Chicago Christian’s girls volleyball team gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate Thursday night, as the Knights swept past Noble Street Charter School (Chicago), 25-11, 25-8, to earn the Class 2A sectional championship in Palos Heights.

The Knights (21-18) overcame some mistakes early in the first set, after five straight unforced errors allowed the Noble Street Golden Tigers (22-4) to pull to within 10-7 after being down 10-2. 

The victory moves Chicago Christian into Saturday’s Class 2A Supersectional at Lisle Senior High School. The Knights will play Timothy Christian (35-3-1) at 7 p.m. Timothy Christian defeated St. Edward 25-18, 26-24 Thursday night in the Winnebago Sectional final.

Knights sophomore setter Emily Workman made her presence felt in the middle of the floor against Noble Street, dishing out 23 assists. She also recorded four aces from the serving line. Seniors Becky DeRuiter had 10 kills and a solo block, and Emily Lindemulder posted six kills. Jessica Krygsheld added a block and two kills. 

"We've had better games,” DeRuiter said. “We played a lot better than we did Tuesday night (against Gordon Tech). We came out ready and fired up to win the sectional title."

Defensively, the Knights allowed just three kills all night. Libero Celaine Haan and defensive specialist Annika Evenhouse helped run the defensive stands for the Knights.

The Knights are the defending 2A state champs, and DeRuiter has her hopes set high.

"I think it's a big goal of ours,” she said about repeating as state champs. “It's possible. We have the talent and the power, we just need to bring our ‘A’ game."

Chicago Christian head coach James Garcia acknowledged his team’s errors, but he remained confident.

"Our girls have a lot of talent and they are confident,” he said. “Nearly all of (Noble Street's) points were on our mistakes. Realistically, if we minimize those mistakes, we should come out victorious.”

Garcia knows Timothy Christian will present a serious challenge.

"It's hard not to consider Timothy as a rival. They had a phenomenal year, but we would feel more confident playing St. Edward because we played them in a crossover this year," Garcia said.