Senior Outside Hitter Sylvia Masiulionis jumps off the ground as she spikes the volleyball onto the other side of the court. The referees blow their whistles as Masiulionis scores the set point to defeat Hinsdale South in set one. The DGS girls volleyball team went on to defeat Hinsdale South in three sets, securing their conference title and finishing the conference with a record of 6-0.
The DGS girls volleyball team has had its first winning season since Coach Madisen Babich took over the program in 2021.
Babich described her main goal for the program when she was hired as head coach four years ago: dominance.
“I want to get DGS volleyball back on the map, I want to get back to our roots and back to the tradition that it had in the 1990s and the early 2000s,” Babich said.
DGS made ten state appearances from 1992 to 2004, winning state in 1996, 1999, and 2002.
Masiulionis provided insight as to what has allowed them to continue to improve year after year.
“Babich and [Assistant coach Jocelynn] Birks have really high standards for us. They have a constant drive for us to get better because they know what we are capable of, so I think that’s what has allowed us to continue to get better every season,” Masiulionis said.
Babich explained what has helped the team to see success this season.
“Having my seniors buy-in from day one when they were freshmen I think helps because they have been around me and Birks all four years now, they understand our standards or why we hold them very high, and they have bought into the accountability and discipline side,” Babich said.
Adding to the team’s success this season, Babich won her first conference championship as head coach. The last time DGS won the conference was in 2019 under former head coach Kristina Toth.
Babich recounted her favorite memory as head coach and explained what got the team to that accomplishment.
“This is my first conference title as the head coach. We also broke Willowbrook’s 29-game West Suburban Gold winning streak, which allowed us to go undefeated in conference and win the title,” Babich said.
Babich described the lesson that she aims to teach each and every player that comes through her program.
“On and off the court, my biggest thing for them is to be leaders in life. Life is not easy, so if they learn how to have that leadership quality on and off the court, and if you are a hard worker, you are going to be a leader in life,” Babich said.
Masiulionis explained her goal for the end of her senior season.
“My goal for the end of our season is to win regionals and sectionals, and I think we can definitely do that,” Masiulionis said.
After defeating Willowbrook for the second time this season, the Mustangs walk away with a regional championship and look to improve their already winning season of 24-12 as they advance to IHSA sectionals. DGS will play York during game 1 of sectionals on Nov. 4.
