Mother McAuley’s Natalie DeMatteo never seems to get enough when it comes to helping out her team.
The junior defensive specialist not only makes digs off the floor at practice, she makes sure it’s tidy afterward.
Mighty Macs coach Jen DeJarld calls her the group’s mother hen.
“Natalie is always the first one cleaning up,” DeJarld said. “She’s always the first one putting things away. She’s always asking if we need help. She’s just very mature. She cares about other people’s feelings.”
Mother hen?
“I just try to do whatever I can to help the team,” DeMatteo said, smiling.
She was a backbone on defense Tuesday night as McAuley beat St. Laurence 25-20, 25-9 in a Class 4A Rich Township Sectional semifinal match at Rich South in Richton Park.
Campbell recruit Cayla Prohaska picked up eight kills for the Mighty Macs (33-4), while Jayce Prohaska added five kills and six blocks, Keira McQuillan tallied five kills and Chyla Jukes produced six blocks.
Clemson commit Lucy Maloney also chipped in with seven digs and Coastal Carolina recruit Peyton Heatherly had 18 assists for McAuley, which faces Marist (32-5) at 6 p.m. Thursday for the sectional title. Marist defeated Lincoln-Way East 25-14, 25-14 in the other semifinal match.
Ball State recruit Aubrey Martinez led St. Laurence (26-12) with 11 kills and an ace. McKenna Rake added two kills.
Maloney delivered the big defensive numbers against the Vikings, but DeMatteo covered the back row well during her rotations. Her major contributions came from the service line, where she tallied two aces among her seven points.
For the season, DeMatteo ranks third on the team with 178 digs. She could be next in line as the replacement at libero when Maloney moves on to Clemson.
“Those are some big shoes,” DeMatteo said. “Even when I was in eighth grade and watching her (at McAuley), Lucy definitely was someone I looked up to. It wasn’t just what she did on the court, but her leadership and presence and with the way she talks.
“Lucy literally picks up every single ball. She covers 90% of the court. And she definitely works hard at practice. When me and Ava (Calle) are both on the DS court, she pushes us. And when we’re having a rough day, she lifts us up.”
On that end, DeMatteo is definitely coming along.
“I think she has found her voice a little bit more this season,” DeJarld said. “And she has been amazing for us not only with her defense but her passing. That’s what is most important, honestly, was her ability to make the changes she needed to improve her passing.”
DeMatteo is always on the bench at the start of the match. She comes in after Maloney finishes her serve.
“Grace Cahill is always sitting next to me and she always encourages me,” DeMatteo said. “She’s always telling me, ‘You’ve got this. You’re going to go kill it.’ I kind of prepare myself with my shoes and picture where I’m going to serve on the court.”
Both of DeMatteo’s aces came during a six-point service run in the second game. It allowed the Mighty Macs to race to a huge early lead.
“That felt pretty good,” DeMatteo said. “I’ve been working on my serve since the beginning of the year. It has definitely gone up. Coach DeJarld and Des (assistant coach Desiree Aramburu) have been helping me with how high I jump and location.”
DeMatteo and Maloney actually share another nickname.
“Yeah, our trainer Johnny (Griffin) and coach DeJarld call Natalie and me the grandmas,” Maloney said, laughing. “We’re always together and do stuff together. On weekends, we get brunch, we go golfing … Natalie is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had.
“Natalie is committed to winning and to being a part of the team no matter her role. I know we’re going for a state championship now, but next season, McAuley is in good hands, too.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
