Is this the Saints' year?

After three days of practice, the St. Charles East girls volleyball team is keeping their cool about heading to the state volleyball tournament this weekend in Bloomington-Normal at Redbird Arena.

They are remaining calm because several of these girls consider the trip to state a been there, done that. This is the second time in as many years the Saints are one of the final four teams playing for the Class 4A state title.

Still, Saints coach Jennie Kull said her team is thrilled to be where they are, once again.

"A lot of the older kids are keeping the younger ones focused," Kull said. "They are very excited, don't get me wrong, but they are doing a good job keeping focused."

The Saints (36-4) finished third in last year's tournament. They kick off the festivities in the semifinals against Evanston at 6:30 p.m. They will face either Benet Academy or Mother McAuley (38-2) Saturday evening. These two teams play after the Saints and Wildkits Friday.

Benet (39-1) has 6 Division-I players on its roster and beat last year's state champs, Naperville Central, to get to state. This is Evanston's first trip to the final four. The Wildkits are 30-10.

Kull said she knows a bit about the Wildkits, but isn't too worried about them.

"The most important thing is we play our game," Kull said. "That's what got us to where we are now."

After winning the Upstate Eight Conference undefeated in the regular season, the Saints got to where they are after beating Willowbrook for the regional title, York for the sectional title and Crystal Lake South in the supersectional. The Gators were the only opponents that took the Saints to three games.

"It's crazy," Saints senior setter Laura Homann said after the win against Crystal Lake South. "We are going to state. This is what everyone wants to do. It's a good feeling."

This was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Saints. It helped the Syracuse-bound Homann was back, but the rest was too early to predict at the start of the season. The Saints, however, started winning. A lot. Homann did her part in distributing the ball to senior middle hitter Haley Streich, along with two hard-hitting outside hitters, Jacqui Seidel and Caroline Niski, a pair of juniors who were up-and-coming last year. A pair of freshmen, defensive specialist/libero Maisey Mulvey and outside hitter Meghan Niski landed a spot in the starting lineup, and 6-foot-2 middle hitter Olivia Desormey showed a ton of promise.

Homann, Caroline Niski and Seidel all made the All-Area team this year with Homann repeating her title as captain.

"We really didn't know what to expect this year," Caroline Niski said. "The girls came in this year and did a good job, better than anyone could have expected. I'm just so proud of them."

With a month of the season left, the Saints finished second next to Class 3A favorite Joliet Catholic in their own tournament, the Mizuno Cup. Two of the Saints' four losses came against the Angels.

The last time the Saints won the state title was in 2001, when they had 9 Division-I players on the team. Regardless of just one D-I player or 9, Kull said she feels fortunate with the teams she's had in her 12 years coaching at St. Charles East, especially with this year's squad.

"I think God blessed me with these kids, and they know I feel that way," Kull said. "They all know I enjoy being with them so much.

"It's all about having a good time. Win or lose, enjoy your time together."