After the season ended in defeat Monday night for Jacobs, senior setter Rachel Kaczorowski made sure the tears were kept to a minimum.
Considering the Golden Eagles’ accomplishments, it’s easy to see why, and Kaczorowski likewise remained positive while addressing her teammates.
“I was just telling them I love them so much and I’m so proud of them,” Kaczorowski said. “It stinks so bad to lose. But there’s nothing in the world I would have traded.
“It’s so hard to keep our heads up, but we have to remember those great wins because we played great. We worked hard and we’re really upset we lost, but we are a great program. That’s why we made it here.”
Here was the Class 4A Grant Sectional semifinal against top-seeded Rockton Hononegah. The 19-25, 25-22, 25-19 loss was the Golden Eagles’ first sectional appearance since 2008.
Jacobs (25-11) actually started strong Monday, winning the first game and taking an 8-2 lead to start Game 2.
“It was our passing and keeping them out of system as well that was huge,” Jacobs coach Michael Depa said. “Our serves were very aggressive and they weren’t able to run the middle.
“When they got that middle involved, we were giving away too many free balls, and that is not a good key to success.”
Hononegah (30-7) trailed 12-6 before producing eight kills and a block for a 9-1 burst to flip the match. Jacobs’ only point came on an error.
“Give them credit, they fought,” Depa said. “They’re the one seed for a reason. They’re a good team. We knew they weren’t going to roll over. That’s what we talked about between the first set and the second set.
“They had no quit. It was a great game. They fought. We fought. Things didn’t go our way.”
Jacobs led 14-12 in Game 3 before four straight errors gave Hononegah the lead. A 6-1 spurt that featured three kills, two aces and a block gave Hononegah a 22-18 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
“They picked it up,” Kaczorowski said. “We came out and fought hard. We’re definitely disappointed with the loss because we played so well and we’ve just continuously been improving.
“I think it was the pressure, some nerves, because we haven’t been in sectionals in a long, long time.”
Kaczorowski finished with 18 assists, five kills and five digs. Ireland Van Stone led Jacobs with seven kills and four aces. Sara Wasner added five kills.
After watching Kaczorowski talk to the team after the match, Depa expressed what she meant to the program.
“She’s our vocal leader,” Depa said. “She keeps everyone together. She loves that team. She always tries to bring them up, making sure everyone is playing at their best and giving it their best.”
Kaczorowski is proud of the legacy she and the other five seniors left behind after winning a regional for the first time in 13 years.
“We improved since day one in the gym, not just in games, but every single practice,” Kaczorowski said. “We’ve seen the team grow together. I am so proud of these girls. Our heads are high.”
Huntley 25-25, St. Charles East 17-15: Third-seeded Huntley took care of the Saints (20-18) in the other semifinal.
“We just didn’t have it,” St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull said. “We couldn’t find a rhythm. I feel bad for the seniors because we went from really bad to getting a whole lot better, winning a regional. I’m real proud of them.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
