The DePaul Prep girls’ varsity volleyball team defeated North Grand high school in the IHSA 3A Prosser Regional on Thursday evening in straight sets, 25-9 and 25-4. The Rams finish the year with a record of 27-8 and 4-2 in the GCAC, with a ten-game win streak at the end of the season.
The eleventh seed North Grand Eagle Owls, with an overall record of 8-10 and 4-5 in conference, came in a little overmatched against third seed DePaul Prep. The Rams took the match in straight sets, 25-9 and 25-4.
This was the first IHSA Regional title for Rams’ head coach Coach Gajzler in her four years at DePaul Prep.
“We took over the program four years ago. There wasn’t much built in terms of a system or a culture or a program. The past four years we have just been focused on building a program and sustainability,” said a beeming Coach Gajzler after the match.
“I remember Bobby [Hughes] telling me that it is a real testament when your first freshman become seniors and that is this group. We have had them for four years. They only know Coach Hughes and I.”
The DePaul Prep volleyball program is on its way. With fifty-four girls in the program at all levels, volleyball is emerging as a powerhouse at DePaul and in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference.
“We are ready for the challenge of moving up from 2A to 3A. I packed our schedule this year. Our schedule was very competitive from start to finish,” said Gajzler.
“Starting with ICC, we had three crossover matches into the GCAC Red [Division]. We are the only White [Division] team that played three cross over matches into the Red. Obviously, we won two of the three with St. Laurence and DeLaSalle. That gave us the confidence going into the playoffs.”
This is the third regional title in girls’ volleyball for DePaul Prep. The previous years were 2017-18 and 2018-19. Gordon Tech won regionals in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2011-12 (my daughter Mary’s senior year) and 2013-14.
DePaul Prep has never won a sectional championship. Now is the chance. The Rams will face St. Ignatius on Monday at St. Ignatius at 7:00 p.m.
The Rams come into the Sectionals as the number 3 seed behind DeLaSalle #1 seed and St. Ignatius #2 seed. The Meteors and the Wolfpack are also GCAC members, both in the Red Division and come into the Sectional finals with records of 26-7 and 22-9 respectively. The Rams defeated DeLaSalle in three sets on October 10th. The Rams have not played the Wolfpack this season.
