On Oct 7, the Palatine High School varsity girls volleyball team swept the Schaumburg Saxons in two sets, marking their sixth consecutive win of the season.
The girls have been enjoying their high win streak and impressive 21-4 record, but they are also working hard to continually improve going into the last few weeks of the season.
“I think we’re looking forward to seeing teams that we have not yet seen before,” assistant coach Joyce Richardson said. “You know in conference, you play the same opponent twice, but also we’re looking forward to getting better and better, and that seems to be the trend right now, is that we just keep improving our skills.”
The first time the Pirates played the Saxons in the season, they won 2-1, so this clean win demonstrates some of the progress that they are continually making as a team.
Within the MSL, Palatine is currently undefeated with a record of 8-0, making them the favorites to win the conference on Oct 23.
“Every day, the benchmarks are to have fun and to get better while doing it,” Richardson said.
With 8 rostered seniors on the varsity team, there is no shortage of leadership, and some of the girls have multiple years of experience at the varsity level. Because of this, many of the upperclassmen have seen the team progress to new levels. In 2023 they finished in 11th place in the conference before moving up to 5th place last year.
“I’m very proud of the growth our team has made this season in all aspects, mentally and physically,” senior middle blocker Delila Kessler said. “I’m so excited for the post season and what is to come.”
If the Pirates advance beyond the regional games, sectionals and state will be held the weeks of Nov 3 and Nov 10.
We haven’t played Barrington (the Pirates’ opponents in the conference finals) this year, but I have confidence that with enough practice and film we could beat any team,” senior outside hitter Zoe Johnson said. “We have high hopes for regionals and want to go as far as possible in the post season.
The team takes on the Conant Cougars this Tuesday at Palatine High School for Senior Night and their second-to-last in conference match before the conference finals.
