Joliet West volleyball reaches state finals after rallying past Lockport
The Tigers dropped the first set but closed out a three-set victory to secure the program's first appearance in the IHSA Class 4A State Finals.
By Zoe Harrison ·
Joliet West girls volleyball entered Monday's Class 4A Rich Township Supersectional final facing a familiar problem: a slow start that threatened to derail their season. The Tigers trailed Lockport 16-25 in the opening set after the Porters scored the first seven points of the match. Despite the early deficit, Joliet West adjusted in the middle and final sets to claim a 16-25, 25-16, 25-22 victory. This win sends the program to the IHSA Class 4A State Finals for the first time in its history.
The outcome marks a dramatic turnaround for a team that has relied on late-game momentum throughout the postseason. Four days prior, the Tigers overcame a similar deficit to defeat Belleville East for the sectional title. On Monday, Lockport executed its scouting report effectively in the opening frame. Senior Kyla Mitchell blocked a ball for the second point, and Natalie Bochantin served an ace. Hutsyn Timosciek followed with three consecutive kills, while a Joliet West hitting error extended the Porters' lead. Lockport coach Nicholas Mraz noted that his team kept the Tigers on their heels and acted as the aggressor.
Joliet West coach Chris Lincoln said his players could have withdrawn after the first set but stayed true to their style. "I'm so proud of them," Lincoln said. "That first set, they could have easily gotten scared and withdrawn, but they stayed true to themselves and followed through, and I'm so proud to be coaching them." The Tigers regained control in the second set, winning six of the first seven rallies. Senior setter Julia Adams closed the set with a second-hit kill that found the floor, forcing a deciding third set.
The third set remained tied at 12-12 before Joliet West mounted a four-point run. Lexie Grevengoed initiated the surge with one of her 12 kills for the night. This was followed by three consecutive stuff blocks. Adams recorded one block, while Penny Wagner recorded two. These defensive plays shifted the momentum decisively toward the Tigers. Lockport attempted to close the gap, with Mitchell recording two blocks to bring the score to 23-22. However, the Porters could not find the final point.
Na'Riah Autman recorded a kill for the penultimate point of the match. Giselle Harper ended the game with a flick kill to the back corner. The final score was 25-22. Cartwright, a junior outside hitter, finished with eight kills, two blocks, and seven digs. Grevengoed added two aces to her 12 kills. Autman contributed 10 kills and six digs. Libero Lily Swan recorded 12 digs. Adams orchestrated the attack with 31 assists. Adams said the team's recent history of late wins stems from nerves. "We're so anxious, so nervous, because the last time we'd been in this moment was 2023," Adams said.
Lockport's season ends with a 34-6 record. The Porters have won regional and sectional championships for the third consecutive year. Timosciek led the team with 17 kills. Quinn Higham recorded 10 kills. Mitchell finished with seven kills, two aces, and three blocks. Emma Consigny recorded 10 digs, and Bochantin posted 22 assists. Mraz said eight of his players were sophomores when they played in state last year. "For them to have three sectional titles under their belt as a public school doing things the right way .. not every team can say that," Mraz said.
Joliet West will begin the state tournament in Friday's late semifinal. The match against Libertyville is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Mother McCauley and Oak Park-River Forest will complete the Class 4A field. The final will take place on the floor of CEFCU Arena.
