Season to savor for BC

Burlington Central volleyball coach Marv Leavitt instructs the Rockets during Saturday night's Class 3A title match in Normal.
SHAUNA BITTLE | Staff Photographer

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NORMAL -- After 15 years that included stops at local high schools St. Charles East and St. Edward, Marv Leavitt came to Burlington Central with the idea of starting a new tradition in girls volleyball at the school.

Four years later, Leavitt and the Rockets were center stage under the bright lights of Redbird Arena this past weekend, finishing second behind powerful Joliet Catholic Academy.

"It seems like every year our team has improved since (Leavitt) came," said Central's Molly Turk, one of three seniors on this year's squad. "He really took on our program. The first year he wanted us to focus on creating a legacy. The fourth year I think we did just that.

"The final outcome was not what we wanted, but it's not always about that. It's about the process of it and we have to be happy with that."

The process was as enjoyable as it was unpredictable, especially for a program -- and a coach -- that had never even experienced the pressure of the State Finals.

"I'm just going to remember this my whole life," said Leavitt, who had advanced as far as the super-sectional in previous seasons as a coach. "I'm so proud to be associated with the coaching staff and the wonderful young women in this program.

"I've had great relationships and great teams in the past and won super-sectionals and stuff, but this team rose to the occasion."

Unpredictable, maybe. However, the Rockets certainly had star power in Turk and junior Stephanie Holthus -- both Division I recruits.

Holthus, arguably the best player Downstate this year, didn't disappoint in the State Finals, contributing 30 kills in two games. Turk was equally impressive, supplying 32 assists and 10 kills.

"If you would have asked us during the summer we would have never thought we would be down here playing in the (State Finals)," said Holthus, a Northwestern recruit. "Next year we are going to come in with that same mind-set and determination to get as far as we did this year."

That can only happen because this year's team laid the foundation for a tradition to build on under the direction of Leavitt.