The H-F girls’ varsity volleyball team did amazing in their 2019 season, but their challenges are just starting. The team had an amazing 28-6 record for the season, which is an improvement from last season’s record of 23-11.
The team consists of seven seniors, which is astounding for this year’s team compared to the one senior that was on the team last year, so the experience level is higher.
The girls have been blowing the competition out of the water by sparking a 17-game win streak and they finished the regular season undefeated in their conference. They’ve beaten heavy hitters in the conference, such as Bolingbrook and Lincoln-Way Central. They even won the St. Viator Invite and the Manteno Invite in September. Head Coach Anthony Kruse believes that this team is one of the best H-F has had.
“I think we came into the season with high expectations. All and all, I think our season went really well, and we are right where we expected to be. Record wise, this is the best season H-F has had,” Kruse said.
The seniors this year have made a big impact on the team, and the team’s performance. Senior Journey Barsh believes this season is the best of her four years here.
“I think the season’s gone really well. I think this is the best record that we have had since I’ve been here,” Barsh said.
Just because the regular season was good for the girls doesn’t mean the postseason will be a cakewalk. Everyone will have seen how the team plays and will be ready to counteract their moves.
Several of the teams will be waiting to play them in the playoffs just to get their revenge for the regular season, but the girls will be ready.
“I think we can go really far. The way that it’s going, this is one of the biggest years in which I believe we could go to state and get out of our regionals,” junior Aisha Al-Amin said.
The seeding for the postseason came out on Oct. 10, and the Vikings are currently seeded at number three overall. The teams ahead of them are two of the six losses that the team took during the regular season which, are Lincoln-Way East and Sandburg.
On Oct. 17, the long-awaited rematch between the number four ranked Eagles and the number two ranked Vikings took place. It was an electric home win for the Vikings that set them up for a conference championship against Lockport last Thursday.
The Porters and the Vikings played a game for the ages. The game went to three sets, where the Vikings beat the Porters in the third set 25-20 to take the win and the conference championship.
The postseason begins for H-F Tuesday. as they stay at home for regionals. It is uncertain who the Vikings will play, but they look to make a run for the books.