Junior libero Natalie Romano made her first varsity start Wednesday for St. Laurence under less-than-ideal circumstances. The Vikings’ regular libero strained her calf a day earlier.
“I don’t like to see people get hurt,” Natalie said.
Oh, the usual starting libero? It’s her sister, Leah.
“At first, I was scared for her because it’s her senior season,” Natalie said of Leah. “And I don’t want her being out for the next three weeks or so.”
The injury turned out to be a sprain, so Leah could be back as early as Saturday.
In the meantime, Natalie stepped in and tallied 14 digs to help St. Laurence beat Marian Catholic 25-23, 25-10 in pool play at the Lincoln-Way Central Autumn Knights Invitational in New Lenox.
Stella McDermott led the Vikings (22-7) with 11 kills, while Abby Ambrose and Aubrey Martinez each chalked up nine. Julia O’Keefe had 24 assists against the Spartans (12-19). St. Laurence also beat Plainfield South 25-10, 25-14 to advance to the Saturday’s gold division.
Meanwhile, it was a hectic 24 hours in the Romano household.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster,” Leah said. “There was a lot of talking in our house about what was going to happen on the court.”
Leah was serving in Tuesday night’s 25-21, 25-18 GCAC Red home loss to Mother McAuley early in the second game when she felt the pain in the calf and left the match.
She didn’t know how it happened but said it felt better Wednesday morning, so rather than take a trip to the doctor, she went to see the trainer and consulted with her mother, who’s a nurse.
Leah was impressed with her replacement.
“She did really well — I’m so proud of her,” Leah said of Natalie. “She just came in and acted like she has done it before. I’m proud she could do that.”
The two have been close since starting volleyball at an early age.
“When I first came up to the varsity, I was really scared and uncomfortable,” Natalie said. “But having my older sister made me feel comfortable. I look up to her because we play the same position. I’m learning what I can do to fill her shoes next year.
“When I make a mistake, she’s there to hold my hand and telling me it’s going to be OK.”
St. Laurence coach Ellen Yopchick
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enjoys the dynamic of having the two sisters on the roster.“It’s really cool,” she said. “Leah has been our libero the last two years and she has been a quiet, steady leader for us. Both of these sisters are gym rats.
“Growing up together, they were always neck and neck. I’ve had sisters before and these two really, really support each other and they are excited for each other.”
Since the injury isn’t too serious, the Vikings dodged a bullet. But battling the adversity from Tuesday to Wednesday is something Yopchick likes to have at this time of the season.
“It was a quick turnaround, but that’s what we want to do for the playoffs,” Yopchick said. “We want to be playing competitive volleyball in an uncomfortable role and putting ourselves in a position where we have to step forward.”
Stepping up wasn’t tough for Natalie, who has fallen in love with volleyball over the years.
“I like the competitiveness of it,” she said. “It’s having fun. Whether we’re down or up, there is a lot of energy with people yelling and screaming.”
This is the second year the Vikings will play in Class 4A. And even though the competition is stronger, Leah likes the challenge.
“It’s good for us to be in 4A because we’re playing much better volleyball teams,” she said. “And we can keep up with these teams — 100%.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.