Kopec's kids can play
Monday was a night to celebrate girls volleyball at St. Francis.
Prior to the match against visiting Driscoll, Spartans legendary coach Peg Kopec was presented with both the IHSA Coach of the Year Award and the National Association of High School Coaches National Coach of the Year for Volleyball Award.
Because the Spartans are a relatively young team, their theme this year is "The Kids Can Play."
And to celebrate their coach's special night, "the kids" went out and proved they can play by routing Driscoll 25-1, 25-7.
After the Highlanders tied the score at 1-1, setter Kristen Kelsay scored 24 straight service points, including 7 aces.
During that run Kelsey Robinson had 3 kills and 2 blocks and Kimberly Neary put away 3 kills.
Game 2 was more of the same, though the Highlanders were able to mount a more formidable attack.
While the result was never in doubt, the Spartans' Gina Madonia ran up 8 straight service points including 3 aces, to build the lead to 22-7. Meg Vonderhaar led the second game attack with 4 kills.
"St Francis is very fast," said Driscoll coach Kristin Milley. "We're definitely going to work on our quickness to prepare to play them stronger next time."
While there was little for St. Francis players to say after the game about the one-sided match, they were eager to talk about their coach and how much she deserved the honors she received.
"Coach really loves what she does," said Kelsay. "And she cares so much about the team. Everyone loves playing for her. We have so many traditions. We're like a family."
"She really inspires us," said Kelsey Vorgert. "I love how she treats us like adults. I wasn't surprised that she won those awards, but I'm really happy for her."
In her 33 years at St Francis Kopec has a 961-219-2 record. Her Spartans' teams have won 8 state titles including four within a five-year period in this decade. Last year St. Francis was runner-up in Illinois with a 38-4 record.
Under Kopec, the Spartans have 14 state trophies, 25 regional titles and they've won at least 32 games a season in each of the past 22 years. More than 200 St Francis volleyball alums have gone on to earn college scholarships.
While Kopec was pleased by the National Award she took special pleasure from the IHSA honor because she believed that it considered her service on IHSA committees and the team's community service projects which this year include: collecting food for the underprivileged people in third world countries, an event to raise funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer and a toy drive for needy kids.
"Getting these honors is wonderful," Kopec said. 'But they actually belong to so many people. So many fabulous players and the great assistant coaches I've had over the years. We all share in this honor."
Addison Trail d. Leyden: Tori Boyd had 9 kills and 4 blocks to lead the Blazers to their first win of the season, 25-16, 25-8 over Leyden. Joanna Terry added 4 kills, 4 digs and 3 aces, Casey D'Ambrose 18 assists and 4 digs and Robyn Hart 4 kills for Addison Trail (1-7, 1-0 West Suburban Gold).
Montini d. Aurora Central: Stephanie Viane had 7 kills and 6 digs to lead the Broncos past Aurora Central 25-11, 25-10. Morgan Howard added 6 kills and 3 blocks for Montini (4-3, 1-1 Suburban Catholic).
Benet d. York: The No. 1 Redwings (6-0) remained unbeaten with a 25-16, 25-17 nonconference win over host York (3-2).
Marian Central Catholic d. Rosary: All did not go well in Woodstock for the Royals, who fell to Marian, 25-17, 21-25 26-28 in Suburban Catholic Conference play Monday.
Kelly Hogan had 11 kills and 7 service points, along with Lindsey Weber (13 kills, 9 points, 3 aces), Karen Matic (4 kills, 20 assists) and Lindsey Juriga (5 points).
Larkin d. Hoffman Estates: Isadora Borrero had 5 kills, 2 blocks and 3 block kills to lead Larkin (1-1) to a 26-24, 25-21 nonconference win over Hoffman Estates. Amanda Lye added 3 kills for the Royals while Liza Smithberger and Alessandra Castillo each had 7 assists.
St. Edward d. IC: Katie Yohn had 8 digs, 5 kills, 6 blocks and an amazing 16 aces to lead St. Edward (2-1, 2-0) to a 24-26, 25-17, 26-24 Suburban Catholic Conference win over Immaculate Conception. Yohn's 16 aces ranks No. 4 in reported IHSA history for aces in a match. Katie Ayello added 11 digs for the Green Wave while Kristen Haggenjos had 7 digs, 4 aces and 11 kills.