Girls volleyball: In the end Benet hits its spot

NORMAL - The final set was as tense as the opening game was terse.

But Val Tabares was on the left side of the Benet girls volleyball attack at an opportune moment.

Tabares' back-to-back kills were the ultimate difference in the Redwings subduing a game Bloomington squad 25-11, 22-25 and 25-23 at the Class 4A Normal Community supersectional Friday night.

With its victory over the Purple Raiders, Benet (35-5) will return to Normal next week to face Marist in the first semifinal at Illinois State University.

Benet will make its first Final Four appearance since winning its third state championship in a four-year span in 2014.

Bloomington bowed out at 33-5.

Tabares' first kill in the decisive sequence broke a 23-23 third-set tie.

"I could tell it was in," Tabares said of the call that was much to the dismay of the Bloomington bench. "It was the greatest feeling in knowing we are 1 point from going to state, which has been our goal since the start of the year. After I hit the (final kill attempt), I knew it was going on their side of the court. I knew we had it."

The last of Tabares' 10 kills capped a monumental slugfest as Bloomington was revived after being dominated in the first set.

The programs combined for 75 kills as well as 133 digs.

"In the first set that was a fluke," Benet coach Brad Baker said of the ease in which the Redwings began the match. "We knew that's not how they play. They are an extremely good ball-control team. Our kids knew (the final set) was going to be 25-23."

"They were real nervous and anxious," Bloomington coach Joe Sanders said of his players in the first set.

But Benet needed every weapon in its lethal arsenal to counterattack the Raiders over the final two sets.

Benet was up for the task behind its combination of savvy seniors and physically blessed younger players.

Kyla Kenney and Rachel Muisenga, who has already committed to Penn State, played well beyond their sophomore status in the classroom.

Kenney had a match-high 16 kills and her final kill forged the last of 10 ties over the course of a 21-point sequence.

"We are pushing for our seniors to make it a memorable season for them," Kenney said.

"Obviously, Val is a veteran player," said Muisenga, who had 7 kills and 2 blocks. "We knew if we passed to her, she would finish the match."

Creighton-bound setter Ally Van Eekeren of Benet led both teams with 40 assists.

"As a setter, you have to be a rock," Baker said of Van Eekeren. "You have to bring the whole package."

Benet libero Hattie Monson, a Notre Dame recruit, had 23 of the Redwings' 66 digs.