Revenge win over Hinsdale C. gives Benet title

Benet Academy's volleyball team couldn't have asked for a better scenario at Saturday's Wheaton Classic.

The Redwings rebounded from a Game 1 loss to previously unbeaten Marist (7-1) in the semifinals of the Gold Division to win in three games and advance to the championship of the 24-team field. And waiting for Benet (14-1) in the finals was Hinsdale Central, the only team to knock it off so far this fall.

But before the Redwings could get revenge and claim top honors, they once again had to battle back from an opening game loss, this time a 25-15 victory by a Red Devils team led by tourney MVP Jamie Netisingha, whose defense and energy lifted her team to the surprisingly easy triumph.

Not to be outdone, however, the Redwings used a spark from their own defensive specialist, Brianne Riley, to take the second game 25-19 and then the decisive third game 25-20.

"Our team chemistry (has improved). We always do things together," Riley said when asked what Benet did differently after having lost three straight games over two matches to Hinsdale Central. "You don't have good defense if you don't have good blockers. I count on my blockers."

Benet needed a strong defense to slow down the Red Devils' super soph Ally Davis, who had 11 kills in the title match and earned all-tourney honors.

"She's a stud, a big contributor for us," said coach Sheralynn Kellough, whose 14-2 Red Devils defeated Neuqua Valley and Evanston on Saturday to reach the finals. "She plays like a senior and she knows the game well."

The Redwings, however, used a triple-powered attack of Sierra Young, Gina Finke and Meghan Byrne to knock off Hinsdale Central. Young had 15 kills in the finale, including late slams for the 23rd and 24th points. It was Finke - who like Young left the Wheaton North gym with an all-tourney medal around her neck - who led the way late in the Game 3 defeat of Marist in the semis.

"I just feel like we clicked as a team," said Young, a senior outside hitter who was deadly on the left side. "Kaitlyn (King) really stepped up and was setting all rotations."

King had 27 assists in the final for the champs, with Finke and Byrne each recording 7 kills. Nikki DelZenero had 20 assists and 4 aces for the Red Devils.

In the Silver Bracket, Naperville North defeated Naperville Central in the semis and then outlasted Downers Grove North 25-21, 27-25 in the finals. The Huskies trailed 24-21 in the second game before battling back and closing out the sweep on a kill by Audrey Wilson.