Girls volleyball: Downers Grove North avenges pair of losses to St. Charles East

Margaret Mahlke admitted that she has taken several long glances at a banner hanging in Downers Grove North's gym throughout this volleyball season.

"I've looked at it every day at practice," said Mahlke. "I knew that we had to put 2018 up there."

Mahlke has her wish.

The 6-foot senior outside hitter recorded a match-high 10 kills while leading the Trojans (29-11) to a convincing 25-13, 25-17 victory over St. Charles East in Friday's Bartlett Class 4A supersectional.

Downers Grove North will make its first state semifinal appearance since 1988 next Friday against Prairie Ridge at Redbird Arena in Normal.

"This has been my dream since my freshman year," said Mahlke. "I can't believe it's actually happening."

Despite having suffered a pair of losses to St. Charles East (24-15) during a 6-day span in mid-October, the Trojans entered the match prepared for what lied ahead.

"It was extra motivation knowing that they already beat us twice," said junior setter Elizabeth Dunlap. "We were like, 'no, we're not going to accept that.' We wanted to prove that we were the better team."

The Trojans did just that, jumping all over the Saints from the outset.

Senior Jade Casper delivered 3 of her 8 kills early on, as the Trojans built a 12-2 lead in the opening set.

By the time the Saints recorded their first kill - a cross-court putdown by senior outside hitter Sam Urban (6 kills) - the Trojans already enjoyed a 16-6 advantage on the way to their decisive 12-point victory.

"They were a lot more ready than us," said Saints senior veteran setter McKenna Slavik (3 kills). "They definitely scouted us well. They knew what we were going to hit - and that's really hard to play against."

St. Charles East grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second set on a kill by junior Rachel Sheehan before the Trojans went on a 5-point run that included a pair of aces from sophomore defensive specialist Mikayla Sweeney and Mahlke's powerful kill off a picture-perfect assist from Dunlap.

"We did not stop," said Dunlap. "That was great to see out of us."

The Saints closed to within 11-9 on another Urban kill following a pair of acrobatic digs from junior Jessica Garland but the Trojans answered with 3 straight points.

After a middle kill by Saints sophomore Anita Prybell made it 18-14, the Trojans rattled off 6 consecutive points to open a commanding 24-14 lead.

St. Charles East fought off 3 match points before Casper's kill sealed the deal for the Trojans.

"Everything was working," said Trojans coach Mark Wasik. "It was one of those nights."

Senior middle Kirsten Rogers added a pair of kills for the Saints, who began the week with sectional upset wins over Belvidere North and Huntley.

"I don't know if it was nerves - maybe just worn out because of what they had to go through the last week," Saints coach Jennie Kull said of her team. "It's hard to beat a team three times. They (the Trojans) had a real mindset to take care of business."

Maddie Degiorgio and Cynthia Brennan added 5 and 3 kills, respectively, for the Trojans, who lost to St. Charles North in last year's supersectional.

"You can't replicate this type of match without having been there," said Wasik.