Easy route puts OPRF into state volleyball finals

Let the complaining begin. There will be volleyball coaches and players upset about Oak Park-River Forest reaching the Elite Eight this season. The Huskies will bring a 17-22 record into their quarterfinal round match on Friday night against Buffalo Grove (29-5). The volleyball nation has reason to be a little upset with the path that took OPRF into the Elite Eight and left some very good teams home. The Huskies by far have the poorest record of any team still playing. The other teams going for the state title and their records are Brother Rice (28-11), Wheaton-Warrenville South (31-7), Glenbrook North (36-2), Glenbard East (36-3), Providence Catholic (34-1) and Neuqua Valley (36-3). OPRF coach Don August admitted his team had a very good chance to make it to state despite the record. He also said the Huskies can only play the teams the IHSA puts in their path to Hoffman Estates (site of state tournament). The Huskies did beat Brother Rice this year on the road, but that will do very little to silence the critics. OPRF can shut some people up by beating Buffalo Grove and bringing home a trophy. The state will likely hear the whining from other teams and adjust the sectional OPRF plays in next season. Until then, live with it and stop crying.