The squeak of shoes, the blinding match lights, the sound of every ball hitting the floor: on October 23, the seniors of the West Chicago Wildcats girls’ volleyball team fought upon their home court for the last time.
The Wildcats opened their Senior Night game against Addison Trail with a challenging first set, falling short at 22-25. But with support from the crowd and students, they found their spirit and fought back fiercely. Junior Gracie Perry anchored the team with a solid foundation, delivering 10 perfect serve receives and 21 digs, which set up senior Jasmyn Trigueros for a standout performance. Jasmyn Trigueros, with an impressive 102 sets and 25 kills—all without errors—helped carry the Wildcats forward.
With two powerful players in Perry and Jasmyn Trigueros, junior Taylor Frake then took charge, delivering a game-changing 17 kills to secure the second set at 25-23.
“After going to many games throughout the season, you could really see how the team improved; it was shown in today’s game by fighting back after losing that first set but coming back to win a tough yet close third set,” senior Joseph Trigueros said.
This momentum propelled the Wildcats into a nerve-wracking third and final set, one that held special meaning for the seniors playing their last game in the West Chicago gym. Addison Trail fought hard, trying to spoil the Wildcats’ Senior Night, while Wildcat families and fans cheered on their team’s final push. With unwavering determination, the Wildcats secured their victory with a final score of 26-24.
As the ball hit the ground for the final point, the Wildcats celebrated another remarkable season. Though their journey in the conference is not over, this home game served as a heartfelt sendoff. The entire program gathered on the court, joining in a final huddle to commemorate their season, singing the West Chicago Fight Song, and shedding some tears as teammates and family members shared in the moment.
Senior Night recognizes those who dedicate their hearts, bodies, and souls to their sport, and on Thursday, that honor was bestowed upon the Class of 2025 players—Emily Hanania, Jasmyn Trigueros, Faith Hernandez, Lauren Dusing, Sophia Newell, and Mia Zapata—who visibly gave their all on the court.
“They impacted my season positively because they always came to practice ready to work; their positivity and energy will be missed,” Perry said.
The evening was one of the season’s highlights for the seniors.
“As a senior who had been in the program for four years, Senior Night was something everyone wanted to work towards. It’s a celebration of how much work one has put into the program, and it was so special! The teammates and coaches I bonded with over my time in high school will always hold a strong-rooted place I’ll carry with me from WEGO,” Zapata said.