Hayley Burgdorf became a star from the moment she stepped on the court as a freshman at St. Charles North.
Over the past four seasons, one team has been the North Stars' nemesis: Benet. What motivates the senior forward heading to Penn State? We are entering the state for the first time since 2017.
This combination has taken Burgdorf to a new level in recent weeks.
“Oh, I’m on a mission,” Burgdorf said after another performance with 13 kills Tuesday night. “I want to help this team get there and I have to be the best I can be.
“This team is special. This is the legacy we want to leave. We want to create our own history.”
Burgdorf was all business against the host Hilltoppers, adding two blocks and two aces as St. Charles North cruised to a 25-14, 25-18 win in the Section 4A Glenbard West semifinals.
Illinois Commitment Sydney Wright six kills added, Amber Cherniak And Ellie Sutter each had four and Brynn Hopkins tallied three blocks for the North Stars (35-3), setting up their third showdown of the season with Benet (36-2) at 6 p.m. Thursday for the section title.
Ella Rowe Glenbard West (28-10) led with eight kills. Benet, who beat St. Charles North twice this year, beat Wheaton St. Charles North 25-15, 25-12 (25-13) in the other semifinal.
The way Burgdorf has been playing lately has inspired the North Stars coach. Lindsay Hawkins remembering the conversation when last season ended, and she got goosebumps when she told the story.
“Last year, after we lost, she looked at me and said, ‘It’s not going to be the same,’” Hawkins said of Burgdorf. “She's playing amazing volleyball right now. There are puzzle pieces around her that really, really want it too. They keep trying to get better.”
Senior Setter Mia McCall does her best to spread the ball around St. Charles North, but even she knows what an asset she has in Burgdorf.
“That’s definitely my priority, getting Hailey the ball and getting a good look at her,” McCall said. “Even though she’s such a power hitter, they still have to block our other hitters.
“Our team is so diverse, it gives Hayley more opportunities to become the star she is.”
Hawkins confirmed that every player is working hard to complete a special season. They all know they will likely never play someone like Burgdorf again.
“How many of them can say they played with an American?” Hawkins said. “They know it. They realize it. They absolutely want to do this for each other right now.”
Much like their 25-13, 25-18 win over Naperville Central for the region title, the North Stars hit the ground running Tuesday night.
Two aces sandwiched around Burgdorf's goal from the baseline provided an 18-10 lead in the first game. Cherniak and Wright finished the fight by combining for three kills and two blocks for a 6-0 run.
Glenbard West held on in the second game to take a 14-11 lead. However, Burgdorf and Hopkins teamed up to keep the game going and a 10-0 run put the game out of reach.
Burgdorf had three kills and a block, and Hopkins had all three blocks in that stretch. Coincidentally, it was a win over Glenbard West nine games ago that fueled this hot streak.
“That was a big turning point for us when they really saw what they could do,” Hawkins said.
Burgdorf doesn't need any reminders of how important Thursday's matchup against the Redwings will be.
“I only went 0-8 against Benet,” Burgdorf said. “We all want to go out and kill it. We just need to bring the energy. This team has such good players that we absolutely can do it.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
