Lockport rolls by Naperville North

Updated: October 27, 2011 9:24PM

“No regrets.”

That was the motto of the Lockport volleyball team before Thursday’s regional title match. The Porters then went out and made sure they had none as they defeated Naperville North 25-16, 25-17 to capture the championship of their own Class 4A Lockport Regional.

The victory extends the coaching career of veteran coach Julia Hudson and moves Lockport (26-11) into the sectionals for the first time since 2006. The Porters will play Plainfield Central, a 25-20, 25-21 winner over Neuqua Valley, in the West Aurora Sectional semifinals on Tuesday at 7.

The 26 wins is the most for a Lockport team since it had 27 in 1999 and the regional title is the 23rd, all of them under Hudson, since 1980. Naperville North, which was the No. 2 seed in the sectional, finishes at 29-8.

“Before hand we all just said ‘no regrets,’” Lockport’s Aubrey Ficek said. “We were all just thinking, go out and play and be regional champions.”

Ficek, a junior outside hitter, helped make sure of that. Both her and senior Anna Bryniarski had seven kills and three aces to lead the way. Christina Wilson added 17 assists, Kayla Pfeiffer had five kills and three blocks and Katie Tabisz registered six blocks for the Porters.

The Huskies had an early 4-1 lead in game two, but Lockport rallied with an 8-3 run to take the lead for good. Ahead 10-9, the Porters pushed on a 9-2 blitz - which Ficek capped with two aces, to go ahead 19-11.

“I felt a shift in the momentum then,” said Ficek of the spurt. “I looked at Hudson and her eyes said ‘finish it now.’ Then I knew we were going to win it.”

Naperville North closed within 21-16, but couldn’t draw closer. Bryniarski had a kill and an ace to put the Porters a point from victory. Moments later Ficek ended it with a tip kill sending the Porters into a pile of pandemonium.

Lockport jumped out to a 5-1 lead in game one and was never really threatened. A 5-1 run also ended the opener with game point coming on an ace from Alyssa Visvardis. The Porters had nine aces on the night.

“We started out strong,” said Wilson, who is a three-year starter. “We held our ground and never let up.”

The Huskies were led by Madison Murphy with four kills. Colleen Larson added 17 digs and freshman setter Emily Kwak dished out 18 assists.

“We hadn’t put it all together, but tonight was the night,” said Hudson, who is in her 33rd year at Lockport and 32nd as head coach. “Talk about the perfect storm, we had the perfect match and we had to to beat Naperville North.

“This is very nice, especially to win it in this gym. It rejuvenated me for another four days of work.”

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