On Oct. 16, the West Chicago Wildcats defeat the Wheaton Academy Warriors in an intense game.

Captain, Bella Chandler, expresses her satisfaction with the girls’ performance, she highlights the strong teamwork and trust. Her constant pride in her team is due to their first win against Wheaton Academy, especially during the Dig Pink game, which holds a personal significance for her due to family members battling breast cancer.

“Overall, we played amazing. We worked as a team, which is always amazing,” senior Bella Chandler said. “I feel like we really have a good trust with one another, and we were able to build each other up.”

On the events of Dig Pink, the girls decorated Bishop gym in pink streamers, balloons, and posters. This is only the second year of running the Dig Pink fundraiser, but it went smoothly, game and all.

“I think the decorations this year, they really outdid themselves,” junior Brielle Borner said. “I think that everyone that helped with Dig Pink tonight, did really well, and the baskets were so cute this year.”

The girls put bows in their hair to emphasize their spirit and support for survivors of breast cancer. Before the game, they also had survivors stand in recognition for their fight against cancer and the girls gave them a flower on behalf of their toughness.

“It’s a close connection, because I’ve had a lot of family members that have battled through breast cancer,” Chandler said. “So it is amazing that we were able to pull through and win for them.”

As the girls huddle together, they hype each other up to play up and win against the Warriors. The girls are excited, but also emotional because their next game is their senior night. Many girls on varsity have been a part of the program all four years, so their dedication does not go unnoticed.

“‘I’m kind of sad,” senior Gracie Perry said. “I’m excited, but it’s definitely gonna be hard.”

Perry is a four year member of the Wildcat volleyball program at West Chicago Community High School. Her freshman year she was a starting libero for junior varsity, and ever since then she has been on varsity. She is going to continue her athletic, and academic career at Dominican University.

This game mattered to every girl on the court. They played long and  played hard to secure the win. With the first set flying by, with a Wildcat win 25-21 at the end of it, the girls knew they had to play hard for the second set.

Seniors Haylee Majer and Molly Fehrenbach block the Warriors from their side of the court, allowing the point they needed to win the first set.

Senior Taylor Frake hits the ball into a blind-spot against the Warrior’s defense. They pushed hard, but not hard enough to come up against the Wildcats.

As the intense second set ends, the girls powered through. Some tough calls were made by the referee, causing the girls to essentially play “overtime.” The final score was 26-24, the first Wildcat win against the Warriors.

The next home game is Tuesday, Oct. 21, against the Elgin Maroons at 5:30. This will be the girls’ final game at home to honor and recognize the class of 2026.