Click on the score for full coverage from baiduhai Media Group newspapers.
Benet d. Mother McAuley 27-25, 37-35
Benet’s Rachel Fara was shaking. Crying. She looked quite the emotional mess after the Redwings’ victory against Mother McAuley in Saturday’s Class 4A Hinsdale Central Supersectional.
But it was a happy messy.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Fara said with a voice no doubt turned raspy during the match. “Mother McAuley is a fabulous program. They are so good. To be able to overcome that, to come through all of this adversity. … I just love my team so much.”
Fara was one of several heroes for Benet (39-1), which avenged a loss to McAuley in the 2013 Class 4A state title match.
The 6-3 middle had seven kills, not far behind teammates Veronica Snelling (9 kills) and Dana Griffin (12 kills). Tiffany Clark (5 kills, 5 digs), Natalie Canulli (7 digs), Aileen Griffin (6 digs) and Sara Nielsen (34 assists) also stood out in the classic battle.
-Tony Baranek, Southtown Star
Joliet Catholic d. Sterling 25-17, 25-23
Mary Murphy led the way for Joliet Catholic (24-16) with 11 kills, nine assists, eight digs and three blocks. Witmer and Taylor Zurliene each added four kills, while Megan Cladis had eight digs, Addy Alt four blocks and Melone 13 assists.
More Top Picks Best Marine Speakers
Sterling (28-11) was led by Kaylee Martin (7 kills), Jamyson Trancoso (8 digs) and Alli Olson (10 assists).
-Tony Baranek, Southtown Star
Loyola d. De La Salle 18-25, 25-21, 25-22
Loyola overcame a sensational effort from De La Salle’s Mary Kate Byrnes. The outside hitter had 21 kills, while Carleigh Barringer added 13. Depending that heavily on its pins isn’t De La Salle’s preference, though.
“Loyola did a great job of taking our middle out of the offense,” De La Salle coach Anna Marassa said. “We’ve won games because of our middle. It’s not just the pins, even though they did a great job.”
De La Salle beat Loyola in two games in September, and early on looked well on its way to doing the same against its GCAC rival.
-Joshua Welge, Southtown Star
Montini d. Tinley Park 25-13, 25-22
Mary Bowe was huge down the stretch for the Broncos, coming up with three of her match-high 10 kills during the decisive 8-2 surge that finished the match.
Molly Brennan (6 kills), Jackie Alberto (6 kills), Katie Kopecky (18 digs) and Marleh Wodka (12 assists) led the Titans, who were playing without Lindsay Lannen — the team’s leader in kills — who suffered a knee injury in the sectional championship win over Chicago Christian.
“I think we missed the energy Lindsay brought,” Kopecky said. “We switched up a lot of things without her, but we tried our best. This playoff run has been spectacular. It’s sad that we lost, but it’s been amazing.”
-Steve Millar, Southtown Star