Normal University controlled both sets against Prairie Ridge with balanced hitting and minimal errors.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Prairie Ridge libero Tegan Vrbbancic digs a kill shot from Normal U-High in the second set of their state semifinal match.
NORMAL - Prairie Ridge has been on this stage before. Five times now, the Wolves have stepped beneath the state finals lights, trying to summon the right mix of steadiness, grit and energy to reach a championship match. On Friday at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus, that experience helped them stay composed, but it wasn’t enough to withstand the precision and firepower Normal University brought to the Class 3A state semifinals at the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals. The Pioneers controlled both sets and handed Prairie Ridge a 25-20, 25-18 loss that sent the Wolves into today’s third-place match. From the opening serve, Prairie Ridge showed the composure of a program comfortable at this level. The Wolves struck first and managed to build a brief 3-2 edge, leaning on clean touches and quick transitions. But U-High’s offensive rhythm tightened almost immediately. Junior outside hitter Laney Snow delivered back-to-back kills to push the Pioneers ahead 4-3. Prairie Ridge’s Adeline Grider answered with a sharp swing of her own to level the score once more, but Snow responded again with another kill that put U-High in front 5-4. It was a small moment in the box score, but it marked the beginning of a shift in control. From there, the Pioneers didn’t let up. U-High played an exceptionally clean first set, committing just one error while building a lead that swelled as large as eight points. Their serve receive was crisp, their defense steady, and their offense ran with the kind of balance that forces opponents to pick their poison. Prairie Ridge stayed within striking distance through stretches of the frame, but each small opening they created was quickly answered at the net. Grider gave the Wolves their strongest spark, finishing with 12 kills, seven digs and an assist. Abigail Smith added seven kills and two digs, giving Prairie Ridge solid production at the pins. Setter Addison Smith worked to keep the offense moving, distributing 23 assists while directing the Wolves’ efforts to mix tempo and find seams through U-High’s block. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the Pioneers’ consistency. Prairie Ridge committed 11 errors across the match — nine of them in the second set — while U-High limited its mistakes to just one error in the first set and three in the second.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Normal University volleyball players on the bench stand to celebrate another point for their team. The Pioneers advanced to today's title match for a shot at the Class 3A crown.
The Wolves needed a clean start to the second set to reset the momentum, and for a while, they found one. The teams traded points and tied the score seven times after the opening serve. Prairie Ridge dug in defensively, with Tegan Vrbrancic anchoring the floor and finishing with eight digs to lead the team. The Wolves' block tightened, forcing longer rallies and creating pockets of energy from their student section. Still, U-High remained sharp. Snow, who finished with 11 kills and nine digs, stayed efficient throughout the frame. Ava Crabtree added eight kills and eight digs, giving the Pioneers reliable production on both sides of the court. Their two-setter system kept the Wolves off balance, with Morgan Petelin and Madison Funk finishing with 14 assists each. Funk also contributed seven digs, often extending plays that looked finished. The turning point came with U-High leading 17-15. Emma Jean Bogusz stepped to the service line and seized control of the set. Her serve run stretched to six consecutive points, pushing the lead to 23-17 and silencing any hopes Prairie Ridge had of forcing a decisive third frame. Three serves later, Penn Taylor sealed the match with a solo block, sending U-High into tonight’s championship match at 5:30 p.m. U-High, meanwhile, advances to face Nazareth, a program with a growing collection of state trophies — one championship, one runner-up and one third-place finish. With the Pioneers performing at their sharpest, tonight’s title match promises to be a strong finale to the Class 3A season. Prairie Ridge now turns its attention to the third-place match against Providence Catholic, which fell to Nazareth Academy in its semifinal. The Wolves have one more opportunity to close their season with hardware and a performance that reflects their experience and resolve.
In a month marked by remembrance and gratitude, we revisit stories that defined our region — local sports state championship runs, celebrating Thanksgiving, and spotlighting moments of unity, resilience, and spirited debate.
From local news, features, and community events to politics, and Opinion-Editorial viewpoints, discover archived posts published on November 14 in previous years, offering a rich tapestry of life in Champaign County and the broader community, curated by The Sentinel. Here are the headlines from local news, sports, community events, and editorial viewpoints in and around Champaign-Urbana.
