Repeat bid ends early for Harper College, while Sauk Valley, Carl Sandburg bow out early
For just the second time in the last six year, Region IV will not be able to claim a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national champion. Defending Division III champion Harper College saw its repeat bid end in the 2017 title match, while Division II representatives Sauk Valley Community College and Carl Sandburg College were both eliminated in advance of the semifinals.
Harper College, which one its first-ever national volleyball championship with a 43-1 record, was once again the top-seeded team heading into the 2017 DIII National Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota, on November 10 & 11. The #1 Hawks opened with a sweep (25-20, 25-13, 25-22) of #8 Queensborough (NY) Community College in the quarterfinals, and followed with 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 18-25, 25-23) defeat of #4 Columbus State (OH) Community College to reach a second consecutive championship match. The magical run ended in a four-set loss (25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17) against #2 Eastfield (TX) College, a first time volleyball national champ. Harper College finished with a 37-6 record, with sophomores Sarah Udoni, Ariana Chelini, and Ellie Burzlaff being named to the all-tournament team.
At the Division II National Tournament in Charleston, West Virginia, Sauk Valley Community College (District A) and Carl Sandburg College (District B) were both denied in their bids for a first-ever national volleyball crown by the same opponent. The #5 Skyhawks reached the quarterfinals after a five-set (25-21, 24-26, 24-26, 25-22, 15-13) thriller over #12 Northeast (NE) Community College in the opening round before losing in four (22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 27-25) to #4 Lincoln Land (IL) Community College. Sauk Valley posted a 33-11 record overall. Lincoln Land also ended fellow Region IV champion Carl Sandburg College, beating the #13 Chargers in the tournament opener in straight sets (25-18, 25-13, 25-15). Carl Sandburg wrapped up the year at 25-16. Sauk Valley freshman Sommer Rhea was named to the all-tournament team.
For more information on the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournaments: Division II | Division III