Haley Burgdorf has been a star from the second she hit the court as a St. Charles North freshman. One team has been the North Stars’ nemesis these past four seasons: Benet.
One of the things driving the Penn State-bound senior outside hitter? Getting to state for the first time since 2017. That combination has unlocked another level for Burgdorf in recent weeks.
“Oh, I am on a mission,” said Burgdorf, after delivering another performance with 13 kills Tuesday night. “I want to help this team get down there, and I have to play my absolute best. This team is special. This is the legacy we want to leave. We want to make our own story.”
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 Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional semifinals.
Illinois State commit Sidney Wright added six kills, Amber Czerniak and Ellie Sutter each had four, and Brynn Hopkins tallied three blocks for the North Stars (35-3), setting up a third showdown this season with Benet (36-2) at 6 p.m. Thursday for the sectional title.
Ella Rowe led Glenbard West (28-10) with eight kills. Benet, which has defeated St. Charles North twice this year, won 25-15, 25-12 over Wheaton St. Francis (25-13) in the other semifinal.
The way Burgdorf has been playing lately inspired North Stars coach Lindsey Hawkins to recall a conversation when last season ended — a moment that gave her chills as she told the story.
“Last year after we lost, she looked at me and said, ‘It will not be the same again,’” Hawkins said of Burgdorf. “She’s playing some amazing volleyball right now. She’s got the pieces to the puzzle around her that really, really want this, too. They keep pushing themselves to get better.”
Senior setter Mia McCall does her best to spread the ball around for St. Charles North, but even she knows the asset she has in Burgdorf.
“That’s definitely my priority — getting Haley the ball and giving her a good look,” McCall said. “Even though she’s such a powerful hitter, they still have to block our other hitters. Our team is so well-rounded, it gives Haley more of an opportunity to be the star that she is.”
Hawkins confirmed that every player is putting in the work to finish off a special season. They all know that they will likely never play again with someone like Burgdorf, either.
“How many of them are going to get to say that they played with an All-American?” Hawkins said. “They know that. They’re aware. They absolutely want to do it for each other right now.”
As was the case in a 25-13, 25-18 win over Naperville Central for the regional title, the North Stars got down to business right away Tuesday night. Two aces sandwiched around a back-row kill from Burgdorf built an 18-10 lead in the first game. Czerniak and Wright finished things off, combining for three kills and two blocks in a 6-0 run.
Glenbard West hung around in the second game, taking a 14-11 lead. Burgdorf and Hopkins teamed up to go on a roll from there, however, with a 10-0 burst putting things out of reach. Burgdorf had three kills and a block, and Hopkins had all three of her blocks in that stretch.
Coincidentally, it was a win at Glenbard West nine matches ago that spurred this hot streak.
“That was a big turning point for us where they really saw what they’re capable of,” Hawkins said.
Burgdorf needs no reminders about how big Thursday’s match is against the Redwings.
“I’ve only gone 0-8 against Benet,” Burgdorf said. “We all want to go out and kill it. We just have to bring the energy. This team has such strong players that we can absolutely do it.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/haley-burgdorf-st-charles-north-glenbard-west-ihsa-girls-volleyball/