Downers Grove North ended a 13-year losing streak against Benet Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 3, winning 25-18, 25-23 in the Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional semifinal.

The victory sends the third-seeded Trojans (28-9) to the sectional final against Glenbard West on Thursday, Nov. 5. DGN last won a sectional title in 2018.

Senior outside hitter Nicole Liu led the comeback that sealed it. Benet had ripped off an 8-0 run to take a 22-15 lead in the second set, and the match looked headed for a third set. Liu, DGN's team captain, answered with three straight kills to swing momentum back, first reported by Shaw Local. She finished with four kills during the Trojans' answering 8-0 run, which put DGN ahead 23-22.

Sienna Shelton's crosscourt kill and a Benet spike that sailed wide capped the run.

Liu finished with a match-high nine kills and eight digs. Brynn Burkhardt added five kills and seven digs.

"Something just started clicking," Liu said, according to Shaw Local. "I started demanding the ball more, knowing that when I'm playing well I'm getting the ball."

DGN coach Mark Wasik credited Ellery Cabaj's serving for sparking the turnaround. Cabaj posted 12 assists, 10 digs and three kills. Wasik said Cabaj did a strong job hitting her spots on serve during the decisive stretch after Benet had built its lead.

The first set stayed tight. Neither team led by more than three points, and DGN held a 16-15 edge before a Cabaj kill and a Shelton block ignited a 9-2 run to close it out.

Benet, the second seed at 27-11, got a spark from sophomore Dina DiSanto, who had four kills during the Redwings' 8-0 second-set surge. Benet coach Brad Baker said his young roster fought hard after a lopsided first set. The Redwings' 11 losses were the most in Baker's 20 seasons as head coach.

Late violations cost Benet its chance to force a third set. The Redwings were called for a rotation violation on serve and a net violation at match point.

DGN lost to Benet in two sets in September but has gone 14-2 over its last 16 matches. The Trojans beat Glenbard West twice during the regular season and will face them a third time Thursday for the sectional championship. Neither program has won a sectional title this decade.

"It's a completely new match Thursday," Liu said, according to Shaw Local.