Here's a look at how sectionals went for the remaining Journal-area girls volleyball teams:
Monday, Nov. 11 (Super-Sectional)
Huntley d. Fremd, 25-22, 25-16: Fremd (33-7) fell just short of their third state appearance after being knocked off by Huntley (32-8) in a battle of two No. 1 seeds.
Thursday, Nov. 7 (sectional finals)
Fremd d. Rolling Meadows, 20-25, 25-20, 25-17: No. 1 Fremd (33-6) picked up its 19th win in a row as they ended the breakout season by No. 3 Rolling Meadows (30-9) to claim the sectional title. Fremd advances to the super-sectionals against No. 1 Huntley at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at DeKalb High School. The winner advances to the state semifinals Friday, Nov. 15 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Fremd beat Rolling Meadows for the MSL championship (25-21, 25-10) Oct. 24 and the Vikings also toppled the Mustangs 25-13, 25-12 Tuesday, Sept. 10. In the exciting win, Fremd was led by Sasha Sallade (9 kills), Harper Neill (7 kills, 13 digs, 1 ace), Emily Karmazin (7 kills, 2 blocks), Victoria Belmonte (29 assists, 2 kills), Ashley Brim (8 digs, 2 aces) and Katelyn Chuang (6 digs). The Vikings top blocker was Natasa Radisic with 3 blocks.
New Trier d. Loyola Academy, 25-18, 25-23: No. 2 New Trier (27-6) got some revenge for earlier this season, but this time it meant more as the Trevians upset No. 1 Loyola (32-7) to end the Ramblers historic season in the sectional finals. The Ramblers, who set a school record for wins in a season, was led in the loss by Grace Kreutz (4 kills, 3 blocks), Ellen Gundlach (5 kills, 2 blocks), Addie Leadbetter (2 kills, 3 blocks), Audrina Harvey (4 kills), Julia York (9 assists), Brea Payne (7 assists), Mimi Gourley (2 kills) and Ava Swanson (11 digs). Since the start of 2018, Loyola is 8-5 against New Trier. If you go back to 2014, the series is tied 12-12. The teams are not in the same conference, but their close proximity and high level of play means they meet up a lot. They played each other 3 times in 2021, 2 times apiece in 2022, 2023 and 2024. During the regular season, Loyola defeated New Trier 25-17, 25-22.
Loyola Academy vs. New Trier Playoff History (over last 25 years):
Nov. 1, 2011 - Loyola Academy d. New Trier, 25-22, 25-20 (sectional semifinals)
Nov. 4, 2008 - New Trier d. Loyola Academy, 19-25, 25-13, 25-21 (sectional semifinals)
Loyola Academy d. Glenbrook North, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23: No. 1 Loyola Academy (32-6) was led by Grace Kreutz (21 kills), Ellen Gundlach (7 kills, 4 blocks), Addie Leadbetter (7 kills, 4 blocks), Audrina Harvey (3 kills, 3 blocks), Julia York (22 assists), Brea Payne (11 assists, 3 kills) and Ava Swanson (23 digs, 2 aces) in the sectional semifinals over No. 5 Glenbrook North. The 32 wins are a new school record for the Ramblers. It was also the 14th straight win over GBN for the Ramblers dating back to 2013. According to records by MaxPreps.com, Loyola has won 18 of the last 19 games against GBN. Loyola Academy advanced to the sectional finals at No. 2 New Trier.
New Trier d. Glenbrook South, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18: No. 2 New Trier (26-6) are no strangers to No. 3 Glenbrook South (29-7) and it showed as the two teams duked it out. According to MaxPreps, New Trier owns a 27-17 record against GBS since 2007. Glenbrook South is 89-17 over the last three seasons, but they were unable to get past rival New Trier. GBS was searching for its sixth 30-plus win season since 2000, but they fell one win short. GBS and New Trier went 2-2 against each other in 2024. New Trier also eliminated Glenbrook South from the playoffs last year, topping the Titans, 26-24, 24-26, 27-25.
Fremd d. Stevenson, 25-15, 25-20: No. 1 Fremd (32-6) pulled off a two-set win over No. 4 Stevenson (22-16, 6-1 NSC) in the sectional semifinals to keep the season alive, but it wasn't an easy game. Stevenson fought hard all season long, but the Patriots couldn't complete the upset attempt. Fremd was led by Akshara Jay (6 kills), Sasha Sallade (6 kills), Emily Karmazin (4 kills), Victoria Belmonte (16 assists, 6 digs), Ashley Brim (4 aces), Katelyn Chuang (4 digs, 2 aces), Ella Castelloni (5 digs) and Elly Jo Fay (3 kills). Leading the way for Stevenson were Ava Wysocki (7 kills, 5 digs), Abby Inman (6 kills, 2 aces, 5 digs), Audri Linnane (4 kills), Lilly Salej (2 kills, 1 blocks), Ryler Bondad (18 assists, 8 digs, 2 kills), Bethany Payawal (3 digs), Maya Patryarcha (1 kill, 1 block) and Lilly Zhou (1 ace, 5 digs, 1 assist).
Rolling Meadows d. Barrington, 25-19, 25-20: No. 3 Rolling Meadows (30-8) reached rarified air in program history, picking up their 30th win as they upset No. 2 Barrington (28-10) in a competitive sectional semifinal match. It is the first 30-plus win season since going 30-9 in 1994-95. The school record for wins in a season is 40, set in 1989-90 when they went 40-3.
Class 3A:
St. Francis d. St. Viator, 25-9, 25-17: No. 2 St. Francis (26-12) is 14-time state champions and aiming to win No. 15 this year, moving one step closer after winning the sectional semifinal battle over No. 3 St. Viator (27-10). The Lions were led by Avery Albritton (4 kills, 2 block assists, 2 digs), Erin Lynch (3 kills, 7 digs, 1 assist), Olivia Walberg (3 kills, 1 block assist), Lucy Drake (8 digs, 2 assists), Grace Geary (1 kill, 2 block assists, 2 digs), Mary Francl (1 kill), Paige Oberbroeckling (1 ace, 2 digs, 3 assists), Sydney Mittel (1 block assist), Madeleine Gauthier (2 digs) and Isabella Botero (6 assists, 2 digs). This season St. Viator was led by Lynch (267 kills, 203 digs, 48 aces, 24 blocks), Albritton (175 kills, 33 blocks), Francl (129 kills, 38 blocks), Mittel (102 kills, 33 aces, 55 blocks), Geary (73 kills, 53 blocks), Drake (275 digs, 47 aces), Botero (370 assists, 130 digs, 32 aces), Ava Sclafini (30 aces, 43 digs), Oberbroeckling (267 assists, 23 aces, 77 digs) and Gauthier (76 digs). St. Viator graduates Victoria Holda, Gauthier, Catherine Dejlitko, Vicki Maciolek, Botero, Drake, Mittel, Sclafini and Oberbroeckling from this stellar team. Lynch will be back next season to wrap up her stellar career that has totalled 657 kills, 405 digs, 105 aces, 70 blocks and 57 assists through three seasons.