The Great Marist Comeback!

Marist Volleyball Seniors serve as captains in 2017 – Image courtesy from Marist College Athletics

If getting into rhythm was an issue for Marist senior Grace Green, she put that to rest early on Friday’s class 4A state semifinal match against Crystal Lake Central.

With just a few points in, the 5-foot-8 libero gave her a good view of the floor digging up a spike. It was game time, and they were more than prepared.

“The second we stepped into this gym to practice the other day, I think we were comfortable right off the bat,” Green said. “We walked in, and made it our own. We controlled the gym right from the start and coming into Friday we wanted to keep it going.”

Green felt very confident about her fellow teammates after Marist’s recent victory at the Redbird Arena, where they finished with an overwhelming final score of 25-14.

Green managed to get 11 digs for the RedHawks, while her fellow teammate Savannah Thompson added nine kills. Maggie Meyer, another fellow teammate, contributed seven kills and Molly Murrihy had 20 assists.

Madeline Timmerman and Camryn Hausler had five kills each for Crystal Lake Central.

After many Marist victories and defeating the formidable Minooka, Green predicted that a potential rematch against Crystal Lake Central would happen again sometime in the state finals.

“We definitely wanted to see them in the championship,” Meyer said. “But regardless of the opponent, we would play just as hard.”

This time, Marist is the favorite and center of attention at the state finals. In an interview with a Chicago Tribune reporter, Meyer also had this to say.

“That just makes the game even more fun,” Meyer said with a smile. “The competitiveness level will be high, and fighting for who is going to be first in the state and high nationally, that’s going to be a tough fight.”

In the end, Marist will return home with highest finish at state in the program’s history since 2011, after placing fourth.