Willowbrook Girls Volleyball Team continues historic season

When Willowbrook Girls Volleyball Head Coach Irene Mason stepped into the gym with her team on the first day of the season this year, she could feel the positive energy and knew this was a special group of girls. They were ready to practice and compete hard and had a hunger to win – they were ready to be champions.

And the Lady Warriors have brought that energy and feeling to fruition – making school history by becoming the first Girls Volleyball Team to win a Regional Championship (on Nov. 1 against Downers Grove North) and a Sectional Championship (on Nov. 3 in an edge-of-your-seat game against Wheaton Warrenville South, where they received a send-off by the Villa Park Police Department – see the video above). The girls also won their first 30 matches this fall and have a 37-1 record.

“This team is a group of tough, intense competitors,” Mason said. “They love a challenge. They love to have fun, and they love to win. The majority of them have played a lot of high-level volleyball, and they understand what it takes to be champions. Our biggest strengths are the heart and effort we put into our defense, the versatility of our offense and our refuse-to-lose attitude.”

The girls will now compete in the Supersectional against Mother McAuley on Nov. 5 (at Mother McAuley). Mason said the team has achieved its goals for the season and is now focused on making it to the State Tournament and going all the way.

“Our connection and chemistry on and off the court is something I don’t think any other team has,” said senior Katie Linnig, who is a setter for the team. “The memories we are creating each game are ones we will all cherish forever. But most importantly, (coach) Mason has been the most significant part of our success. She keeps us determined and fired up and at our best mentally and physically every day. Her calm and positive attitude has helped us be grateful for every game we play. Even though we have had the potential to do this from the start, we knew it would take the extra intensity and grit to prove ourselves in the postseason, and it feels amazing to do just that.”

Sophomore Calli Kenny, an outside hitter for the team, said the group’s ability to stay positive has led to these accomplishments.

“We all get along so well, and it feels great to be part of something special we accomplished together,” Kenny said. “Our coaches have done a great job preparing us for each game.”

Mason said this year’s achievements can be accredited to the dedication and hard work the girls put in during the off season and every day at practice. They continue to strive to build their self-confidence, self-awareness and mental preparation.

“I’ve wanted this so badly for our girls,” Mason said. “It’s truly amazing and humbling to see the growth of this program from day one (in 2017) to now. From the moment I was given the opportunity to lead this program, I envisioned Willowbrook volleyball building a reputation of being one of the hardest-working teams in the state; valuing competition, never giving up, pushing ourselves to the limit, seeking excellence in everything we do, being champions. It has always been our mission to be one of the top, competitive high school programs in the state – and five years later, here we are. It’s so rewarding to see all the preparation and commitment paying off.”

Linnig agreed.

“Being part of this record-setting season is unreal,” Linnig said. “Especially after (the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic) and missing out on so many pieces of high school, this season has given me the most special moments and memories from high school that stick with you forever. I feel so grateful to experience this type of success with these teammates and coaches. There has been an expectation of success this season, but we have continued to break every barrier and set records that we will be proud of forever.”

To view photo captions, click on the images below.