The Minooka varsity girls volleyball team had plenty of accomplishments in 2018.

They finished with a 25-12 overall season record. In conference, Minooka tied for second with Plainfield North and Joliet West with a 7-2 SPC record.

In the postseason, the girls beat West Aurora in the regional semifinals before losing to eventual super-sectional champion Benet Academy.

The team started out the season hot, winning 10 out of their first 11 games. But they hit a little bit of a rough patch towards the middle of the season.

Minooka faced off against Joliet Catholic Academy on Aug. 29. It was one of the most hyped games of the season. Minooka took the win 2-0.

Not only was the JCA game big for the teams, but also for the fans. Chants went back and forth trying to get the other side frustrated and resulted in a interesting game.

Another big game this season for Minooka was against Marist High School. Not only did Marist outrank Minooka in Illinois rankings, but also they beat the Indians last year in the state championship.

Throughout the game, Minooka battled, but ultimately lost both sets.

“I feel like this season we achieved a lot together and it really surprised a lot of people which we all wanted to do,” Des Anderson, junior, said. “I’m really proud I got to spend the season with such hardworking girls.”

To many of these girls, it was the last time they’d play together and even though it may have ended short, it is something they will never forget.

“Team 18 was very special, we had a team bond like no other. Each and every one of the girls was like a sister to me. Even though we didn’t make it as far as previous teams, we brought a different style to play to Minooka volleyball,” Mia Alessio, junior, said.

“The most exciting thing of the season was winning the Lyons Township invitational, and it was the first time in school history that we have won that tournament,” Carrie Prosek, head coach, said.

The team went undefeated in the Lyons Township tournament and finished off the tournament with a championship win for the first time in school history.

Click here to view a video of Mia Alessio and Hailey Sperling discussing the 2018 season.