Senior outside hitter Kate Goudreau was feeling a little bit under the weather Thursday night for St. Charles East, but it’s not what you might be thinking.
Goudreau even admitted to Jennie Kull, who was coaching her last match on her home court before retiring, that she didn’t get enough rest the night before either.
“The coolest thing Kate told me before the match was, ‘Coach, I couldn’t sleep last night — this was like Christmas morning me,'” Kull said. “That’s what you want to hear the last time that you’re going to be coaching in your gym. That is just the greatest thing in the world.”
Goudreau may have found an unexpected new pregame routine.
She put on a dominant display with 15 kills, leading the host Saints to a 25-20, 25-15 win over Hinsdale Central in the Class 4A St. Charles East Regional championship match.
“I just tried to push through,” Goudreau said. “I knew my team needed me. I knew this was my last time playing on this court. We wanted it to go well and we just worked together.”
The rotation when Maya Lopez was serving, followed by Lia Schneider, is when Goudreau did most of her damage. Eight of her kills came when Lopez and Schneider were serving.
Having junior setter Sarah Musial back from an ankle injury also helped the Saints (30-7).
“We have great chemistry,” Goudreau said. “We’ve played together for a while, and I think we both saw where the court was open.
“I am definitely a rhythm player. It feels awesome, just cheering with everyone. It’s so much fun. I just love playing.”
The Saints raced to a 17-5 lead in the first game. Hinsdale Central (21-16) roared back, cutting the deficit to 18-15, but the Red Devils got no closer.
Three kills and a block from Goudreau helped the Saints pull away.
St. Charles East then held a 17-5 lead again in the second game. Goudreau delivered three kills during an 8-0 run while Lopez was serving.
“She held it together,” Kull said of Goudreau. “I’m so proud of her. She pushed through it, wasn’t feeling well, and she had an amazing night.
“She’s the total package. What a better time to have this happen.”
Goudreau only had two hitting errors as the Saints finished with 24 kills. Musial contributed 18 assists, while Lopez had seven digs and Lexi Crossen added four kills.
The Saints won the 19th regional title under Kull. Many key players on the veteran team also played their final match at home. Those dynamics added an extra layer to the win.
“We all know that it’s her last time, it’s our last time,” Goudreau said. “We talked before the match, ‘Let’s play for each other. Let’s play for Kull.’
“I think that’s what we did the whole match — play for each other and know we have each other’s back.”
Well-wishers continued to visit with Kull after the match, knowing it’s the last time in her legendary career she would coach in the gym where she turned the Saints into a state powerhouse.
“It hasn’t hit me,” Kull said. “This is a great place, lots of happy memories. It’s been a family for me. I love this gym. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity because it’s an amazing place. I’ve been lucky.”
The Saints aren’t finished practicing in that gym, however. They will face Glenbard West (25-12) at 7 p.m. Monday in the Proviso West Sectional semifinals.
“We definitely still have work to do,” Goudreau said. “We still have time together.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.