Serving well is a question of mind over matter for Naperville North defensive specialist Maddie Saad.
So the 5-foot-4 senior brings a positive personality to the court.
“You just have to have a really positive mindset,” Saad said. “If you tell yourself that you can do it, then you’ll be able to get it over the net.
“And if you get a little bit too nervous when you’re behind that line, I think that’s when you miss your serve.”
That approach has translated to success for Saad. If fact, it’s her specialty.
“Maddie is definitely our most consistent server,” senior outside hitter Paige Lauterwasser said. “We can always trust her to go back there and get us a couple points, at least. Our goal is to keep her back there as long as possible.”
On Tuesday, they did, and she did.
Saad led all players with 14 service points, including three aces, as the Huskies seized sole possession of first place in the DuPage Valley Conference by beating visiting Naperville Central 25-11, 22-25, 25-15.
It was the 11th consecutive win for the Huskies (16-2, 3-0), who became the lone remaining unbeaten team in the DVC following Metea Valley’s loss to Neuqua Valley.
Saad is a libero by trade, but junior Sydney Kushner plays that role for the Huskies. So Saad and junior Allison Higgs take turns playing defensive specialist.
Higgs also stepped up in a big way against the Redhawks (10-12, 1-2), recording 12 service points and a match-high four aces. It seems Saad’s positive attitude is contagious. The Huskies combined for 10 aces.
“Allison did a really good job tonight,” Saad said. “At the end of the game, she had a really good serving run.”
Higgs went on a 7-0 serving run, which was part of a closing 15-2 spurt as the Huskies rallied from a 13-10 deficit in the decisive set.
The Wyoming-bound Lauterwasser had 10 kills, but it was defense which decided the match. Saad is a difference-maker in the back.
“Maddie is really good at defense,” Lauterwasser said. “She stays deep really well, and she does a really good job of reading the hitters, so it’s good to have such a reliable player in the back row.”
This is Saad’s second year on varsity but first playing a major role.
“She’s very vocal on the court, which is something that we definitely need,” Lauterwasser said. “She’s just a player that we know we can all trust.”
Naperville North coach Jennifer Urban said Saad committed to improving in the offseason and is more disciplined in her play.
“Maddie is a tremendous leader for us on and off the court,” Urban said. “She’s the first kid in the gym every day opening up the closets and getting my keys, and she’s the last one out of the gym.
“She’s extremely coachable, she’s one of our top passers and she’s one of our best servers. That’s why she’s serving in that first position. We depend on her serve every match for runs, and she provides a big spark.”
Saad is enjoying her final high school season.
“I love this team so much because there’s some girls that I’ve played with and there’s other girls that I haven’t played with that I’m just getting to know,” Saad said. “It’s a good, positive atmosphere.”
Saad said she would like to play in college, and Urban will sing her praises to any recruiters.
“If she’s interested in playing in college, there’s absolutely a spot for her,” Urban said. “She is a coach’s dream. She does everything with great integrity, and she has a great spirit.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.