QND dominates Riverdale, gets rematch with Macomb in sectional final

KNOXVILLE, Ill. — This was more like it.

After being forced to sweat out three sets in last week’s regional championship game against Illini West, the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team was dominant in Monday’s Class 2A sectional semifinal. The Raiders crushed Port Byron Riverdale 25-13, 25-13 at Knoxville High School.

QND (31-4), ranked No. 8 in the MaxPreps Class 2A state poll, advances to Wednesday’s sectional final at Knoxville against Macomb, which defeated Princeton 21-25, 25-14, 26-24 in Monday’s other semifinal.

“Our team played really well tonight,” Raiders coach Courtney Kvitle said. “We were passing really well, we were serving really well, and they were having a really hard time defending us.”

Notre Dame never trailed in either set. The Raiders raced to a 10-1 lead in the second set. Kvitle said her team’s dominant serving kept Riverdale (10-25-1) off balance and prevented outside hitter Clara Lonergan from getting the ball often.

“They weren’t really able to get her the ball and get her the kills they’re used to getting,” she said. “We served so aggressively that they didn’t get her the ball much.

“We’re just so dominant at the serving line. Almost every single rotation, we’re putting pressure on that serve or on the passers. It’s really hard to pass well for an entire match. Once you really wear those girls down, everything else starts falling apart. The teams that can serve and pass the best, they’re gonna win matches.”

Middle hitters Abbey Schreacke and Emma Borrowman combined for 16 kills. Annie Eaton had 12 assists.

“I was asked after the Illini West game if our team hadn’t yet played the best they’ve played,” Kvitle said. “Tonight, it wasn’t our best, but it was very good. That’s what I expect our team to come out and look like.”

QND defeated Macomb 25-22, 25-19 on Oct. 6 at Macomb. 

“I don’t mind playing a team we’ve already played before,” Kvitle said. “It’s kind of easier to scout them and be prepared for them. I felt like we had a really good game plan going in against them at their place. We followed the game plan, and we handled them pretty well. So I think if we follow our game plan, we’re going to be just fine.”