Kennedy helps Fremd emphasize defense

No single player personifies the success of Fremd's girls water polo team this season like junior Megan Kennedy.

Last season, in Fremd's run to the third-place state trophy, she played a role coach Brian Newby likened to the sixth man in basketball.

"I remember putting her in there, and she was just not going to give in against the girl she was defending," said Newby. "She just didn't budge and really shut her girl down completely. I knew then that she would really help us, and right away."

And that Kennedy did, providing the Vikings with the kind of depth it usually takes to excel on the final two-games-in-one-day format on the last day of the season.

This year, though, she's played a much more central role in the Vikings' successful run. They'll try to extend it in Friday's 5:45 p.m. state quarterfinal match against St. Ignatius in what might be the best pairing of the day at Stevenson. The Vikings (30-1) are ranked No. 4 in the state, while St. Ignatius (26-4) is No. 2, according to illpolo.com.

While senior standout Erika Lauraitis has made a name for herself and her program with a quick shot, harassing defense and superior open-water skills, Kennedy has helped cement Fremd's identity as a defense-oriented team while also providing a strong scoring option.

Lauraitis leads the Vikes with a staggering 183 goals, with sophomore Sam DelPrado next at 47, followed by Kennedy at 41. DelPrado and Kennedy are tied for second in assists behind Lauraitis at 21.

In the latter stages of the regular season, Kennedy came up with key shut-down defensive efforts against the top offensive players from both Naperville Central and Mother McCauley. Fremd beat Naperville Central 14-6 and McCauley 13-5, gaining momentum in advance of the sectional title they won Saturday at Barrington. The team's only loss came April 26 against Mundelein, another Elite Eight team.

"I guess I just like the challenge of trying to stop somebody," Kennedy said. "We always feel like if we can do the job defensively, we'll find a way to score enough to win."

"There's just something about her awareness that's really special," Newby said. "You need to have a certain intensity and focus, and she's always had that. Now that she's got a little more experience, it's really made her a complete player. She's also smart out there, which helps in a lot of ways."

Kennedy's not only smart in the pool. Newby says she's in the top 10 in her class academically.

"This is somebody that is really able to focus - whether it's water polo, swimming or the classroom," he said.

Against St. Ignatius, Newby is counting on defense to again make the difference. The entire team seems to embrace that identity, from senior driver Kristina D'Andrea, junior hole-defending specialist Emily Orlowski and driver Sam Kirby, and sophomores Sam Matuszewski and goalie Julie Conrath.

Newby is confident that if Fremd can sustain its defensive effort for the entire game - as it needed to do in a 7-4 victory over Wheeling in the Mid-Suburban League championship game, when the Vikings trailed 2-1 at the half - the outcome will be favorable for the Vikings.

"We talk about committing defensively for 28 minutes," said Newby, "and more, if that's what it takes."

Again, Kennedy's profile suits Fremd. As a swimmer who specializes in long distance events, she finds herself in excellent condition when it comes to closing out opponents in the game's later stages.

"I do think it helps," she said. "You can tell when the other team is getting tired, and for me, that just gets me more energized."

Water polo state tournaments

at Stevenson High School

Boys

Thursday's quarterfinals

St. Ignatius vs. McHenry, 4:30 p.m.

Brother Rice vs. Fenwick, 5:45 p.m.

Loyola vs. Mundelein, 7 p.m.

Homewood-Flossmoor, 8:15 p.m.

Saturday's schedule

Semifinals at 9 and 10:15 a.m.

Third-place game at 3:30 p.m.

Championship game at 6:30 p.m.

Girls

Friday's quarterfinals

Fenwick vs. Homewood-Flossmoor, 4:30 p.m.

St. Ignatius vs. Fremd, 5:45 p.m.

New Trier vs. Lyons, 7 p.m.

Mundelein vs. Naperville Central, 8:15 p.m.

Saturday's schedule

Semifinals at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

Third-place game at 5 p.m.

Championship game at 8 p.m.