For Mother McAuley’s Keira McQuillan, it was an honor to play volleyball on a Friday night.
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The Mighty Macs made history when they hosted their first outdoor match on the school’s campus in Chicago — an event that was called the Friday Night Lights Crosstown Classic.
“We had so much gratitude for everyone who made this happen, so we were trying our best,” said McQuillan, a standout junior outside hitter. “We made sure we played our best.
“We wanted to show everyone how grateful we were for this.”
McQuillan showed that gratitude right off the bat with three kills, an ace and a block to set the tone for McAuley in a 25-18, 25-19 win over Loyola. The two teams are GCAC Red foes, but this was designated as a nonconference match.
McQuillan, a UConn commit, tied sophomore middle hitter Chyla Jukes with five kills to lead the Mighty Macs (16-2). Jukes added five blocks, including two solos. Youngstown State recruit Ava Calle delivered 14 digs, while Peyton Heatherly contributed 18 assists and eight digs.
Loyola (9-5) was led by Audrina Harvey and Kaelyn Pasma with four kills apiece.
McAuley’s first foray into an outdoor match was a success. School officials pointed out there were 975 tickets sold, and the temperatures were in the high 60s with no rain. McAuley coach Jen DeJarld confirmed the school purchased the outdoor court and hopes this can be an annual event.
McQuillan, for one, wants to play outdoors again next year as a senior.
“Not everyone gets to do this,” McQuillan said. “You see all of these big teams like Nebraska and Penn State playing at Wrigley Field. It’s so cool that we get to do that.
“It’s obviously not as big as that, but it’s still so cool.”
McQuillan entered Friday’s match with a team-high 106 kills and was second with 101 digs.
“She’s kind of our rock out there,” DeJarld said. “She’s our best passer, defender and hitter. She’s just a great all-around player, and she’s really contributing in an amazing way for us this year.”
Jukes is a year younger than McQuillen, but during club season at 1st Alliance, the two compete against each other during practice.
“She’s such an amazing athlete,” Jukes said of McQuillan. “She’s so much fun to watch and she just jumps so high. She’s an amazing teammate, too. She’s so sweet.
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“She takes care of you as a big sister would, and I love her so much.”
McQuillan, Jukes and their teammates are a part of the current generation of Mighty Macs who are continuing the volleyball program’s storied tradition.
Donna Smith, McAuley’s first coach, and a few members of the first state championship team were honored before Friday’s match.
Smith has been associated with the program for 53 years but never thought she would see the day when she would be sitting outside and watching the Mighty Macs in action.
“Never in my wildest dreams,” Smith said. “I’m definitely glad to be a part of it.”
There were mixed weather reports in the middle of the week, with some predicting rain for Friday night. But Smith did her best to take care of that.
“I prayed for good weather,” she said.
While the 5-foot-9 McQuillan got to show off her powerful hitting skills to the crowd, she actually was recruited by UConn as a libero. She verbally committed in July.
“UConn is going to give me a lot of opportunities when I step on the court and academically,” McQuillan said. “It think it’s going to provide me with success in the future.
“Everyone was so welcoming. That definitely helped my options of going there.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.