West Chicago battles back to claim win

Updated: October 20, 2011 8:40PM

It was not the ending the Naperville Central girls’ volleyball team wanted for its regular season finale.

For West Chicago senior Julia Conard it was the perfect ending.

The Redhawks misfired on two game points in the first game and couldn’t claw out of a third-game hole, falling 24-26, 26-24, 25-23 at West Chicago, giving the Wildcats a thrilling victory on senior night.

The loss drops Naperville Central out of first place and leaves Naperville North and West Aurora atop the DuPage Valley Conference as co-champions after both won their respective Thursday night games.

“Of course it’s a disappointment, but West Chicago is a great team,” said Redhawks’ junior Sammie Condon, who had six kills and three blocks.

The Redhawks (22-14, 11-3) held a 24-22 advantage in game one, but Nora Palermo (11 kills) and Illinois-recruit Conard rattled off four straight points to take the win.

Conard was blocked by the Redhawks to give them a game two victory, but West Chicago (20-10, 7-7) built an 18-10 lead in the third game before hanging on.

“It was definitely a high-intensity match,” said Conard, finishing with nine kills. “It was great to pull out that last point because we definitely worked hard for it.”

All but buried in the ground, Naperville Central put up seven straight points, punctuated by Condon’s middle kill.

The Redhawks had two chances to tie that were blown on service errors, but managed to pull even 22-22, only to watch the Wildcats respond.

“It’s unfortunate we give up runs of points like that, but on Tuesday at Naperville North we were down 10 and came back and tied it at 23,” Redhawks’ coach Brie Isaacson said. “For me, I never believe it’s over. It’s just trying to find ways to sustain scoring drives so we don’t fall into that big a hole. I think if we could keep it closer the end result could change or make it more competitive.”

Redhawks’ junior Alysia Baznik had nine kills and 10 assists, and libero Carly Wesolowski and setter Abby Williamson combined for 18 digs and 18 assists.

Conard thinks this game was just what the Wildcats needed heading into the playoffs.

“We thrive off this type of competition,” Conard said. “This is the type of volleyball we’re going to see in the postseason.”

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