Marian Catholic Volleyball Faces Challenges with Determination

Marian Catholic’s volleyball team faces an unexpected challenge this season. On August 11, a storm severely damaged the Chicago Heights school’s main gym, causing it to be unusable until December. Consequently, the girls’ volleyball team will play all their matches away from home.

Emotional Response from the Players

Marlie Peterson, a senior libero, was heartbroken upon learning the news. She and fellow senior Jade Craft expressed their disappointment. “Jade and I actually started crying,” Peterson said. “We were very upset. We waited so long for this season. And then we were told we couldn’t have any home games.” Another senior, Kennedy Hylton, shared similar sentiments. “We feed off the energy of our home fans, so it’s been hard on us,” Hylton admitted. “We like it when our crowd backs us up.”

Despite these challenges, the team remains resilient as they continue their demanding schedule. Currently, Marian has a 9-10 record and recently secured second place in the bronze division of the Spartan Classic held at Oak Lawn.

Future Plans and Hopes for Senior Night

For seniors Peterson, Craft, and Hylton, this is their final volleyball season as all three plan to pursue academics in college. Marian’s coach, Julia Glomb, is exploring the possibility of using a smaller gym for the October 13 match against Joliet Catholic. This would provide an opportunity for a proper senior night celebration. “It would mean a lot because it’s really something that you look forward to,” Peterson said of senior night. “You are part of a program for four years. You get close to the girls, and it’s a nice celebration.” Craft echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the bond they’ve built with their teammates.

Hylton also hopes for a memorable senior night, even if it must be in a smaller venue. “We want to end it with a bang,” Hylton declared. “We want that appreciation. We see everybody else get their senior nights and it’s our turn.” She acknowledged the school’s efforts to accommodate them despite the circumstances.

St. Laurence’s Winning Streak

St. Laurence’s volleyball team continues to dominate in tournaments. They secured their third consecutive Spartan Classic title, defeating Providence 29-27, 25-23. Senior Aubrey Martinez, named tournament MVP, played a critical role in the team’s success. “We love it here,” Martinez stated. “The teams are very talented and are going to make us better.” Martinez, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, plans to join Ball State as a libero but showcased her attacking skills in the tournament’s final match.

Competitive Sectional Announced

The Illinois High School Association has revealed the playoff assignments. In Class 4A, Argo will host a highly competitive sectional featuring teams like the two-time defending state champion Marist and Mother McAuley. Other participants include Spartan Classic champion St. Laurence and Lyons, which recently won the Wheaton Classic. St. Laurence, now in its second year in 4A, has already faced tough competition from Marist and McAuley this season.

“Those teams have very talented girls and I play club with most of them,” Martinez noted, highlighting the familiarity and competitiveness. “We’re building to get better. We played them at the beginning of the season, and if we play them again, we’ll be ready. We’re not letting it go without a fight.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.