After a nine-day layoff, it would not have been surprising if Waubonsee Community College's volleyball team had shown some signs of rust. Instead the Chiefs looked like they were firing on all cylinders as they swept three straight games from Highland Community College to close out the regular season. After a brief pre-game ceremony recognizing their sophomores playing in their final home match, Waubonsee (21-15) downed the visiting Cougars 25-14, 25-9 and 25-18.
In the first game Waubonsee led 7-4 before taking seven of the next eight points to grab a commanding 14-5 lead. The Cougars (10-14) regrouped and clawed their way back to within three points at 17-14. The Chiefs then reeled off eight straight points to win the game, capped off by an ace by Sydney Fedderly for the game-clinching point.
Waubonsee was in complete control throughout the second game, registering 10 of the first 13 points. Despite a pair of timeouts by Highland in an attempt to stop the Chiefs' momentum, the home team tallied 10 of the next 12 points to take a comfortable 20-5 lead. A couple minutes later coach Steve Kish's crew secured game two by a 25-9 score.
At the outset of game three Waubonsee kept on the attack, jumping out to a 12-5 lead on a power kill by Anna Friedlund. Highland responded with a flurry of their own as they pulled to within 22-17. However, that was as close as they would get. A resounding kill from the left side by Fedderly set up match point at 24-17. A minute later Waubonsee finished off the match with a 25-18 win.
Fedderly ended the evening with nine kills, three aces and a dozen digs. Sydni Coultrip chipped in with six kills and 14 assists. Joshlyn Jefferson tallied 14 assists, nine digs and five kills. Friedlund booked four aces, Riane Tomsa added nine digs and a pair of aces, and Allie Cross recorded seven digs. Gabrielle Dlabal and Alyssa Gittins each were credited with three solo blocks.
Waubonsee will find out what seed they will be and who their first opponent will be for the upcoming Region IV Division II Tournament this coming Sunday, November 3. The tournament begins on Saturday, November 9 with quarterfinal action, while the semi-finals and championship rounds will be the following day. All the matches will be played at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. For more information, go on-line to www.region4sports.com or www.GoChiefs.com beginning on Tuesday, November 5.