Nov. 14--NORMAL, Ill. -- Thirty-win seasons have become the standard for Glenbard West girls volleyball.
State championships might be the Hilltoppers' new measuring stick.
Glenbard West defeated Normal Community 25-20, 25-23 in a Class 4A semifinal Friday to advance to its third championship match in team history after a 32-year absence.
The Hilltoppers (36-5) topped 30 wins for the fifth straight season this year and took an extra step by advancing to state for the first time since three straight trips in 1981-83. They won it all in '83 and hope to add another first-place trophy Saturday. Glenbard West will play St. Francis (38-3) in the 4A final at 8:55 p.m.
"This is something that is new to us, but it's been a big dream (season)," Glenbard West coach Pete Mastandrea said. "It's been a process that has not been easy. At times, we've stubbed our toes"
The powerful attack duo of Division I talents Natalie Schilling (Duke) and Quiana Ware (Western Michigan) helped neutralize Normal's hometown advantage. Schilling, a 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter, notched a match-high 11 kills and added 10 digs. Ware had five kills and seven digs.
"I think our team does a good job of using people rooting against us to fuel our fire," said Schilling, who has 494 kills this season. "We play our best when we are the underdogs. We used that to our advantage."
The Hilltoppers broke open a close first game with 10 straight points to turn an 11-9 deficit into a 19-11 lead. Schilling had two key kills in the rally, while the Ironmen (30-10) made seven errors in Glenbard West's match-turning run.
"We had too many errors and were not as consistent as we should've been," Normal coach Christine Konopasek said.
Late in Game 2, Schilling had three kills in a crucial swing to hand the Hilltoppers a 20-19 lead. The Ironmen's two late service errors helped ensure they'd fall short of their first title match.
The Hilltoppers finished with 28 kills and eight hitting errors, while Normal had 17 errors and 30 kills. Kate Wagner sparked the Hilltoppers with 25 assists and 11 digs.
"I thought we played excellent defense," Mastandrea said, "and won three rallies because of it. That really helped us."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the match: Natalie Schilling, Glenbard West, 11 kills, 10 digs.
Key performers: Glenbard West -- Quiana Ware, 5 kills, 7 digs; Kate Wagner, 25 assists, 11 digs. Normal -- MaKenna Barnhart, 9 kills, 6 digs; Micki Quakenbush, 7 kills, 13 digs.
Saturday's Class 4A schedule
Third place, Cary-Grove (35-6) vs. Normal (30-10), 7:25 p.m.
Championship, St. Francis (38-3) vs. Glenbard West (36-5), 8:55 p.m.
