McHenry, Waubonsee survive to win Region IV DII Championships
GRAYSLAKE, ILL. - A pair of teams updated their championship droughts by claiming their halves of the Region IV Division II Women's Volleyball Championships on Sunday at the College of Lake County. Waubonsee Community College earned their second Region IV title with a 3-1 victory over Sauk Valley Community College in the District A bracket, while McHenry County College needed just three sets to get past defending champion Carl Sandburg College in the District B bracket. (The semifinalists from the District A & B brackets were re-seeded for the championship matches. The two winners will earn automatic bids to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.)
The #1-seeded Chiefs' 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 29-27 decision over the #4-seeded Skyhawks marks the first title since 2014 and earned Steve Kish the Region IV Coach of the Year award. They also picked up postseason wins over Triton College (25-11, 25-16, 25-13) and Black Hawk College (25-23, 23-25, 25-8, 25-12). Four players registered double-digit kills in the title match for Waubonsee, led by freshman outside hitter/rightside Sydney Fedderly with 16. She also had 17 digs for a double-double, which was matched by sophomore rightside Sydni Coultrip's ten kills and 14 digs. First year Rebecca Robinson had a team-high 33 assists and four aces. The Chiefs are 24-15, while the Skyhawks finished 28-15.
The #3-seeded Scots championship win saw set scores of 25-15, 25-15, 25-15 against the #2-seeded Chargers to hoist the trophy for the first time since 2016. By leading his squad to the title, Kyle McCall was named Region IV Coach of the Year. Sophomore outside hitter Nina Hood was dominant with 15 kills on a .379 attack percentage and 6.5 blocks. Paige Hulata, a first year outside hitter, posted ten kills. Setter Lilli Leggett, a freshman, racked up 40 assists, and libero Kimmy Hammond, a sophomore, tallied 25 digs. The Scots opened the postseason with a sweep of Morton College (25-18, 25-13, 26-24) and then followed by taking down Bryant & Stratton College in four sets (18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 26-24). McHenry County College now boasts a 29-15 record and ended Carl Sandburg College's season with a 33-12 mark.
McHenry County College and Waubonsee Community College will both compete at the 2019 NJCAA Division II Volleyball Championships in Charleston, West Virginia, from November 21-23. The Scots were awarded the #11 seed and will play an opening round match on Thursday, November 21 at 8:00 a.m. against #6 Gulf Coast State College (FL), who owns a 21-6 record. The Chiefs are the #13 seed and will see #4 Fort Scott Community College (KS), who is 30-4, on November 21 at 2:00 p.m.
2019 Region IV Division II All-Tournament Team
District A
Lilli Leggett- McHenry County College
Nina Hood – McHenry County College
Peyton Bowman- Carl Sandburg College
Cora Vyhnak – Carl Sandburg College
Sydi Coultrip- Waubonsee Community College
Gaby Diabal- Waubonsee Community College
Aleah Wright- Sauk Valley Community College
Coach of the Year
Steve Kish - Waubonsee Community College
District B
Gaby Lopez – Bryant & Stratton College
Mackenzie Mainka – Bryant & Stratton College
Sierra Gergorinc- Black Hawk College
Abbi Fletcher – Moraine Valley Community College
Noell Knezz Moraine Valley Community College
Courtney Noyes- College of Lake County
Joi Easterling- Oakton Community College
Coach of the Year
Kyle McCall - McHenry County College
Championship Bracket
District A Bracket
District B Bracket