Girls volleyball: A familiar end to Autumnfest for Benet

The annual Glenbard East Autumnfest girls volleyball tournament is a tradition on the high school level of the sport in DuPage County.

And seeing Mother McAuley and Benet in the tournament final is also a common occurrence. Saturday was a rematch from 2016.

The reigning Class 4A champion Mighty Macs (30-4) defended their Autumnfest title, beating the Redwings (29-4) in 25-23, 25-15.

Benet went into the match having beaten Huntley and St. Charles East to start Saturday. Coach Brad Baker was pleased with how the Redwings played against them but said the team didn't carry over what had made them successful into the final.

"You score points or you won't win," he said. "Our sideout rate was high. Our passing was a little bit off and when you go up against double blocks, that's not easy."

"We don't want to just get here (to the final). This was a collective performance that needed to be better."

Benet's best volleyball happened in the first set. Senior Lilly Johnson, who was named with teammate Hattie Monson to the all-tournament team, connected one of her team-leading eight kills, to give the Redwings their second lead of the final at 19-18. Senior Kyla Kenney's kill made it 20-18.

Later, a block by Caitlin McKee and hitting error by Mother McAuley put Benet up 23-19. The Mighty Macs closed the set, however, with six unanswered points.

The Redwings stayed within one to two points of the Mighty Macs early in Set 2. Mother McAuley then proceeded to go on an 8-1 run to break the set open at 16-8. Benet pulled to within five points but got no closer.

The Mighty Macs were going with a different lineup due to injuries that occurred during the tournament. Coach Jennifer DeJarld was glad that everything came together against what she considers a very tough opponent.

"They are very well-coached and they always swing big. They are a hard team to go up against," she said.

Waubonsie Valley went home from Glenbard East in third place, beating St. Charles East, 19-25, 25-18, 25-18. Senior Gisela Bode was an all-tournament pick.

Naperville Central placed eighth in the 24-team tournament with Alexandra Vanwestrienen named all-tournament.

Wheaton Warrenville South was 17th and Zayna Meyer was selected all-tournament.

"Basically today we ran out of steam at the end of the day," St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull said. "We were the first ones there in the morning and the last ones there at night and they were excited about getting to the homecoming dance. Waubonsie had a real good weekend."

UConn-bound outside hitter Klaudia Sowizral returned to the Saints lineup Saturday after missing a week (sore arm).

"She did a real nice job," Kull said. "Sam Urban who is her backup has done just a fabulous job. It was kind of nice to see the other kids come in and do well."

Saints libero Anna Skryd made the all-tournament team.

"She had a great weekend and Charlie Ambrose is our other defensive specialist and she had a really good weekend and so did Hannah Spicer," Kull said. "It was a very nice weekend for us."

After starting the day with a 25-17, 25-21 win over Downers Grove North, the Saints lost to Benet in the semifinals 25-22, 25-22 - a closer margin than an earlier loss to the Redwings on the Saints' home court.

"We're right there," Kull said. "I'm really excited about how they played this weekend. I think we're making some real strides to do the things we've been working on. That's the good news. They have really been coming on at the right time."

Huntley setter Taylor Jakubowski also made the all-tournament team.

John Lemon contributed to this story.