Hickory Creek Middle School Girls' Volleyball Team wins Sectionals

The Hickory Creek Middle School eighth grade girls’ volleyball team won the Sectional Championship on March 13 with a final score of 25-22 in the winning game. Prior to that, they won the Des Plaines Valley Conference Championship and the Regional Championship. The Sectional win is the first time ever that Hickory Creek has advanced past Regionals.

The team had an unbelievable season as their record is currently 23-0. Throughout the entire season they have only gone to three games with one team, Summit Hill Junior High School. Hickory Creek won the Conference Championship against Summit Hill which hasn’t been done since 2004, won the Regional Championship against Summit Hill for the first time in Hickory Creek’s school history and the Sectional Championship against Homer Glen for the first time in school history.

Many of the girls played on the seventh grade team last year under Coach Ryan Talaga but fell short in the Conference and Regional Championships to Homer Glen. Talaga stated, “I’ve been given a second chance with this team as I assumed the 8th grade coaching job and I am taking advantage of every practice, game and tournament. I want to make sure that when the season is over, I can say I gave it my all as a coach.”

Team members include Zani Anderson, Kate Arndt, Amanda Bauer, Abbie Curtin, Cierra Gardner, Grace Hagemaster, Taylor Hochman, Lauren Knollenberg, Kayla McLaughlin, Julia Owczarzak, Maddie Pomykalski, Ava Porada and Josie Poynton.

Talaga continued, “This group of girls, comprised of 11 eighth graders and two seventh graders is one of the most talented teams I’ve ever coached. The fans have been awesome this year. Towards the end of the season and into post play, we have created quite a following. The staff and students have been great about coming to the games and cheering us on.”

The team will play in the State Tournament on March 18 in Mt. Zion, Illinois. If they win, they will play for the State Championship on March 21. Good luck Hickory Creek Tigers!