The volleyball team ended its 2023 season with an 18-13 record after competing in the IHSA sectional semifinals at Southland College Prep on Oct. 30, where Kankakee’s Bishop McNamara High School beat the Maroons 2-0.
Previously, on Oct. 26, the team won the IHSA regional finals 2-0 against Woodlawn High at CICS Longwood High School.
During the season, the team won the regional championship, placed third in the Lake Park tournament and raised almost $3,000 for breast cancer charity at its Dig Pink event.
Ella Cohen-Richie, one of the three senior captains, noticed how the team bonded throughout the year.
“Considering we lost quite a few veteran seniors last year, I think everyone really came together in a very positive and good way,” Ella said.
The team had to work together to build a new community and gained three new ninth graders.
“It took a little bit of time building the team chemistry,” Ella said. “But definitely, by the end, I think we did a really good job.”
Despite being a new team member, ninth grader Zora Peek-Taylor felt very included in the team environment.
“The coaches did a really good job in having everyone be heard,” Zora said. “And I think the team members also did a really good job at making everyone feel welcome.”
