Benet senior Molly Welge knew she was going to be in the starting lineup for the first time this season and was excited about the prospect of making an impact.
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Welge, a 6-foot-3 middle hitter committed to Marquette, has made a big impact, but not where she thought she would.
“We have kids play at different spots during the preseason just to kind of see what’s going on,” Benet coach Brad Baker said. “We had her play on the right side one day, and no one in the gym could stop her.
“We played her there again, and no one could stop her. So we decided maybe we should continue until someone stops her.”
Nearly three months later, no one has.
Welge continued her blistering play at right-side hitter during the Class 4A Bartlett Supersectional on Monday. She smashed five of her seven kills in the first set to help set the tone as the Redwings rolled past New Trier 25-15, 25-12 to advance to the state semifinals for the fourth consecutive season and 11th time overall.
“She’s going to Marquette for a reason,” Benet senior setter Ellie Stiernagle said of Welge. “She’s amazing for a reason. So there is every reason to put her on the court, and she’s just been killing it this season. She’s shown everyone who she is.
“She was absolutely killing it tonight. She kills it every night, so we’re just happy to have her.”
Welge is happy to be playing and dominating on the right side, even though it’s not the role she envisioned.
“No, I had never played right side, but honestly, it’s not that big of a change,” she said. “I’m still doing the same thing.
“I’m hitting out of the middle in one rotation, too, and with Ellie’s sets, the transition is really easy.”
As they often do, Welge and the Redwings (38-2), who will play Lockport (33-7) in the state semifinals at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena in Normal at 7 p.m. Friday, made it look easy against New Trier (27-9). Stiernagle, a Northwestern commit, had 21 assists and three kills, and Maryland-bound senior outside hitter Brooklynne Brass had nine kills and four aces.
Sophia Youssef, a 6-1 junior middle, also contributed with three kills and two blocks. Her play has allowed Baker to keep Welge on the right side.
“Molly runs slides as a middle, so it’s not completely foreign hitting on that side of the ball,” Baker said. “Sophia’s ability to play in the middle also makes that transition easier.”
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Welge looks like a natural wherever she plays. She even had a kill from the left side in the second set against the Trevians, who actually led 3-1 before the Redwings roared back.
Welge had back-to-back kills during a 12-0 run while Brass was serving. Brass capped that spurt with an ace to give Benet a 19-8 lead.
What are the keys to Welge’s success?
“Definitely my athletic ability, my height, my vertical, just being quick on my feet, being able to transition quickly to be an option,” she said. “It’s been really fun.
“I’m really looking forward to state and to continue this run. I’m really grateful to have the people around me. It’s made it so much fun.”
As good as Welge has played, Baker thinks she has more in the tank.
“We expect her to continue to play well,” Baker said. “We’ve got a few more days to hopefully get a little bit better and come Friday she’s a little bit better than she was today. One day at a time.”
This will be Welge’s second trip to state. She sat on the bench last season, when the Redwings lost to Marist in the state championship match. So she’s anticipating a different role and hoping for a better result this weekend.
“I’m really excited to make an impact,” Welge said. “It’s not something I’ve done before, so my goal is to go in confident and just kill it.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.