When she looks across the net and sees the opposition in disarray, that’s when senior setter Jessica Parker thrives for St. Charles North.
It’s almost like an alarm bell goes off.
“Seeing the players not in their position on the other side is my turn to take advantage of it,” Parker said. “And get it going.”
She did that once again Tuesday night as the North Stars wrapped up a perfect DuKane Conference season with a 25-20, 25-17 victory at Batavia.
The 5-foot-10 Parker, an Elon recruit, ended stuffing the stat sheet with 22 assists, three blocks, two kills and an ace to lead St. Charles North (27-8, 7-0).
“We clearly have a comfort level with each other,” North Stars coach Lindsey Hawkins said of Parker. “We’ve had hard conversations before. We have lots of good conversations.
“The fact that I have so much trust in her and she trusts me, I think that really helps. She made some great decisions (Tuesday) and had some great sets.”
A good example of Parker’s play came as the North Stars pulled away in the first game. In a three-point stretch, she had two dump kills and a block to push the lead to 20-14.
That prevented the Bulldogs (18-16, 2-5) from getting into a rhythm all night. Batavia coach McKenna Kelsay, a former setter, recognized what Parker was able to do.
“It’s hard because she can run the offense and be a threat in so many ways,” Kelsay said. “They run a faster offense. She can get the ball to the outside, or they’re running back-row stuff, or we have to be ready for the dump.
“My thing to the middles is to simplify it. Don’t look at everybody running everywhere. They were still able to get on it, and she’s great. As a former setter, it’s fun to see, but it’s hard to play against.”
It was Batavia’s senior night, so the Bulldogs had a long celebration.
The Bulldogs have 13 seniors on their 15-player roster, including Bowling Green-bound setter/right-side hitter Amanda Otten, who had nine kills.
“We did what we could and we have nothing to hang our heads about,” Kelsay said. “What I told them beforehand was just enjoy this. Cherish this moment. Take a look around. You’re never going to play with these girls again.
“It’s an emotional night. Let them enjoy it and feel it all.”
Haley Burgdorf paced St. Charles North with eight kills. Katherine Scherer and Alex Bardouniotis each had five kills, a key to the clincher.
“This feels really sweet,” Hawkins said. “It’s not the ultimate goal, but it feels pretty good. It was a lot of hard work to get to 7-0, but the challenge is you have to work harder.”
The North Stars now turn their attention to the postseason.
St. Charles North earned the top seed in its half of the Class 4A Machesney Park Harlem Sectional. The North Stars open play Tuesday in the South Elgin Regional against sixth-seeded Streamwood.
“We’ve talked about the pressure of being seeded No. 1, the pressure of knowing that we could do great things,” Hawkins said. “Everybody is going to show up. Everybody is going to want to beat you. You have a target on your backs.
“It’s not going to be easy. There are going to be pressure situations. You have to go get it.”
Fortunately for Hawkins, she has a floor general in Parker who has been preparing years for this role.
Parker realizes the younger players will be looking to her for leadership, and she’s ready for the challenge.
“I think we’re doing a pretty good job,” Parker said. “Honestly, it’s just staying zoned in during practice and having it all be muscle memory. Knowing how hard we’re working, we know it’s going to pay off.
“We know we have to stay calm under pressure. I think we’re ready for it.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.