Will pain of first loss spur Redwings to greater glory?

Benet volleyball's first loss of the season wasn't 30 minutes old when I heard a remark from an opposing coach that gave me pause.

"That's the best thing that could have happened to that team."

Good thing a Benet girl didn't hear that comment. The coach probably would have taken a volleyball to the mouth.

That said, maybe he had a point. Losing does have its silver linings. Ask any coach.

Benet coach Brad Baker never questioned the focus or drive of his team. But losing has a way of sticking in the craw of an athlete or coach. Many coaches will tell you that the pain of a loss lingers far longer than the joy of victory.

"These girls have taken the attitude of, 'We don't want to lose what that felt like after that match, and we don't want ever to have that feeling again,'" Baker said. "They are using that as motivation."

Benet's practices are usually high-spirited and intense. Not surprising, when you consider the collection of talent that competes against each other every day. That said, Baker noticed a difference in Monday's practice. The feeling of "We're going to make sure we don't lose again."

It's that kind of attitude that makes losses a better teacher than wins.

Losses can be a tough lesson, a painful reminder of what can happen if a team continues its bad habits on the court. If it doesn't continue to work in practice to improve.

Losses can be a wake-up call.

"Losses can be a good or a bad thing, depending on how kids embrace it and how coaches embrace it," Naperville Central coach Brie Isaacson said. "If you don't take ownership of the loss it doesn't change you as a team."

And in the case of Benet, it allows a team to reset, or hone its goals.

Gone is an undefeated season. Almost certainly gone is the shot at a mythical national championship. But a more tangible title is still in front of the team.

"Our only goal is to win a state title," Baker said. "That's the only thing that's there for us."

Lord knows it won't be easy. Not with teams like Downers Grove South, Naperville North and defending state champion Naperville Central standing in Benet's way in sectionals. Lurking further down the road is Mother McAuley. The Redwings weren't happy that they missed out on playing Mother McAuley last weekend.

Perhaps the pressure of maintaining an unblemished record might be added baggage the girls won't need.

"I don't believe it's ever a good thing for a team to go into the postseason undefeated," Isaacson said. "If you've never felt that pressure all season, then you have the pressure of lose and go home, it could be too much for a high school team."

***

Rarely does my chosen field of sports journalism and college minor of politicial science butt heads. They will 11 days from now.

Barring a change in plans, I'll be at Downers Grove South High School for a Class 4A volleyball sectional. If seeds play out, it may be the best volleyball night of the year, what with Benet playing Downers Grove South before the two Napervilles, Central and North, meet for a rubber match.

I can't wait.

Of course, unless you have been living in a cave for going on two years, you know it's also election night. And I am probably the only person outside CNN's political crew not sick of election coverage. Just ask my wife - she's sick of sharing me with John McCain and Barack Obama.

So, if you're at Downers Grove South on Nov. 4 and you see me checking my cell phone for updates, you know it won't be of the Bulls preseason game.

Six hours of Wolf Blitzer on TiVo is a bit much.

jwelge@dailyherald.com