Oakville Clinches Conference Title on Senior Night

The Oakville Tiger volleyball team wore T-shirts Tuesday night that said, “Great teammates are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.”

Nothing could be truer for the Tigers on Senior Night as they clinched the Suburban West Conference title at home thanks to stellar play by the seniors. The Tigers are now 25-6-1 and undefeated in the conference.

“It felt amazing,” said senior setter Sarah Stepp. “We couldn’t pull it off last year and we worked as a team and just got it done.”

Oakville came out strong in the first game and defeated Lindbergh 25-16. Their defense stopped the Flyers’ tips and slide hits and had a 10-point lead at one point.

“We practiced (defense) a lot early last week and this week,” said Oakville coach Morgan Lucas. “We closed the block pretty well tonight and our defense did a good job of setting outside the block. Danielle (Breeher) especially did a great job of making sure she was outside the middle blocker’s shoulder.”

The second game wasn’t as easy for the Tigers. Lindbergh tied it up after Oakville led 6-1 off consistent serves from Jennifer Brendel.

The Flyers and Tigers went point-for-point, passing 25. Senior Annie Leonard ended the game with a decisive kill from the middle, 28-26.

“That win was huge,” Lucas said. “It gives us a good chance of getting the No. 1 seed in districts.”

The seniors came alive in the win; Jennifer Wolken led the team with six kills and the defense of Breeher and Abby Ullo matched the Flyers’ well-respected back row.

“They’re just a great group of kids. They’re the type of kids you want to have go through your program. This group of kids and the parents they have, they make coaching worthwhile,” Lucas said. “Danielle (Breeher) and Sarah (Stepp) have been with me since they were freshman. You develop such a bond with these kids. You watch them come in as kids and leave as young women.”