Northlake Christian Tops Dunham in Straight Sets to Win Second-Consecutive DIV Volleyball Title

by: Travis Connelley // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

LAFAYETTE — Over the past 21 years, the Division IV State Volleyball Championship has made a home on the North Shore 10 times. Following Saturday’s Championship Match between No. 3 Northlake Christian and No. 8 Dunham, that number became 11 as the Wolverines defeated the Tigers 27-25, 25-17, 25-9 to win their second-consecutive state title. 

“I would say this week, we took it one game at a time,” said Northlake head coach Lindsey Donovan. “We started looking at Dunham yesterday just watching film. We sat together and talked it through a little bit but the biggest thing was that the girls stayed loose.” 

Northlake grabbed the momentum early on, racing out to a 5-2 lead which eventually ballooned to an 11-6 advantage. But the Tigers quickly got into a rhythm and narrowed the gap, scoring six consecutive points to take a 12-11 lead. 

Both teams went toe-to-toe over the next several minutes of play. 

Trailing 25-24, the Wolverines claimed the first set after scoring the next three points, winning 27-25. 

With the momentum on its side, Northlake got off to another strong start in the second set, taking a 9-2 lead. Later in the set, the Wolverines went on a rally scoring five straight before claiming the second set. 

Mentally, Northlake remained focused and showed a sense of comfort, and it showed in their play. The Wolverines raced out to a 9-2 lead in the third set as Khloe Duncan and Abigail Bailey registered a pair of kills apiece during the run. 

Bailey added that team camaraderie was key to her team’s success. 

“I think that one of the big things is that we pick each other up and motivate each other,” said Bailey who was also recognized as the Most Outstanding Player in the championship match. 

After the Tigers began to get their footing in an effort to mount a comeback, their push was halted with a 6-0 rally by the Wolverines who began to sense another state championship.

A Bailey ace and a kill from Duncan highlighted a 7-1 run which helped Northlake claim the match and the state championship. 

Bailey led the Wolverines with 14 kills and five blocks. Abigail Willie had six aces and 17 assists. 

After the match, Dunham head coach Meagan Herrington commented on her team’s strong run to the state championship as an 8-seed. 

“We are a really scrappy team,” she said. “We are very, very, very young with six sophomores, two juniors and one senior.” 

Katherine McDonald led the Tigers with eight kills, four blocks, and 19 assists.