Heading into the playoffs, the women’s volleyball team had a overall record of 15-20, and a conference record of 4-6, which made them tied for third in conference. The Titans have been able to pull-off three wins thus far in the playoffs, which will take them to the IHSA Sectional Finals.

According to head coach Katie Hoover, the team has played well, just not well enough. Their weakness is letting the other team get on long scoring runs. But the Titans have had a strong spread of the ball, according to Hoover.

“We had some really impressive matches even at the beginning of the season,” Hoover said. “But we have also had some matches where we didn’t compete to our level and we gave up big strings of points.”

Hoover believes the team’s best game was a 25-23, 23-25, 25-15 win against Loyola Academy where four different hitters had four or more kills.

According to Hoover, the variety of hitters getting opportunities has been part of every game, not just the Loyola game.

“We are really good at balancing our attacks; we have lots of options,” Hoover said. “Our setter, Carson Weaver, is very confident setting the outside middle and right side hitters.”

Senior captain Abby Watkins believes the team has been good at having a variety of players touch the ball all season. She says the game that the team exemplified this ability most was against York.

“Every single time we talk about what we want to do or what we need to do we use the York game as an example,” Watkins said. “We need to be that team that played York.”

York is the number two team in State behind Quincy, and according to senior Kelsey Eenigenburg, the York game shows that they can play with strong teams, and even beat them.

Hoover is happy with the team’s performance against these teams and, although it is tough to win the match against them, the girls have done well by playing them close.

“There is no doubt that our schedule is strong,” Hoover said. “That has been the toughest obstacle to overcome and we have played those strong teams very close.”

The Titans have faced tough competition in playing teams like York, Marist and Lyons all of whom have been in the top ten State rankings at one point this season.

Going into the playoffs, Hoover believed she had to settle on one starting lineup, to help the team become more focused and confident.

The Titans started the playoffs by beating Lane Tech, Maine South and Evanston which has led them to the IHSA Sectional Final Nov. 3.

The Sectional Final took place after The Oracle was sent to the press.