Marian can’t figure out Mater Dei, finishes 2nd

Marian Central players celebrate their second-place finish after Saturday's IHSA Class 3A state championship match against Breese Mater Dei at Redbird Arena in Normal. (Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com)

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NORMAL – As hard as they tried, the Marian Central’s volleyball players couldn’t hold back the tears.

The Hurricanes came close to their dream of winning an IHSA Class 3A state championship in their first title match appearance, but defending champ Breese Mater Dei ended those hopes by shutting down the Hurricanes in a 25-9, 25-13 victory Saturday at Redbird Arena.

“It just wasn’t our day,” Marian coach Laura Watling said. “I really felt like we went into it with a good mentality, and they wanted it. But we just didn’t have it today. It’s unfortunate because I wish we would have been able to fight a little bit more.

“At the end of the day, it’s one heck of an amazing year for us.”

Eventually, the Hurricanes (35-6) will appreciate and embrace their accomplishments this season, including the second most wins in the program’s history, back-to-back state appearances and Marian’s best finish at state. But for now, the stinging loss to Mater Dei (38-3) and the end of four seniors’ high school volleyball careers are tough to swallow.

“I feel like a lot of us are upset, not necessarily because we lost or anything like that, I just know for myself, it’s just knowing that this is the end of the season that’s making me upset,” senior setter Abby Gilleland said. “I think once we have a day to calm down and reflect, maybe even a couple hours, I feel like we’ll be fine.”

Despite the loss, Watling praised the legacy left by Marian’s seniors, who compiled a 71-12 record the past two seasons with second- and third-place state finishes.

“The future of Marian is bright, but they’re going to have a lot to look forward to. There’s a tradition now,” Watling said. “It’ll be some big shoes to fill but I think they set us on a good path.”

Playing from behind hasn’t bothered the Hurricanes, who’ve mounted comebacks throughout the season, including Friday’s three-game semifinal win against Marist. This time, though, a 9-0 deficit to open Game 1 was just too much for Marian to overcome. Outside hitter Tara Blake’s kill and a Mater Dei hitting error brought the Hurricanes within seven points, 15-8, but they couldn’t get closer as the Knights ended the game on a 10-1 run.

“They’re a powerhouse, and you can’t afford to have an off day against them because they’ll take advantage of it so they did a great job,” Watling said. “Hats off to them because any team that can be down here year after year deserves it.”

The Hurricanes struggled building any momentum or rhythm on offense. Even Gilleland’s variety of tip shots – usually deadly – couldn’t find a hole in the Knights’ defense.

“I’m kind of disappointed because I feel like I didn’t do enough,” Gilleland said. “But the blame isn’t on any one person or any one position. It was an all-around effort that just didn’t come together today.”

Mater Dei seemed to blanket the court, limiting Marian to 12 kills and forcing 13 hitting errors in the match. Outside hitter Emma Hussey and middle blocker Meredith Patterson each had three kills to lead the Hurricanes. Gilleland, Blake and middle blocker Hannah Davis added two kills apiece.

“They had a really good defense,” Hussey said. “Going into the game we had a game plan, but we had to make those adjustments, and when we couldn’t, that’s when they got those leads on us.”

The Knights often exploited Marian’s block, tipping over or around the attempt and using tougher angles that created less contested attacks.

Marian managed to stay close early in Game 2, trailing 5-4 after Gilleland’s tip and Hussey’s kill. The Knights responded with an 8-2 run, however, and the second set got away from the Hurricanes much like the first.

A right foot injury hampered Gilleland (eight assists) in the second game. Although she had it taped between games, Gilleland wasn’t 100 percent and was “disappointed” she couldn’t give more.