills. Major finished this set with 8-8 serving, 2 aces, and led Harper in this set with 5 digs. Major led Harper for the match with 16 digs, and earned an All-Region Tournament team award. Knuth finished the match with 12 kills and 3.5 blocks, and an All-Region Tournament award. Eden Suh was also named to the All-Region Tournament team with 31 assists, 9 digs, 16-16 serving with an ace, 3 kills and 2 blocks, and a partridge in a pear tree. 

 

Tonight was a special win.  Coach Bob Vilsoet noted that, "It was obviously the crowd and the support of our other athletic teams that helped us win, tonight!  Home court mattered!"

This will be the last chance for Harper Volleyball to host a Regional Final at Harper College for a LOOONG time.  Harper Athletics will be moving to Division II next year, and going forward, the last rounds of the volleyball region tournament will be at a neutral site. 

As a result of tonight's win, For the District Championship and the right to a bid at the NJCAA National Tournament, Harper Volleyball will host Region 12 winner, Owens Express.  Harper lost to Owens in a 5-set match in Toledo, Ohio earlier this year. Note that there are 4 At-large bids (like wildcards), lurking, to round out the 16-team NJCAA National Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, November 8-11.



From Harper College, named to the 7-player All-Region Tournament team was Middle Hitter Taylor Knuth, Setter Eden Suh, and defensive specialist Abby Major.

Bob Vilsoet was named the Region IV Coach of the Year!

The All-Region players will be named after the final Region meeting takes place. 

 
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