Glenbard West's bid for a share of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division volleyball title ended Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Oak Park.
Oak Park-River Forest beat the Hilltoppers 25-20, 25-17, claiming a share of the conference crown with Lyons Township, first reported by Shaw Local's Melvin Tate. Glenbard West (28-6, 4-2 WSC Silver) finished third, one game back.
The loss was the second to OPRF in four days. The Huskies also beat Glenbard West in three sets in the third-place match at the Glenbard East AutumnFest on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Tuesday's rematch followed a similar script. Glenbard West jumped to a 10-4 lead in the first set and still led 16-13 before OPRF (21-8, 5-1) went on a 7-0 run to seize control. In the second set, the Huskies broke a 7-7 tie with a 9-4 spurt and pulled away for good.
Passing cost the Hilltoppers.
"Our ball control wasn't at their level and that's why we lost," coach Dan Scott told Shaw Local. "We matched up well on the net, but unfortunately we just didn't pass well enough."
Scott credited OPRF's senior-heavy lineup, saying the older roster's composure in big moments wore his younger team down over time. The match doubled as OPRF's senior night.
Senior outside hitter Ella Rowe led Glenbard West with six kills. Senior setter Cara Herbert, a Loyola Maryland recruit, added 13 assists. Sophomore libero Grace Markey recorded 13 digs, and senior middle blocker Farryn Burridge contributed two aces.
The conference finish does not change the Hilltoppers' postseason path. Scott said Glenbard West holds the No. 1 seed in its Class 4A sectional, which the school hosts in Glen Ellyn.
The team's first order of business is a home match against Stevenson on Friday, Oct. 23. Scott called it a chance to build momentum before the playoff bracket opens.
"We have a nice test on Friday against Stevenson," Scott told Shaw Local. "That'll be a chance for us to try and rebound at home and hopefully use some momentum going into the playoffs."
