Girls volleyball: Sesi’s decision to return and ‘prove myself’ proves decisive for state-bound Libertyville

As recently as August, Libertyville senior outside hitter Carsen Sesi was unsure about playing volleyball again this season.

Sesi hadn’t played a prominent role last year, when the Wildcats advanced to a Class 4A supersectional.

“It was toward the end of the summer, and honestly probably when school started, and I hadn’t decided whether I wanted to play,” she said. “It was a huge decision whether I wanted to keep doing this.

“It made me question whether I’m good enough to do this or do I have the potential to drive myself.”

Fortunately for Libertyville, Sesi answered both questions in the affirmative. She has been one of the top hitting threats for the Wildcats (39-1), who will play Joliet West (37-3) in the state semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Friday night. She’s second on the team with 243 kills and has also contributed 33 blocks and 67 digs.

Sesi has found an extra gear when the matches count the most.

“She wasn’t fully in the rotation last year, so this was her experience,” Libertyville coach Greg Loika said. “It’s really indicative that patience pays off, and she’s been excellent all season long. When she and (junior outside hitter) Emmi (Zovistoski) are hitting well and attacking aggressively, we’re just really tough to stop.

“We’re doing all of this in large part because of her business on the court. I’m happy for her.”

The Wildcats, who have advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2014 and need only two more victories to win their first state title, have beaten every team they’ve played this season. They lost only to North Suburban Conference rival Lake Zurich, which they subsequently beat twice.

Libertyville’s second win over the Bears came during the Lake Zurich sectional championship match last week. Sesi had nine kills in the Wildcats’ 25-19, 25-23 victory.

“They got us on their best day, so I came into that game thinking that it doesn’t matter that we just beat them,” Sesi said. “I felt like that was a team and result I wanted to avenge, and this is for my senior season. I left everything on the court. I’m not leaving anything there.”

Indeed, Sesi’s clutch play continued this week. During the Wildcats’ 25-20, 25-20 win over St. Charles North in the Fremd supersectional on Monday, she closed out each set with a kill.

“At the end of both, they were kind of coming back on us,” she said. “I felt like, ‘No, this is ending now. If I’m getting the ball, this is going down. This is for my team and for my season.’ That was my mentality in those moments.

“It’s easier to find my way when I strive to do it for my entire team.”

That’s what brought Sesi back in the first place.

“It really took me to be interacting with the girls,” she said. “I love this team, and I love the girls on this team. It made me want to work hard for myself because I knew I had the support from my coaches and the girls wanted to see me succeed.

“This is my senior year and my chance to prove myself. All those factors have helped me to become this kind of player.”

Sesi was a relative latecomer to the sport. She didn’t start playing volleyball until she was in eighth grade. That created a steep hill for Sesi to climb, particularly in Libertyville’s program.

“I’ve always had to work super hard, and I’ve always felt that there were others ahead of me,” she said. “Last year, I was disappointed not playing much, but I knew I had a role I needed to fill, and that was being a supportive teammate and working my hardest. I really have that drive this year.”

Sesi’s teammates have noticed.

“There’s been a lot of talent around the last few years, but we always knew how good she could be,” Libertyville junior middle hitter Vivian Lang said. “She’s improved a ton.

“One thing that really makes her successful is that she’s really versatile. She has a lot of different types of shots. She hits deep. She hits long. I know from practicing against her that she’s always mixing up her game.”

This weekend, Sesi and the Wildcats will try to mix things up in Normal.