Harper takes Region 4 crown for first time since 2019

PALATINE, ILL. - The Harper College women's volleyball used a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 win over the College of DuPage to return to the top of the Region 4 mountain with its first NJCAA Region 4 Division III Tournament title since 2019. The top-seeded Hawks got past the defending national champion and #2-seeded Chaparrals with a 25-17, 20-25, 10-25, 25-19, 15-10 decision on their home floor on October 25. Abby Major, Eden Suh, and Taylor Knuth led Harper College and were named to the 2023 Region 4 Division III All-Tournament Team, while Bob Viloset was was awarded the Region 4 Coach of the Year.

The Hawks secured the #1-seed in the Region 4 tournament and a bye directly into the championship, where they would meet the College of DuPage after COD eliminated #3-seeded Joliet Junior College in four sets. After the Hawks took the opening set, the Chaps answered back with a pair of set wins to take a 2-1 set lead in the match. With the backs against the wall, Harper College went on to win the fourth and fifth sets for their claiming their fourth Region 4 championship in the past eight years. Knuth led the team with 12 kills and 15 digs, Suh posted 31 assists and nine digs, and Major had 16 digs and a pair of aces. (Harper College story)

The win advanced Harper College to the NJCAA Division III Great Lakes District Championship on October 28, which they hosted against Region 12 winner Owens Community College. The Express entered as the #2-ranked team in the final NJCAA Division III Poll that had the Hawks receiving votes. Harper College did not back down, and used 45 kills, a .308 attack percentage, 11 aces, and 78 digs to earn a 3-0 sweep by scores of 25-21, 25-20, 25-21. (Harper College story)

Harper College (24-17) earned an automatic berth into the 2023 NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from November 9-11. The Hawks were awarded the tournament's #8-seed and drew #9-seed Delta College (14-4) in the opening round on November 9. Defending champions College of DuPage (22-16) were awarded an at-large bid into the field of 16, with the #11-seeded Chaps squaring off with #6-seeded Finger Lakes Community College (24-1) in the first round.

2023 Region 4 Division III All-Tournament Team
Abby Major - Harper College
Eden Suh - Harper College
Taylor Knuth - Harper College
Cyd Martinez - College of DuPage
Amanda Leibrock - College of DuPage
Jordan Fleming - Joliet Junior College
Celeste Zavala - Joliet Junior College

2023 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Bob Vilsoet - Harper College