Football: Ridgewood bounced from playoffs

Updated: November 8, 2011 7:37PM

Heading into the postseason, the Ridgewood girls volleyball team hoped to have a long run in the Class 3A state playoffs. Since the Rebels were set to host sectionals, if they could win a regional title, they would have home-court advantage and an easier road to State.

“It’s going to be a tough road,” said head coach Dave Wlodarczyk before regional play began. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

“These are the elimination round games. If we don’t win, we hand in our jerseys, but I think we have a place to go. I think we have a chance to advance (to Sectionals) for the first time in a long time.”

However, it was not to be.

In the first round of the Wauconda Regional, No. 5-seeded Lakes put an end to the No. 10-seeded Rebels season by prevailing 25-16, 25-18 on Oct. 25.

Senior Dani Rzewnicki led the Rebels in her final match at Ridgewood with 10 assists, eight digs, two aces and two blocks. Senior Marlena Warjas added 12 digs. Meg Alliaj and Mallory McCormack each chipped in 11 digs in their final matches.

The Rebels finished the season with an overall record of 17-15 and finished in fifth place in Metro Suburban Conference play at 4-8. In falling to Lakes, the Rebels ended the season on a sour note, having lost its final five games. But despite that streak, the Rebels finished the season one win shy of tying a school record for wins in a season. They also had a definite home-court advantage this season, finishing 10-4 in Norridge.

After beating the Rebels in the regional, Lakes took on No. 2 seed Wauconda and won in three sets, thus giving them the regional title, a goal Ridgewood coach Wlodarczyk aims for every season.

But there is reason for the Rebels to be optimistic about next year. Looking ahead to the 2012 season, the Rebels will have six seniors on the roster including Sladana Nikevic, Angelina Kadzielawa, Klaudia Ignacik, Amanda Rivera, Olena Melnyk, and Anwina Choktumnumnukit.

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