Benet reaches state for first time

Redwings face state power in 4A semifinal

Since the end of the 2007 season, the Benet Academy Redwings volleyball team has been on a quest. And after defeating Edwardsville 25-20, 25-15 in the Class 4A supersectional Nov. 8 at Normal Community West, the journey continues.

The next stop is Redbird Arena in Normal for the state semifinals versus Mother McAuley, who defeated Lyons 25-15, 25-21, also on Nov. 8. Prepvolleyball.com ranks the Mighty Macs (38-2) No. 8 in the country while the Redwings, who own a 39-1 mark, are ranked No. 9. But the Redwings are simply taking it one step at a time.

Nov. 6's three-game thriller versus defending state champion Naperville Central was packed with drama. The Redhawks ousted Benet in the sectional final a year ago, but the Redwings advanced this year and did not look past Edwardsville on Nov. 8. Instead, Benet was focused and gave a superb team effort.

"Our goal was to be focused, keep our composure and not take this team lightly," said Dayton-bound senior Paige Vargas. "We didn't know what they would do. We knew they had a couple of good hitters, but we didn't know much about them. We knew we had to play our game and keep up our intensity the whole time."

Vargas was essential to the Redwings success. She recorded nine digs and consistently sent the ball back to setter Brianne Hucek, who will play for Dartmouth next year. Hucek routinely delivered perfect passes for the Redwings' big hitters. Arianna Mankus, who is headed to West Point next fall, notched 10 kills while Clemson-bound Natalie Patzin knocked down nine spikes. Jessica Jendryk, who will play for the University of Illinois, added seven kills.

"The match against Naperville Central was one of the greatest experiences of my life," Mankus said. "The atmosphere had so much energy, it was unbelievable. I knew everybody we were playing, but here we had to stay focused and take it one step at a time."

A 6-0 run in the first game Nov. 8 broke a 3-3 tie, and the Redwings never trailed. Patzin opened the spurt with a blast on a feed from Hucek, and Jendryk served for five more points. Val Mattaliano, who will play for Boston College next year, tipped a ball at the net for a kill and added a block before Jendryk scored an ace.

Patzin extended the lead to 11-4 with a pair of smashes and junior Gina Finke added a kill before the Tigers, who end the season with a 32-8 mark, put together a run that cut the deficit to 12-9. The Redwings held an 18-13 advantage, but the Tigers kept chipping away and pulled within two points, 21-19.

Mankus delivered back-to-back slams and Vargas scored an ace for a 24-19 lead, and after a Tigers point, the two helped seal the first game. Vargas dug out a spike and Hucek sent a pass that Mankus buried for the game-winner.

The Redwings forged a 7-1 cushion in the second game behind a pair of kills by Mankus, two aces by Finke and a spike from Jendryk. Edwardsville never recovered and the Redwings cruised to the two-game match win.

"They have a couple of great hitters and a great team, but when they rotated to the back row we were able to run off bunches of points," Benet coach Brad Baker said. "They weren't able to go on very many long runs."

Alabama-bound Kayla Fitterer scored five kills for the Tigers and Megan Sharpe garnered seven kills, but the Redwings front line managed to keep both in check. Mattaliano, Jendryk, Patzin, Mankus and Finke countered the Tigers attack with block after block.

"Our goal was to slow her down and get her out of rhythm in any way we can," Baker explained.

Kills by Mattaliano and Patzin pushed the Redwings' lead to 23-11, and Mattaliano finished the match with a kill at the net. Patzin bumped the serve, Hucek made a perfect set and Mattaliano hammered the spike.

Senior Beth Kinsella, who is going to Harvard, tore an ACL prior to the season and has had to watch the Redwings from the bench, but she is enjoying the ride.

"It's very exciting," Kinsella said. "It's a different perspective than playing, but it is so exciting watching my teammates play. They're all so talented, and it's such a unique situation to be on this team and be a part of it."

Two more huge steps remain.

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