Nazareth Sweeps Geneva in Class 3A Semifinal
Nazareth beat Geneva 3-0 at CEFCU Arena, while Geneva now faces Crystal Lake South for third place.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Volleyball
Nazareth defeated Geneva 3-0 (20-25, 25-23, 25-23) in the Class 3A state volleyball semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Illinois. Geneva led 21-14 in the third game before Nazareth rallied, ending the match with three hitting errors and two kills from Talia Surendran.
Why it matters
The loss ends Geneva's title hopes in Class 3A but leaves the team a chance to finish third in the state tournament. For Illinois volleyball fans, the result closes out one of the state's semifinal matchups and sets up the consolation contest on Saturday.
Zori Malone recorded a match-high 17 kills for Geneva, while Emma Peterson added 13 and Ally Stevenson had 25 assists. Nazareth's Sadie Quinlan had nine kills and Tess Tortorello recorded 26 digs, and the stub does not indicate how either side's season statistics compare to the rest of the field.
The players
Geneva High School
Geneva High School is a public high school in Geneva, Illinois, whose volleyball team reached the 2026 Class 3A state semifinals.
Nazareth Academy
Nazareth Academy is a Catholic college-preparatory school in La Grange, Illinois, whose volleyball team won the 2026 Class 3A state semifinal.
Crystal Lake South High School
Crystal Lake South High School is a public high school in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and will face Geneva for third place at the state tournament.
The details
Geneva led 21-14 in the third set and 23-20 with the serve, but Nazareth won the final three points of the set and the match. Malone and Peterson combined for 30 of Geneva's 31 team kills, and Lexi Meives added 16 digs and three aces.
Timeline
Friday, November 13, 2026: Nazareth defeats Geneva in the Class 3A state semifinal.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 4 p.m.: Geneva plays Crystal Lake South for third place.
Season Trajectory
Geneva's semifinal loss ends its chance at the Class 3A championship but keeps it in contention for a third-place finish in the IHSA state bracket. The result leaves Nazareth one step from the title match and adds Geneva to the list of Illinois programs that reached the state semifinals this season.
Geneva's semifinal loss means the team's remaining tournament path runs through Saturday's third-place match, a single game that decides its final state ranking. Fantasy and bracket followers tracking Malone and Peterson should note that their combined 30 kills carried Geneva through the semifinal.
The takeaway
Geneva's semifinal defeat shows how narrow the margins are at the state level, since a 21-14 third-set lead was not enough to hold. Teams that finish strong in the consolation bracket can still earn a podium spot, as Saturday's third-place match will show.
What happens next
Geneva plays Crystal Lake South for third place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Volleyball section for additional state tournament results and season context.
