There might not be a team in the state more challenge-ready for the state playoffs than Marist.
The RedHawks (25-7) end their regular season this week with matches Tuesday at Joliet Catholic and Thursday at Class 4A powerhouse Benet.
They’re coming off a weekend in to Phoenix where they competed in the Nike Tournament of Champions.
Marist opened play with a 25-18, 24-26, 15-9 victory over Ridge (Arizona), then dropped their second match to Clovis (California) 25-22, 25-20.
The RedHawks closed strong, winning their final three matches, over Ralston Valley (Arizona) 25-10, 25-13, Vintage (California) 25-11, 27-29, 15-10) and Valencia (California) 20-25, 25-23, 15-12.
“The (competition) is a huge reason we take the trip to Arizona, but it’s also at the perfect time in our season,” Marist coach Julie Popp-Hopkins said. “This gives us the opportunity to play teams we have never seen that are going to challenge us in different ways, while letting us work on fine-tuning our play before hitting the postseason.”
Cameron Enright was selected Most Outstanding Player in the Gold Division after compiling 42 kills, 51 digs and seven aces over the five matches.
Other RedHawks who stood out during the tournament were Emily Graff (46 kills, 11 blocks), Anne Marie Stifter (28 kills, 23 blocks), Lizzie Zaleski (126 assists) and Allyssa Rizzo (84 digs).
Middle sister
Lockport senior libero Lindsey Visvardis is part of a volleyball family.
Her older sister, Alyssa, played in the same position for the Porters from 2008 through ’11, and a younger sister, Nikki, is a freshman defensive specialist on the sophomore squad this season.
“It’s been a big part of our lives for so many years now,” Lindsey Visvardis said. “My sister started playing with Lockport in seventh grade. (Then-Lockport coach) Julia Hudson just stuck it in our hearts, and I don’t know any other way.”
Visvardis has 331 digs and 43 aces this season for the Porters.
“She is incredibly mature and level-headed. She’s the heart and soul of our team,” Lockport coach Erika Lange said.
Strangers in the night
When Lincoln-Way East and Sandburg meet Tuesday to break the tie atop the SouthWest Suburban Blue, it will their first get-together this season.
Both are 5-0 in league play, with two matches remaining.
Sandburg closes the regular season Thursday with a conference match at home vs. Homewood-Flossmoor. Lincoln-Way East hosts Joliet Central on Thursday.
Player of the Week
Allyson Cappel, of Lincoln-Way North, is the SouthtownStar Girls Volleyball Player of the Week.
Cappel, a junior outside hitter, had 32 kills and 14 aces as North swept the field in five two-game victories to capture the championship at the Lincoln-Way Central Tournament.
