The Sangamo Conference championship was on the line Tuesday night in Williamsville as the Bullets welcomed the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans for a matchup with plenty at stake. Maroa-Forsyth looked to slow down Williamsville’s dominance, but the Bullets came through when it mattered most, securing a three-set victory and the conference championship on their home court.
Williamsville came out firing in the opening set, with Hannah Holliday and Liv Smith leading the attack with multiple kills. The Bullets controlled the action from the start, cruising to a 25-12 win to take an early advantage.
However, Maroa-Forsyth showed why it has been such a competitive team in the Sangamo Conference this season. Led by Hannah Gruenewald, the Trojans battled back with several kills and relentless defensive effort. Gruenewald delivered one of the night’s standout plays with an impressive dig-to-kill sequence, earning the ILSportsWire PowerPlay of the Night.
The Trojans carried that energy into the second set, finding their rhythm and putting pressure on the Bullets. Maroa-Forsyth responded with a 25-20 set victory to even the match at one set apiece and force a decisive third set.
The final set featured a back-and-forth battle between two teams determined to finish the night on top. The score remained tight from 10-10 all the way to 19-19 before Williamsville finally found separation. The Bullets made the plays down the stretch to close out the set and secure the victory, clinching the Sangamo Conference championship in front of their home crowd on senior night.
Following the match, ILSportsWire caught up with Williamsville senior Hannah Holliday and head coach Courtney Beard to discuss the championship win, the team’s depth, and preparations for the upcoming postseason.
Holliday, Bullets Deliver on Senior Night
For Holliday, the victory was about more than just winning a conference championship. With senior night adding extra meaning to the matchup, the Bullets came together to deliver one more memorable home victory for their seniors.
“It’s senior night, so at the end of the day, we really all just came together and did it for them,” Holliday said. “One last win as senior night and conference, obviously, so it feels really great.”
After Williamsville dominated the opening set, Maroa-Forsyth responded with a strong second-set performance. Holliday said the Bullets remained focused on their season-long goals heading into the deciding set.
“We really just didn’t want to lose, honestly,” Holliday said. “We’ve worked so hard throughout the season, and we really wanted to win conference. It’s one of our main goals.”
The home crowd also played a major role in the atmosphere surrounding the championship match.
“Our student section shows up for us. We’re just a great community, and they’re all loud. Our fans are awesome, so it’s amazing, really,” Holliday said.
With the postseason approaching, Holliday emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard in practice and building on what the team has accomplished throughout the season.
Beard Credits Team Depth for Williamsville’s Success
Williamsville head coach Courtney Beard knew Maroa-Forsyth would present a difficult challenge. The Trojans’ ability to extend rallies and compete for every point forced the Bullets to earn the championship.
“We knew we would. They are so scrappy,” Beard said. “They have fared so well in the Sangamo this year, and we knew it was going to be a hard-fought game. Rachael does such an incredible job with them over there, so we knew it was going to be tough.”
Beard also pointed to the depth of her roster as one of the biggest differences for Williamsville this season. With multiple players capable of stepping up offensively, the Bullets have been able to spread the ball around and keep opposing defenses guessing.
“I think that’s been a difference-maker for us this year. We’re able to spread the ball a lot more than years past, and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons we’re 26-5 right now is we have a lot more weapons,” Beard said. “They all want each other to succeed.”
Playing the championship match at home made the victory even more special for the Bullets, who have received tremendous support from their community throughout the season.
“Our fans have been incredible this year and have turned out for all of our matches, and it’s just a really great experience for our girls to play in,” Beard said.
As the playoffs approach, Williamsville is focused on keeping practices competitive and preparing for the intensity of postseason volleyball. Beard said the team has emphasized six-on-six drills to maintain conditioning and replicate game situations, while also incorporating film study when needed.
With the conference championship secured, the Bullets will look to carry that momentum into the postseason.
Williamsville finishes the night with the Sangamo Conference championship, while Maroa-Forsyth once again showed its toughness in a hard-fought battle between two of the conference’s top teams.
