When outside hitter Payton Mandac was brought up to Providence’s varsity as a sophomore, she was just a new kid on the block trying to learn the ropes.
This season as a junior, that script has flipped. She’s on a team with three freshmen who are getting regular playing time. And she has to become more of a leader.
“I feel like I’m a lot older now,” she said. “I’m trying to help the freshmen as much as I can. They are doing great. I thought they would be scared and timid.
“But they came out so strong and have helped us so much.”
The 5-foot-10 Mandac was a big help Thursday night for the Celtics, pounding down nine kills during a 25-15. 25-13 nonconference victory over Stagg in New Lenox.
Olivia Fitzgibbon notched seven kills and freshman outside Abbey Knight added four kills and two blocks in limited Game 1 action as Providence (5-5) produced 27 kills.
The Celtics used a trio of setters, with freshman Demi Carbone contributing 11 assists. Senior Kylie Williams tallied eight and freshman Delaney Purtill had six.
Mandac is being asked to step up her game even more after senior outside Natalie Papes suffered a fibula injury.
Papes, the reigning Class 2A state champion in the pole vault, had 136 kills last season. Providence coach Lee Rucinski said Mandac is being counted upon to make up for that loss.
“She is either one or 1A as far as being our best hitter,” Rucinski said of Mandac. “She brings in that tenacity where she wants to be the best on the court and the best in the area.
“You see that drive her, and that’s something that I look forward to as a coach. I love coaching those kids who want to be the best and take no prisoners with it. She’s a steady force.”
Papes could be out six to eight weeks after suffering the injury before an Aug. 30 match at Lincoln-Way West.
“She has been visiting Division I schools for track,” Rucinski said of Papes. “She visited Illinois State. She has an official visit with Western Kentucky in a couple of weeks. She’s legit.
“My biggest concern when she went down was that it was super, super serious that she can’t come back from. I told her not to worry about volleyball — I just want her ready for the spring.”
Stagg (4-6), meanwhile, was led by senior outside Mary Zielinski with four kills. Paige Finegan had two aces.
Mother McAuley graduate Peggy Clemens is hoping to bring some of that winning mojo to the Chargers, who finished 11-20 last fall. She also coached club at Michio and was an assistant at North Central College.
“I knew her from Michio,” Zielenski said of Clemens. “I love her. I’m glad she is here. I think our future is a lot brighter with coach Clemens.
“Every time we are in the gym, we learn something new. Every day, she pushes us to be our best.”
Mandac also sees a bright future with the Celtics, who travel Tuesday to De La Salle and then play host Thursdy to Joliet Catholic.
“We’re going to get better,” she said. “We’ve been strong and we’ve been down, but with more practices and matches, we’re going to improve.”
Mandac started off as a gymnast for seven years when she was younger. But her mother, Lisa, thought Payton should try volleyball once she started growing, and she has been hooked ever since.
“I quit gymnastics because I wanted to do something new,” Mandac said. “I was tall enough and it was something I thought I could do.
“I love it.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.