Downers Grove North loses to Mother McAuley in four-set 4A supersectional

Downers Grove North finished its volleyball season with a competitive loss to Mother McAuley on Monday in the Class 4A Lyons Supersectional. The Trojans forced a deciding third set after trailing in the first, but the Mighty Macs secured a 25-12, 19-25, 25-22 victory to advance to the state semifinals for the 27th time.

Mother McAuley started the match strongly, winning the first set. Downers Grove North junior setter Ellery Cabaj said the team huddled together after the loss of the first set to regroup. She stated that the players told each other they were not done and that the season would not end in two sets. The Trojans used that momentum to take the second set, 25-19.

Senior outside hitter Nicole Liu credited the team’s recent experiences against Benet and Glenbard West for giving them the confidence to fight back. Liu noted that the team had previously overcome being down within a set or a whole set against tough opponents. That preparation allowed the Trojans to compete effectively in the third set, where they took a lead late in the game.

Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld praised the Trojans’ defensive effort. She stated that Downers Grove North was great defensively and that their middles were difficult to stop offensively. DeJarld acknowledged that her team did everything just good enough to win, while the Trojans blocked well and executed their game plan effectively.

The Trojans, who are 29-10 for the season, rallied from a set down to win the second set. They trailed 5-4 before Liu recorded three straight kills to take the lead permanently. In the third set, Mother McAuley built a 10-2 lead, but the Trojans clawed back through serving and defense. Junior middle Samantha Hancock erased the first match point with a block before Mother McAuley senior Jayce Prohaska ended the game with a back-row kill.

Liu led all players with 17 kills. Cabaj recorded 25 digs, while senior libero Angelika Krob added 16 digs. Liu also recorded 12 digs, and senior outside Brynne Burkart had 10 digs and two aces. Cabaj also served two aces. Burkart’s back-to-back serves tied the third set at 16-16 before Liu’s consecutive kills gave the Trojans a 20-19 lead.

Downers Grove North coach Mark Wasik said the team focused on defense during the final month of the season. He expressed pride in how the players fought and maintained composure. Wasik, who was an assistant coach at Mother McAuley in the early 2000s, said he knew the Trojans were prepared to challenge the Mighty Macs’ powerful offense.

The loss marked the end of the season for four senior starters on the Trojans’ team. In addition to Liu and Krob, Burkart recorded seven kills and five service points, while Sienna Shelton contributed five kills. The Trojans have reached at least the sectional final in each of Cabaj’s first three seasons.