Normal, Ill. — Close matches have become an unwelcome trend for Benet late this season.
But the Redwings coasted Friday into their fourth consecutive Class 4A state championship match with a 25-15, 25-22 victory against Normal Community in a semifinal at Redbird Arena.
The Redwings (40-1) have a shot at the program’s third state title in the last four years Saturday against Libertyville or Loyola.
“No matter what the score, we’re trying to play with the same mentality,” Benet coach Brad Baker said. “We just want to have our foot on the gas at all times. It doesn’t matter what the score is. We just want to continue to push.”
Since losing to nationally ranked Mother McAuley on Oct. 18, the Redwings have won three-set victories against Marist and Geneva and a hard-fought 27-25, 37-35 supersectional match against the Mighty Macs.
“Beating nationally ranked teams to get downstate is nothing new,” Baker said. “We have to do it every year to get down here. We understand that. It’s just one hump.”
Rachael Fara had a team-high eight kills, and Tiffany Clark and Veronica Snelling added seven kills apiece to lead Benet. Clark also had 13 digs and Natalie Canulli finished with 11.
“I thought defensively we played very well,” Baker said. “We were digging balls and playing defense. We always put that first. We feel like everything else will take care of itself if you do those two things. To have the passion to play defense, things tend to work itself out.”‘
Fara said the Redwings are focused on winning another title after losing to Mother McAuley in last season’s championship match.
“Being at Benet Academy these last four years, I don’t know what it’s not like to go to the state finals,” Fara said. “We’re excited about Saturday.”
Key performers: Benet — Rachael Fara, 8 kills; Sara Nielson, 23 assists, 4 digs; Normal Community — Erika Peoples, 15 assists; Machayla Leonard, 8 kills.
Player of the game: Tiffany Clark, Benet, 13 digs, 7 kills.
