On the court, Marian Catholic senior Maddie Huekels probably is most effective for the Spartans as a setter. She’s among the Southland leaders this season with 376 assists.
Huekels also is a reliable server, with 138 points and 21 aces. And she can take matters into her own hands, or rather, her left arm, as evidenced by 101 kills.
“She’s a great player,” Marian coach Ryan Summers said. “She works hard, takes whatever I give her and dishes it out. And she’s very dynamic.
“Maddie runs whatever offense I tell her to run. She takes extra points and steals them.”
Off the court, she most definitely is a giver.
In November 2013, Huekels and a group of Marian students brought lunches, coats and clothes to give to homeless people on Michigan Avenue.
Additionally, one woman, who had family members with her, received the backpack off Huekels’ back.
Over the summer, she traveled with another student group to Kentucky to help needy residents by rehabbing or repairing their homes.
“I love helping people who are less fortunate,” Huekels said. “My family raised me that way.”
It’s been a busy four-year career at Marian for the Dyer, Indiana, native, who is considering offers from Loyola (New Orleans), Assumption, Caldwell and Beloit.
As a freshman, Huekels got a surprise at the end of the regular season when she was pulled up to the varsity to be a backup for junior setter Colleen Rhynne.
Huekels got another surprise during a regional match when she heard her named called by Summers.
“I was keeping stats and he (shouted), ‘Huekels, you’re in!’ I said, ‘Who, me?’ ” she recalled with a laugh. “I ran in real quick. Another girl who got pulled up with me also got in. We were so excited.”
The Spartans made it to state that season, finishing fourth in Class 3A.
Huekels has been the No. 1 setter for the Spartans since her junior season. She had 604 assists in 2013 and, according to Summers, evolved into being one of the team’s cornerstones.
“She’s a good kid all over the place,” Summers said. “She’s one of the team leaders as far as picking up other kids. She plays almost every point, and when she’s not in she’s more into the game than if she’s in, if that’s even possible.”
A return to state, she said, would be the ultimate finish to her career at Marian. The Spartans (14-17) won’t be a favorite to do so in Class 4A.
They are, however, on an upswing.
Over the weekend at the Lincoln-Way Central Tournament, Marian went 3-2, beating Chicago Christian, and, later, Lincoln-Way West in the Bronze Division title match.
A week ago the Spartans beat Joliet Catholic in a 25-20, 18-25, 25-21 thriller, with Huekels doing some dishing in a less-conventional manner.
“I run a 5-1, but I do like to swing,” she said. “Against Joliet Catholic it was Senior Night, and coach let me swing front row so the other setter could play. I got a kill from the outside. That was pretty cool.”
It got better.
“Everyone was there (for Senior Night). It was a huge crowd,” she said. “On the last point we were up and I swung for the last kill. That was really awesome.”
Only one thing could top it.
“Going to state (as a freshman) was so incredible,” Huekels said. “I hope this year we can make it to state and I can experience it with this team.”
