NORMAL — When Lexi Crossen was in eighth grade, St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull actually encouraged her away from dance to play volleyball.
Knowing that she was slated to retire in five years, Kull had an constant, inspirational message for Crossen and the rest of the Saints’ current crop of seniors.
Let’s do it together.
“Each practice, she would look at me and be like, ‘I’m retiring with you,'” Crossen said. “We’re going to state. We’re going to do this. At the time, I was like, ‘I don’t believe it.’
“This team made it happen. Kull made it happen.”
Nothing that happened Saturday night would take away from that.
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Senior outside hitter Kate Goudreau had a match-high 13 kills and fellow outside Crossen added four as the Saints lost 25-20, 25-16 to Barrington and finished fourth in Class 4A.
Senior libero Lia Schneider totaled 11 digs and junior setter Sarah Musial added 16 assists for St. Charles East (33-9), which brought home the program’s fifth state trophy in 26 seasons under Kull.
“I think that our kids were done,” said Kull, who departs with a 726-254 record and two state championships. “They’re tired. They tried everything they could.
“They gave everything they had left, and I couldn’t have asked for more. I’m really proud of them.”
Before the match, Crossen was in her usual upbeat mode, dancing alongside Kull to a Pink song during pregame warm-ups.
It was a common theme this season as the tight-knit group tried to enjoy every last minute with each other.
“Playing with this team, I’ve always been ecstatic,” Crossen said. “They bring it out of me. Before the game, we were all dancing.
“I just bring it on the court so people feel comfortable to dance. I think I’m her little on-court dancer.”
The Saints danced out to a 17-12 lead in the first game before Barrington (40-2) got on a roll and took over the match.
“We were very excited,” Crossen said. “I think we were like, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s leave everything on the court.’ This is our last time playing together. We’re going to lay it on the court.
“Let’s do our best. Let’s stay loose. Let’s be happy, only good energy. I think that’s what we brought on the court, but unfortunately it just didn’t prove in our play.”
Goudreau, who proved to be an elite level player for the Saints, was effusive afterward in her praise of Kull.
“She’s been my person for volleyball and life,” Goudreau said. “She’s the person I can go to and I know she’s there for everyone. She’s someone you can trust if you need anything.
“No judgment, she’s just there to help you and support you and make you a better person, whether that’s volleyball or not. She’s just been awesome these past four years.”
Kull was born into coaching and poured her life into it until the end.
“This was spectacular to be down here for our senior year,” Kull said. “It was fun. They’re great kids.
“I think coaching was just in my blood. I couldn’t fathom anything else I would rather do besides coaching.”
For Crossen, Kull has imparted lessons that will last far longer than this season.
“She pulled me out of dance so I could be on this state team,” Crossen said. “We have been working to this goal to get down here ever since we were in eighth grade. She’s still motivating me to this day.
“That’s going to carry with me. I know that I learned from that and I know that going to take that with me into my future self. You can always push someone to be their best no matter where they start.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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