Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld calls senior libero Emma Reilly “the backbone of our team.”

Saturday, she was an MVP.

The Appalachian State recruit was awarded the top honor following Mother McAuley's 28-26, 25-13 victory over Benet in the championship match of the Glenbard East Autumnfest Tournament.

Reilly had 41 digs for the weekend, 10 in the title match. But it went well beyond those numbers, according to DeJarld.

“She served great, passed consistently and dug some amazing balls,” DeJarld said. “Everything starts with the pass, and Emma kept us in system and allowed our offense to have many options.”

Sophomore setter Nancy Kane used plenty of them in the two-game victory over Benet, going to Charley Niego for 11 kills, Katie O'Connell for 10 and Abby O'Brien for five.

The Mighty Macs were tough in coming back from a 22-18 deficit in Game 1. They delivered a powerful knockout punch in Game 2.

“We maintained our composure when things weren't going our way, and we maintained our composure when the momentum changed,” DeJarld said. “It shows me that we're becoming more mentally tough. We are focused whether we are up or down.”

McAuley (32-1) closes out its regular season Wednesday with a home match against Lyons.

Gaining steam: Marian Catholic had more motivation than just being in a championship match Saturday when the Spartans met Lincoln-Way East at the Lincoln-Way Autumn Knights Invitational.

Revenge was also a factor, according to coach Ryan Summers.

“Lincoln-Way East beat us in three at the beginning of the season,” Summers said. “So that was obviously one of the teams we were looking for a rematch with.”

They made the most of it in a 25-14, 25-13 victory. As she has in most matches, sophomore outside hitter Temitayo Thomas-Ailara led with nine kills and eight digs. But senior middle hitter Ashley Sledge had her best match of the season with five kills.

“They were monster kills,” Summers said. “Ashley was moved up to the varsity at the end of her freshman year. It has been a great experience seeing her develop year after year from a role player trying to keep up into the dominant force she was (Saturday).

“All the kids were really pumped up. It was nice to see all aspects of our game clicking well, especially with the state series just around the corner.”

The Spartans (22-9) are the fifth seed in the Class 3A Chicago Christian Sectional that includes Providence, Manteno and Tinley Park.

Silver lining: Injuries have caused Joliet Catholic headaches throughout the regular season, but the Angels came away with a high point Saturday, beating Naperville Central 25-13, 22-25, 25-21 to win the Silver Division title at the Glenbard East Autumnfest Classic.

Junior setter Sarah Nahas led the Angels (18-15-1), earning all-tournament honors with 126 assists, 27 digs, 25 points, 22 blocks and eight block kills.

It was Joliet Catholic's second Silver title in three years at Autumnfest. The Angels have won five of their last six matches.

Nahas, a LaSalle recruit, missed most of the ASICS Challenge because of a back injury suffered while crashing into the bleachers at Marian Central. Since her return on Oct. 4, she has been a steadying all-around influence for Angels coach Christine Scheibe.

“Sarah has been a captain all year long, but this weekend we saw her step up and take control of the team,” Scheibe said. “Before the third game against Naperville Central, she called her teammates together, talked to them, inspired them, and they came out fighting.

“I credit our inspired play in that game to her.”

Other standouts for Joliet Catholic (18-15-1) at Autumnfest were senior outside hitter Taylor Zurliene (46 kills, 43 digs) and sophomore outside hitter Emily Holbrook (38 kills, 33 digs).

abaranek@tribpub.com

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