In reference to its quest for a second consecutive state volleyball title, the backs of top-ranked Mother McAuley’s warmup shirts read: Running Down A Dream Part II.
But Wednesday night the Mighty Macs failed in their chance to prove how much separates them from other elite teams in the state as No. 2 Providence pulled off a 15-9, 15-10 upset.
“We played our butts off the whole game,” Providence senior setter Renata Dargan said. “It was the No. 1 team vs. the No. 2 team, and that’s always going to be the best match you can see.”
Mother McAuley, which beat Providence in the Class AA supersectional last year, tried to rally from a 12-4 deficit in Game 1 but could not get anything past the Celtics’ stubborn defense.
McAuley jumped ahead 3-0 in Game 2 and led 7-6 before Providence took control by rattling off the next five points for an 11-7 edge.
“We hit some shots that should not have come back,” Mother McAuley coach Nancy Pedersen said. “They picked out everything we shot at them.”
Jessie Janik and Jacque Huguelet led the defensive effort for the Celtics (12-0) with six digs each. Katie Freeman added nine kills, and Dargan had 19 assists.
Megan Griffin finished with eight kills while Katie Kozak had 21 assists for Mother McAuley (8-1).
Bill Harrison.
Downers Grove South d. Hersey 15-7, 15-7: Claire McCormack notched six kills, including the last two of the match, to lead the No. 4 Mustangs (8-0) to the non-conference win.
Meghan Macdonald had four blocks and three kills for Downers South, which went on a 13-1 run to put the first game away.
Allison Stein, Jenna Bell and Beth Schlatterer had four kills apiece for Hersey (12-4).
Sandburg d. Joliet 15-6, 15-11: Kathy Sulkowski had eight kills and Sarah Kwasigroch added 15 assists for the No. 7 Eagles (8-1, 4-0) in the SICA West.
St. Francis d. Montini 15-5, 15-11: Melissa Markowski’s five aces helped the No. 9 Spartans (15-3, 7-0) in the Suburban Catholic.
Glenbrook South d. Maine East 12-15, 15-7, 15-7: Jennifer Cooper’s 13 digs gave the edge to the Titans (6-5, 3-0) in the Central Suburban South.
Good Counsel d. Prosser 15-8, 16-14: JanAshley Dillon served up five aces for the Chargers (6-5).
Kelly d. Englewood 15-9, 15-8: Elisa Galarza lifted Kelly (2-1, 2-1) with seven kills in the Public Blue Two.
Lake Forest d. Buffalo Grove 15-4, 15-8: The Scouts (12-4) rolled behind Jessica Ross’ 34 assists and Erin Whitehead’s 12 kills.
Lemont d. Downers Grove North 15-12, 15-13: Andrea Pytlewski’s seven kills and Julie Biedess’ 18 assists led Lemont (15-0).
Stevenson d. Vernon Hills 15-11, 15-6: Meghan Stanton had seven kills and four digs to lead the Patriots (16-1) to the North Suburban crossover win.
University High d. North Shore Country Day 15-2, 15-3: The Maroons (10-0, 3-0) remained perfect behind Sarah Shannon’s five aces in the Independent School League.
Boys soccer
Carmel 3, St. Patrick 2: Collin Glancy scored the game-winner on a penalty kick with two minutes remaining to lift the No. 8 Corsairs (11-0-1, 4-0) in the East Suburban Catholic. Adam Bieschke and Mike Boland scored in the second half to rally Carmel from a 2-0 deficit.
Barrington 2, Wheeling 0: Kyle Patterson scored twice to lead the Broncos (8-2-1).
Evanston 2, Highland Park 0: Sergio Lira and Chris Smith scored for the Wildkits (7-2-2, 2-0) in the Central Suburban North.
Juarez 4, Farragut 3: Hugo Sandoval scored two goals in regulation then added the decisive penalty kick to lift Juarez (3-2, 2-0) to the Public Premier win.
Lincoln Park 6, Northside Prep 3: Royston Ngwayah scored four times for the Lions (3-1, 3-1) in the Public Second Division.
Sullivan 1, Schurz 0: Collin Ellis put in the decisive penalty kick to lead Sullivan (2-6, 1-1) in the Public Premier.
University High 3, De La Salle 2: John Oxtoby had the game-winning goal on a penalty kick with 18 minutes left for U-High (9-2).
Vernon Hills 3, Notre Dame 2: Kevin Berman scored two goals for the Cougars (4-4-3).
