West Aurora hoping for another shot at Benet

Updated: October 24, 2011 9:04PM

Live and learn.

Members of the West Aurora volleyball team are hoping that was the case two weeks ago when they met up with top-ranked Benet Academy in a Gold Division match at the 24-team Glenbard East Autumnfest Tournament. Benet won it in two sets, the first by a lopsided margin, the second much closer.

“The first (set) were played them we were definitely nervous because of the name and reputation that they have,” West senior middle Lauren Wilson admitted. “The second (set), we really played with them. I think if we do have a rematch, I think we’ll be ready.”

The 23-12 Blackhawks went on to finish out the regular season as co-champs (with Naperville North) of the DuPage Valley Conference, the program’s first DVC title since joining the league in 1997 and first conference crown since winning the Upstate Eight title in 1994.

West, seeded eighth in its Class 4A sectional, opens the playoffs Tuesday at the Benet Regional against 10th seed Joliet Central. A win would send the Blackhawks to Thursday’s 6 p.m. title game, most likely against the top-seeded Redwings.

It won’t come easy. The Redwings have 30-plus wins and have won all four tournaments they’ve entered this season.

The challenge may not be as formidable as that facing West, but few — if any — of the teams in The Beacon-News circulation area appear to have smooth sailing to a regional championship.

That’s daunting, considering nine of those teams have topped the 20-win mark this season. Of that group, Class 1A Newark is the lone top seed (at the Streator-Woodland Regional). The remaining seven teams in that group include Rosary, Waubonsie Valley, Metea Valley, Batavia, Geneva, Yorkville and Indian Creek.

Rosary has 23 wins and opens Tuesday at Yorkville against the 22-8 hosts, who set a school record for wins this season. A win over the third-seeded Foxes would likely send the Royals to Thursday’s title match with top seed and 2010 Class 3A runner-up, Joliet Catholic Academy.

Upstate Eight Valley champ Waubonsie Valley could be an exception. The Warriors are seeded fifth in the sectional and open against No. 12 Romeoville with a chance to move on and face No. 4 Naperville Central, a team Waubonsie has beaten twice this season.

Metea Valley is coming off a win in the Kaneland Spikefest last weekend — its second tourney win of the season — and is seeded sixth in the West Aurora field. Antoinette Senese has stepped up big to replace injured libero Alyssa Ensminger (hip) and will have to continue to be on her game if the Mustangs hope to avenge a tough, three-set loss to district and conference rival Neuqua Valley in a projected title matchup.

In the St. Charles East Sectional field, the No. 2 Saints will likely stand in the way of No. 7 Batavia at the Glenbard East Regional. Host Geneva (No. 4) is the top seed at its regional but will likely be challenged by second-round opponent West Chicago (No. 5).

Also in 3A, 19-win Kaneland has its strongest team in years and finds itself headed east to the St. Francis Regional, where the host Spartans are a potential finals foe.

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