The Highland Women's Volleyball Team battled it out at Waubonsee Community College on 9/19 & 9/20 in the annual Region IV Crossover Tournament! The Cougars returned home with a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend. "It was a picture-perfect weekend for us, and we did exactly what we set out to accomplish", said Head Coach Aaron Heim. Highland would win their first three matches of the tournament against Illinois Valley, Olive-Harvey, and Blackhawk Technical College, only dropping one set en route to a 3-0 start.

Saturday's final matchup against Joliet Junior College proved to be the Cougars' biggest challenge of the weekend by far. Highland faced a strong team with two Middle Blockers standing over 6 feet tall, as well as a returning Division III All-American in Sophomore OH Aubrey Phillips. To make a tough matchup even more difficult, the Cougars dropped the first two sets to the Wolves 19-25 and 18-25.

Following their first two set losses, the Cougars found themselves in territory they have grown familiar with this season - being down, but far from out. Highland made adjustments and found their rhythm in the 3rd and 4th sets, besting the Wolves 25-15 and 25-22.

Entering the final set, Highland again found themselves with their backs against the wall when the Wolves stormed out to a 7-0 lead in the final match to 15 points. However, the Cougars would return the favor going on their own 6-point run. The play was back-and-forth and nail-biting the remainder of the way, but the Cougars ultimately completed the reverse sweep 16-14, their third reverse sweep of the season. "The fifth set was a great example of what can be accomplished when teammates pull for one another & believe in our own abilities", said Sophomore Setter Bri Gonnerman. 

The Cougars complete the first half of their 40-match season with an impressive 16-4 record (2-2 Conf), their best start to a season since 2012.

"I give all the credit to our players for this weekend's results", said Coach Heim. "This unit just continues to show that they know how to weather a storm, stay determined, trust each other, and never say die! It's an extremely special, battle-tested crew!"

Cougar Volleyball returns home to the Cougar Den on Tuesday, September 23rd to take on Waubonsee Community College at 6:00pm. Go Cougars!