Big fifth set completes DuPage rally to Region 4 title
GLEN ELLYN, ILL. & UNIVERSITY CENTER, MICH. - The College of DuPage had to put in some extra work to regain their spot atop the Region 4 Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament; however, the top-seeded Chaparrals rallied for a 3-2 win over #2-seeded Joliet Junior College on October 30. The Wolves led two-sets-to-none before COD turned the match around to claim their second title in the last three years. Tolis Koskinaris was awarded the Region 4 Coach of the Year.
The opening two sets were extremely competitive, with JJC eeking out wins of 25-23 and 25-22. With their season on the line, DuPage pulled together to win the next three sets by scores of 25-16, 25-14, and 15-2. Skylar Huffman led all players with 16 kills, to go along with 19 digs and three aces. Josephine Becker posted 14 kills, while Alexandra Hornbogen and Christina Savaglio added 11 and ten kills, respectively. Ava Diaz racked up 45 assists and 14 digs. Francesca Brandonisio finished with 28 digs and four aces. (Recap: DuPage)
The victory propelled the College of DuPage into the NJCAA Great Lakes District Championship against Region 12 winner Delta College (16-13) on November 3. The Chaparrals battled their way to a 3-0 sweep with scores of 25-23, 25-20, 25-23. Josephine Becker paced the attack with 11 kills and a .206 attack percentage. Ava Diaz registered 26 assists and 12 digs. Skylar Huffman had seven kills, 13 digs, and five aces. Francesca Brandonisio tallied 29 digs and four aces. (Recap: DuPage)
The College of DuPage (21-14) earned an automatic berth to the 2024 NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from November 14-16. It will mark their third consecutive appearance at the national tournament, a streak that began with a run to the national title in 2022. The Chaparrals were awarded the #11 seed and will begin the tournament with a first round match against #6-seed - and #4-ranked in the NJCAA Division III Poll - Butler County Community College (22-1) at 9:00am on Thursday, November 14.
That magic feeling as @DuPageVball finds out its seeding for @NJCAAVolleyball D3 tourney! The Chaps are taking on butler county in the opening round Nov. 14 pic.twitter.com/SuQqCKPU9m
— CODAthletics (@AthleticsCod) November 5, 2024
(Images courtesy of College of DuPage Athletics)
2024 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Tolis Koskinaris - College of DuPage