The usual suspects have mutual respect
Mark Twain once coined the saying "familiarity breeds contempt."
Maybe that's true in some corners. Nothing could be further from the truth as sectional volleyball gets underway this week in DuPage County.
At the Class 4A Downers Grove South sectional, the four usual suspects return to determine the winner of the best sectional in the state. Last year Naperville Central survived the foursome of Naperville North, Benet and Downers Grove South. Similarly, in Class 3A's sectional at Nazareth Academy, Suburban Catholic Conference rivals St. Francis and Rosary are poised to play a rubber match for a sectional plaque for the second straight year.
"I have great respect for what those coaches have done with their teams," Naperville Central coach Brie Isaacson said, "and we're not super thrilled to play them. We all four know that it's going to be a good battle, and good volleyball."
No. 1 Benet (36-1), led by outsides Ariana Mankus and Natalie Patzin and middle Jessica Jendryk, seems to have the edge at Downers Grove. The Redwings are a combined 4-0 this year against the other three teams, having beaten semifinal opponent Downers Grove South (28-8) in three games last month in Lisle.
"You always want to be the team that's won those matches," Benet coach Brad Baker said, "to know in the back of your mind you've done it before. With the other teams there might be a little bit of a doubt."
In the second semifinal defending state champion Naperville Central (32-5) and outsides Emily McGee and Meghan Bray will meet District 203 rival Naperville North (33-4), led by standout libero Julie Chin. The clubs split two matches and the DuPage Conference title this season, the Redhawks taking the last meeting in three games.
"We certainly know what their tendencies are," Huskies coach Jennifer Urban said, "so there really aren't too many big surprises. It's going to come down to who's executing better."
In 3A St. Francis (30-7) and junior outside Kelsey Robinson must first get by Riverside-Brookfield in tonight's semifinal. St. Francis beat Riverside-Brookfield 25-18, 25-18 at the Pumpkin Tournament.
If they do win Tuesday, Rosary could be waiting. The Spartans, who split two matches with the Royals this year, beat Rosary in last year's sectional final en route to taking second at Class 3A state.
"Consistency," St. Francis coach Peg Kopec said if what she's hoping to see this week. "And passing is always a premium commodity this time of year. You can't be giving away points. Keeping kids focused is also always a little bit of a trick."
Rosary must first contend with No. 3 seed Glenbard South (24-13), in the sectional round for the first time in 10 years with seven seniors led by Darah Preston and Kim Schwerdtmann.
"I'm confident my kids are going to come out ready to play," Raiders coach Sherry Hudson said. "They don't want this to end."
In the Class 4A sectional at York, No. 1 seed St. Charles East, looking to get back to state, takes on Glenbard East and standout senior Amanda Peterson. In the other semifinal, Western Sun Conference champ Geneva takes on West Suburban Silver champ and sectional host York. The Dukes (29-8), led by seniors Ali Deatch, Brianne Graunke and Kayla Mullaney, are seeking their first sectional title in 15 years.
"We play a lot of competitive teams and we've been practicing well," York coach Patty Iverson said. "We're hoping to bring the best we have."
Another Elmhurst school, Immaculate Conception, is back in sectionals this year, this time at the Class 2A sectional at Luther North. The Knights play St. Benedict tonight. With a win, they likely would square off with Chicago Christian, who beat Immaculate Conception during the regular season.
"If we win that first match," Knights coach Jean Field said, "Chicago Christian will be a battle."