Hinckley-Big Rock sees 'dream come true'

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SOMONAUK -- Hinckley-Big Rock continued its winning ways Tuesday by besting Morgan Park Academy 25-16, 25-22 in a Class A Somonauk Sectional volleyball semifinal.

The sectional win was a first for the Royals, who had never advanced to this level of the postseason until this season.

"This is a dream come true," senior Sarah Weirich said.

Hinckley-Big Rock jumped out to an early lead in Game 1 after Cassie Kroner served up five straight points to get the game rolling.

Not to be outdone, Warriors setter Natalie Ingram fired four shots back to pace Morgan Park to a brief 8-7 lead.

That's when Royals senior Melissa Herrmann stepped up to the line and rallied for six consecutive points to put Hinckley-Big Rock up for good with a 15-8 lead.

"She is a great server," Royals coach Don Watson said. "She is one of the girls who I can say, 'OK, I want to serve such and such to so and so and she could do it.'"

Where Game 1 was all Hinckley-Big Rock, the second set was a back-and-forth defensive battle highlighted by bruise-inducing dives, perfectly executed spikes and soft taps when needed.

"We were all pumped up," Royals junior Jenna Thorp said. "We wanted this game."

With Hinckley-Big Rock up 17-16, Herrmann drilled five straight service points to put the Royals up 22-16. With the game on the line, Morgan Park's setter Anna Fitzgerald countered three of her own to pull the game within reach at 22-20.

"I have been confident, the last few weeks, that when the score was tight, they would pull through," admitted Watson.

After a short momentum swing, and down 24-22, the Warriors' Camryn Polk drilled a serve into the net to give the Royals the game and the match.

"We kept playing until we heard the whistle," Weirich said of her team's persistent effort.

Hinckley-Big Rock improves to 19-14-2, a school record in victories, and advances to play Dwight for the sectional championship at 7 p.m. Thursday. Girls Volleyball: Class 1A Somonauk Sectional