Hornets hit the road to Normal

Hinsdale South’s varsity girls volleyball team poses in front of the team’s coach bus before returning home from its doubleheader Monday against Bloomington and Normal.

NORMAL — When Kellie Morrissey travels, she likes to bring her favorite pillow along.

The Hinsdale South freshman made sure she was comfortable Monday for the longest road trip her team will make this season. Morrissey (pictured, right) was among 58 girls in the entire Hornets program to travel for the team’s annual Columbus Day trip to Normal.

Each of the three levels of teams — varsity, sophomores, freshmen — played a doubleheader against nearby Bloomington and then the host Iron. About the only thing to go wrong was Hindale South’s late arrival when the bus driver apparently relied on his GPS to travel to Normal West instead of Normal Community on the East side of town.

“It’s really fun,” said Morrissey, an outside hitter on the Freshman B team. “There is a lot of energy. It’s really, really fun. You can wear your iPod or talk with your friends.”

The Hornets (23-9) won by beating Bloomington 25-16, 16-25, 25-13 and Normal 20-25, 32-30, 25-15.

More than a dozen parents and family members also made the trip in separate cars. Steve and Donna Brezwyn of Darien went to watch their daughter, Jessica, who combined for a team-leading 30 kills in the two matches. The Brezwyns have traveled to Normal for each of Jessica’s three varsity seasons as a junior and also went before that when their daughter Stephanie played on the team. Hinsdale South coach Lisa Martinez said the team has made the annual trip to Normal for four years.

Steve and Donna Brezwyn. Steve: “The girls enjoy this. It’s like a club environment by playing out of town. They’re both competitive. Bloomington and Normal are good. It’s a good way to get you ready for the playoffs.”

Hinsdale South parents let the celebration begin after the Hornets swept their doubleheader Monday.