Injured Seidel returns to spark St. Charles East

With the game on the line, St. Charles East turned to its injured captain.

Jacqui Seidel delivered.

Seidel, not expected to play due to sprained ankle suffered in practice Wednesday, stepped in after the Saints dropped Game 1 and led her team to a 22-25, 25-14, 25-17 Class 4A Schaumburg regional championship victory over Willowbrook.

"Jacqui did great things for us out there today," said sophomore outside hitter Meghan Niski of her teammate.

"I wanted to hold off playing her today," added St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull, "but if I didn't, I thought we might be in trouble, because Willowbrook is such a good team."

The senior, whose 4 aces helped the Saints turn the match around, said she thought there was a possibility she'd been playing.

"After the injury," said Seidel, "I was worried that I might be letting my team down, and I got a little down. But then I remembered that we have one of the best bonds of any team in the state, and I had complete confidence that my teammates could carry on without me."

With senior co-captain Caroline Niski also out of action due to injury, the top-seeded Saints were a bit short-handed - but Seidel, Meghan Niski and freshman Erienne Barry each served 2 aces in Game 2 to help St. Charles East tie the match.

"We had a lot more energy after the first game," said Barry. "Games two and three were a lot of fun."

Another ace from Barry midway through Game 3 broke a tie and the Saints went on a 5-point run to open up a 18-12 lead en route to the victory.

Junior outside hitter Samantha Szarmach had 4 kills, Meghan Niski swatted 8 kills and sophomore defensive specialist Maisey Mulvey finished with 18 digs.

"I feel fine right now," said Seidel, who sported an ice pack on her ankle after the match. "I was excited to be in there."

So was coach Kull, who was impressed with her team's performance.

"I was proud of the fact that the kids kept their composure," said Kull. "They're a young team, but they played a great game today."