By Jack McCarthy
Special to the Tribune
NORMAL, Ill. -- Chicago Christian has been in plenty of tough spots against challenging foes throughout this volleyball season.
So the Knights didn't panic today when they found themselves down a game against Harvard in the Class 2A state semifinals at Redbird Arena.
The experience of playing from behind, plus some key defensive adjustments, made all the difference as Chicago Christian beat Harvard 25-27, 25-13, 25-16 to advance to Saturday's Class 2A title game against defending champion Freeburg at 12:45 p.m.
Special to the Tribune
NORMAL, Ill. -- Chicago Christian has been in plenty of tough spots against challenging foes throughout this volleyball season.
So the Knights didn't panic today when they found themselves down a game against Harvard in the Class 2A state semifinals at Redbird Arena.
The experience of playing from behind, plus some key defensive adjustments, made all the difference as Chicago Christian beat Harvard 25-27, 25-13, 25-16 to advance to Saturday's Class 2A title game against defending champion Freeburg at 12:45 p.m.
"We didn't come down here with the greatest record (28-10), but it's what got us here," senior outside Kirsten Harms said.
The Knights' schedule included the likes of St. Francis, Immaculate Conception, Marist and others who helped the Private School League entry reach the season's ultimate game.
Harvard (27-13) was making its first appearance since 2006 and had the upper hand with a Game One victory partly fueled by nine kills by senior outside Ashleigh Fisher.
But the Knights made defensive adjustments to limit Fisher in Games 2 and 3, although she still closed with a game-high 21 kills.
"In the first game I had a lot of seam shots and more open areas to hit the ball in," Fisher said. "Their adjustments in the second game definitely gave us a run for our money. It was definitely intense."
The Knights made quick work of the Hornets in Game 2, opening with a 7-3 advantage and building from there. Game 3 was tighter until the midpoint, when Chicago Christian broke away from a 11-10 advantage with a 8-2 surge and built a substantial 19-12 lead.
Joining Fisher in double figures for the Hornets was junior outside Brittany Finke (10 kills). Harms led the Knights with 13 kills while junior outside Stacey Kamp added nine.
Chicago Christian's only other state appearance came in 2007 -- a fourth-place finish. In addition to Harvard's third in 2006, the Hornets also qualified, but did not place in 2005 Class A tourney.
The Hornets meet Carlinville for third place at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.
The Knights' schedule included the likes of St. Francis, Immaculate Conception, Marist and others who helped the Private School League entry reach the season's ultimate game.
Harvard (27-13) was making its first appearance since 2006 and had the upper hand with a Game One victory partly fueled by nine kills by senior outside Ashleigh Fisher.
But the Knights made defensive adjustments to limit Fisher in Games 2 and 3, although she still closed with a game-high 21 kills.
"In the first game I had a lot of seam shots and more open areas to hit the ball in," Fisher said. "Their adjustments in the second game definitely gave us a run for our money. It was definitely intense."
The Knights made quick work of the Hornets in Game 2, opening with a 7-3 advantage and building from there. Game 3 was tighter until the midpoint, when Chicago Christian broke away from a 11-10 advantage with a 8-2 surge and built a substantial 19-12 lead.
Joining Fisher in double figures for the Hornets was junior outside Brittany Finke (10 kills). Harms led the Knights with 13 kills while junior outside Stacey Kamp added nine.
Chicago Christian's only other state appearance came in 2007 -- a fourth-place finish. In addition to Harvard's third in 2006, the Hornets also qualified, but did not place in 2005 Class A tourney.
The Hornets meet Carlinville for third place at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.
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