Surprise: Spartans earn return to Normal
It is almost silly to suggest a volleyball program like St. Francis could ever fly under the radar.
Not with eight state championship banners flying in its gym.
But the Spartans perhaps have surprised a few folks this fall.
Despite graduating standouts Kristen Kelsay, Kelsey Robinson and Meg Vonderhaar the last two years — the latter two were the last two Daily Herald All-Area captains — St. Francis is headed to its 16th state tournament this week. St. Francis plays defending Class 3A champion Breese Mater Dei in a 4:30 p.m. semifinal in Normal.
Consider one writer fooled. The Spartans were ranked 18th in the Daily Herald preseason rankings.
“I do think people might have underestimated St. Francis,” Spartans coach Peg Kopec said.
The Spartans (34-6) opened eyes the first weekend of the season, beating St. Charles at the Early Bird Tournament. Their most impressive win, though, might have come at the Asics Challenge where St. Francis routed defending Class 4A runner-up Cary-Grove.
Then they went into Joliet last Thursday and beat Joliet Catholic, an upset to many.
Everybody knew St. Francis had a big-time middle coming back this year in Toledo-bound Daiva Wise. But other Spartans have filled in key spots. Haley Gable has enjoyed a huge postseason, and kids like Grace Churney and Maddie Defino have stepped into expanded roles. Carly Warner, who sat out last season after transferring from Naperville North, has been a godsend both setting and hitting.
“I do think there were a lot of unknowns,” Kopec said, “and the team really proved itself to be a strong contender throughout the season.”
Pethokoukis finally gets her shot:Gabby Pethokoukis must feel awfully grateful to be back on the court. Better yet, at the best possible time.Benet#146;s 6-foot-3 senior middle missed all but 10 matches last year with a knee injury. The Villanova recruit started this fall with a clean bill of health, but promptly broke her finger a week into the season. She missed 14 matches, returning part-time at Mizuno Cup and full-time at Autumnfest.Pethokoukis has put down 3 kills in each of Benet#146;s last three playoff matches.#147;It#146;s nice to see her back, healthy and playing,#148; Benet coach Brad Baker said, #147;and at the most important time. The goal was to have her ready for the playoffs and she#146;s been a difference-maker.#148;Baker gradually worked Pethokoukis back into the lineup, alternating sets with her and sophomore Brittany Pavich. Pavich has made a good impression this fall with Pethokoukis and Mackenzie Kuhn sidelined, but Baker decided to tweak the lineup and go with the older, slightly taller senior come playoff time.#147;Those couple years experience make a difference when you are on the court,#148; Baker said. #147;There#146;s a few plays that, it#146;s hard to notice but as a coach you do. We don#146;t like kids to lose a spot because of injury. Going into the year Brittany didn#146;t really expect to play varsity. Brittany#146;s a great kid and she has a bright future.#148;Conference call in Normal:If there was any debate as to which is the best girls volleyball conference in the state this year, it should be put to rest now.It#146;s the East Suburban Catholic, hands down.Three of the eight state semifinalists in Class 4A and Class 3A #8212; Benet, Marist and Marian Catholic #8212; hail from the East Suburban Catholic. #147;It#146;s almost laughable how good it is, right?#148; Baker said.It#146;s not the only league represented by three schools in Normal, though. St. Francis, Marian Central and Chicago Christian, all out of the Suburban Christian Conference, will be playing this weekend in the Class 3A and Class 2A tournaments.It should be noted that Joliet Catholic is the only East Suburban Catholic school to ever win a state volleyball championship.Here#146;s betting that changes this weekend.Timothy players net league honor:Timothy Christian sophomore setter Jenna Lodewyk was named MVP of the Metro Suburban Conference in all-conference voting held recently. Senior defensive specialist Cassidy Block, senior middle Makenzie Vos and senior outside Jordan Smits also were named all-conference for the Metro Suburban champion Trojans, who went on to win their first sectional championship in school history.