Downers Grove North Trojans defeat Glenbard West to secure first sectional title since 2018

Samantha Hancock recorded the match-winning kill Thursday night, capping a 25-18, 25-18, 18-25 victory over the top-seeded Glenbard West Hilltoppers in the Class 4A sectional final. The result gives Downers Grove North its first sectional title since 2018 and marks the program's sixth consecutive win against its league rivals.

The Trojans entered the final as the No. 3 seed with a 29-9 record. Glenbard West, holding a 32-7 mark, dominated the opening set with its height advantage. The Hilltoppers recorded eight blocks in that frame, with 6-foot-1 Farryn Burridge accounting for six of them. Downers Grove North committed six errors in the first set, falling behind 18-25.

Coach Mark Wasik attributed his team's turnaround to steady execution. He noted that the squad remained unwavering despite the early struggles. "Sometimes I just have to get out of the way because they just figure it out," Wasik said. "I'm in awe." Nicole Liu provided the offensive spark in the second set, recording six of her match-high 14 kills to help the Trojans take a 25-15 victory. The team finished that set on a 9-2 run, capped by back-to-back aces from Brynn Burkhardt.

The third set remained tight through the first 30 points, with neither team gaining more than a two-point lead. Ellery Cabaj broke the deadlock with a kill and an ace that bookended a 4-0 run, extending the Trojans' advantage to 20-14. Cabaj finished the match with seven kills, 11 assists, and nine digs. Sienna Shelton added seven kills, Madi Mastalarz contributed 16 assists, and Angelika Krob recorded 17 digs.

This victory represents the Trojans' third win over Glenbard West this season. Cabaj noted that the team had lost the sectional final in the two previous years to opponents they had beaten during the regular season. "We said we're not going to lose to that team," Cabaj said. "It was do or die, fight or flight." The win extends Downers Grove North's winning streak against the Hilltoppers to six matches, dating back to the 2024 season.

Wasik said his team adjusted its rotation strategy to counter Glenbard West's blocking. Liu confirmed that the Trojans changed up their front-row alignments and utilized crosscourt shots to find gaps in the defense. The Trojans advance to the supersectional round, where they will face Mother McAuley on Monday at Lyons. The Hilltoppers finished their season with a 32-7 record.

For team captain Nicole Liu, the victory marks the end of her high school career. She does not plan to play college volleyball and intends to study chemical engineering or neuroscience at the University of Illinois. Liu described the team's 16th win in its last 18 matches as a testament to their composure. "It means everything," Liu said. "We didn't take it for granted, a team we beat twice. We stayed strong, stayed composed and found a way at the end. We always do."

The final match also concluded the varsity career of Glenbard West setter Cara Herbert. A commit to Loyola-Maryland, Herbert played on the Hilltoppers' 2023 sectional finalist team as a freshman. She described the season as one where the team gave its all. "It's been a long career but definitely a good one," Herbert said.