Junior setter Ella Schoenberg didn’t like what she was seeing for Harvest Christian.

All of a sudden Wednesday night, things were starting to slip away for the Lions in the second game against Rockford Lutheran. Seven straight points were the result of errors.

It was time to stop the slide.

“I was just like, ‘We have to do something to win,’” Schoenberg said afterward. “That was my attitude. I was like, ‘I’m going to do the best that I can for my team.’

“That was going through my head.”

A tip kill from Schoenberg changed the momentum for the host Lions, who went on to take a 25-21, 25-21 win in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Sectional championship match in Elgin.

After winning the first game, Harvest Christian (23-9) led 11-6 in the second when the wheels fell off. After Schoenberg’s kill, however, the Lions cruised to their first sectional title since 2018.

Schoenberg finished with six kills and 15 assists for the Lions (23-9), who play at 6 p.m. Monday in Pecatonica Supersectional against Galena (33-4), a 25-23, 25-13 winner over Lena-Winslow.

Alyssa Burke and Chace Welsh complemented Schoenberg with seven kills apiece for Harvest. Burke added 10 digs, while Taylor Martin had 24 digs.

With the second game getting too close to comfort and the possibility of a third game looming, Schoenberg saw an opportunity.

The Lions trailed 15-13 when Schoenberg appeared to be setting the ball and instead placed a no-look shot into the middle of the defense that changed the mojo against Rockford Lutheran (17-18).

“For her to be able to set that and change the tempo was great,” Harvest Christian coach Andy Kownacki said. “They keep fighting. They keep doing a good job.

“I’m proud of them. They’ve just been relentless and not letting balls drop. They just keep going and going.”

Kownacki switched to a 5-1 offense this season, making Schoenberg the primary setter despite the fact she was also one of the team’s best hitters.

“She is one of our most powerful hitters,” Kownacki said. “But it was a change we decided to make.”

Schoenberg isn’t completely out of that rotation, however.

When she hits from the right side, Madison Tatum takes over the setting load and Schoenberg is still a threat. That skill came through with two key kills late in the second game.

“We did that midway through the season because I didn’t want to lose her hitting completely,” Kownacki said. “I wanted to still have her hit, so that’s why we do that rotation.

“Our middle sets her on the right side.”

Her teammates recognize the contributions Schoenberg makes in all aspects.

“We love Ella,” Welsh said. “She really keeps the team focused. She’s a great player. She’s amazing. She’s really a weapon on the court.”

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The first game was tight until Schoenberg stepped to the line with a 10-10 tie. She served one of her three aces in the match to start a 4-0 run that she ended with another ace.

Kills from Kenzie Weidman and Welsh were in the middle of that surge. Burke added three kills down the stretch as the Lions never trailed again.

The win sets up a date with Galena, which Harvest has faced in the past.

“Galena is tough,” Kownacki said. “We played them the last couple years in sectionals. They’re very tough, but I think we’re ready for it. We’re excited about it.”

Schoenberg is happy to be back in that position for Lions, who want a return trip to state for the first time since finishing fourth in 2017.

“We all just want to win,” Schoenberg said. “We’re just so excited to win. We’re also driven. That’s what we go for here. We try to push ourselves to do whatever it takes.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.