Seizing the moment

Plainfield C. seniors rule the night (and the net)

PLAINFIELD -- On a night that began with special player introductions, the presentation of flowers and balloons and a senior group photograph, Beth Higgenbotham's mood turned to melancholy.

She was about to play in the last home match of her volleyball career at Plainfield Central High School.

And she was determined to create one last memory to carry with her into her next life.

Higgenbotham succeeded by blasting a team-high eight kills in Central's 25-9, 25-14 victory over district rival Plainfield South on Senior Night Tuesday in the Wildcats' gym. The victory enabled Central (21-13, 12-1) to move one step closer toward clinching at least a share of the Southwest Prairie Conference championship.

The Wildcats can do no worse than a tie if they beat Romeoville on Thursday in their conference finale. Plainfield North also is 12-1 after defeating the Spartans 25-12, 25-5.

Higgenbotham, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, was one of six seniors who said goodbye to friends and family members in a ceremony before facing off against South. Alyssa Barr, Morgan Heyob, Stephanie Kirkpatrick, Meghan Merklein and Laura Shain also were playing in their last home match for the Wildcats. Kirkpatrick already has signed a national letter of intent to attend Michigan on a softball scholarship.

Higgenbotham is awaiting word on her application to Illinois. She ranks in the top 10 percent of her graduating class and scored 28 on the ACT. She plans to study business with an emphasis on finance or hotel management.

"I just kept thinking this was my last game; I've got to make it count," Higgenbotham said. "That was all that mattered. This is my last night. This is my floor, my gym. South isn't going to take away this game from me."

Central jumped to a 5-0 lead and never took its foot off the gas pedal in the two-game sweep that featured many Senior moments.

Shain delivered 18 assists. Merklein had four blocks and four assists. Kirkpatrick had seven good serve receives. Heyob chipped in nine digs and three good serve receives. And Barr had six digs.

Junior middle hitter Megan Trubich added six kills and three blocks.

"I think everyone came out on their 'A' game," Higgenbotham said. "And our chemistry just works so well when we're on like that."

"Yeah, it's a very emotional time for our seniors," Central coach Beth Fahey said. "All of our seniors are very talented. So, it's a bittersweet night. I'm really glad they had the win. But I'm sad this is their last night here at home.

"And I know that really hit home with them, too. I could tell before they game -- they were very emotional. So, we had to make sure we were staying focused. They're just a tough group of girls. They'll do anything you ask them to do -- and they did tonight."

Shain is the setter and the glue for the Wildcats. She spreads the ball around at the net and occasionally swats one to the other side, too.

She plans one day to become a high school teacher and coach. She wants to continue playing volleyball in college.

"I think Shain's going to be a good fit wherever she decides to go," Fahey said. "I know I've been in contact with a couple of schools, but she doesn't really have a lead runner yet. She's keeping her options open.

"She's got all the heart in the world. She will run through a brick wall for any coach. She has the best determination of anyone I've seen and the best hands of anyone I've coached."

South (13-20, 5-8) was led by Bianca Sanchez's 10 good serve receives and seven digs. Lexi O'Boyle had five assists. Stephanie Murray finished with three kills and two blocks.

"We didn't have the momentum," Cougars coach Michelle Fish said. "Actually, the past two days we had five girls sit out of practice due to injuries or other causes. So, we haven't had any good practices recently, and it showed. We came out there and we fell behind by five points right away. We never could get any momentum going.

"They had the intensity. They had the motivation. You don't want to lose on your home court on your Senior Night. So, they had a lot to play for and a lot to prove, especially after beating North this past week."