Prospect hosted the Pifer invite on Saturday, October 4th. The tournament functioned as a six team round robin. The half dozen schools that attended included John Hersey, Palatine, Maine East, Crystal Lake South, Lake Park, and our very own Prospect Knights. 

“We went in knowing that we were gonna have some big rivals,” said Aimee Ciupeiu, a senior hitter for Prospect. “Obviously Hersey and Palatine, and there’s also some other really good teams.”

Prospect began their long day with a two-set victory against the Main East Blue Demons going 25-19, 25-18. The momentum carried into their next match: Prospect won in two sets, this time against the Crystal Lake South Gators, winning 25-22, 27-26. Their fiery streak held its flame when Prospect emerged victorious in the third game against the Lake Park Lancers, winning 22-25, 24-26, 11-15. 

During these games, sophomore right side Anna Range particularly stood out in her performance.

“I went into the second game with more motivation to do better and be my best self,” said Range. “I think that I just really wanted to win… I had a line shot that I normally wouldn’t be able to do, but because I wanted to win so bad I did it.”

Following their initial three wins, the Knights faced a head-to-head with Hersey, who they lost to earlier in the season. The face-off ended up stretching out until the third set. Hersey surfaced as the winner with 19-25, 25-14, 15-3. They then went on to win their remaining two rounds, ultimately going undefeated and winning the tournament. 

“I think we were just a little rattled after,” said Ciupeiu. “It was back to back games…so we’re not only physically exhausted, but mentally exhausted.”

The final match of the action-packed day for Prospect was against Palatine, whom the Knights had also lost to previously this season. Prospect held their own, fighting until the buzzer, however Palatine had the upper hand in the end, winning 25-22, 25-20.

”[We] went in knowing that they were going to be tough competition, but also we knew we had the potential to win,” said Range. “We did win and I think it showed us that we can compete and win against really good people”.

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