Sports
Volleyball: Hornets Looking to Repeat 2010 Playoff Success
The veteran Hornets' recent successes in tournaments and a favorable regional draw make another deep playoff run likely.
The Hornets girls volleyball team is looking to pick up where it left off in 2010.
Last year, they fell to Edwardsville in the supersectionals. The Hornets achieved some measure of revenge on Oct. 8 after losing their opening round match to Joliet Catholic. The Hornets bested Edwardsville in the fifth place game in straight sets at the Mizuno Cup at St. Charles East.
The Hornets are a veteran team this time around, seasoned by their experiences during their remarkable run last year when they caught fire and blitzed their way through the playoff field. In the regionals they took down Oswego East and in the sectionals they bested rival and perennial power Benet in a three-game marathon.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The 2011 Hornets have had their share of successes. Led by seniors Melissa Nava, Trina Trindall, Maura O’Donnell and juniors Jessica Brezwyn and Sharon Anderson, they have handled themselves nicely in their three major tournaments to date.
In the Wheaton Classic on September 17, they finished second in a formidable eight-team tournament. They fell to Benet in straight sets in the title game.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A week later, the Hornets participated in the Warrior Blast at Waubonsie Valley. The Hornets were bested by cross-conference foe Downers Grove North in their opening game. The Hornets rallied with two convincing wins over Lincoln-Way North and Neuqua Valley to finish fifth in a deep tournament.
The Hornets bested Downers Grove North Oct. 13, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22. It's a big statement win going into the postseason.
The team has one more key match in the regular season before regionals: a road match against Hinsdale Central on Thursday. Both teams are in the Whitney Young sectional pairing. The Trojans are seeded second and the Red Devils are seeded fifth. The Hornets are the 3-seed.
The Hornets will play in the Reavis regional on Tuesday, Oct. 25 against the winner of Reavis and Kenwood. They are a decent bet to win the regional, but Hinsdale Central or St. Ignatius from the St. Ignatius regional will be their likely opponent and past them is a potential third match with Downers North or top-seeded Lyons Township.
A veritable minefield, but there is a worthwhile prize if the Hornets win out:
Home court advantage in the super-sectionals on Nov. 5, which are scheduled to be played at Hinsdale South.
