Timothy Christian could have a chance to rewrite history this season. If the Trojans do, they will make history.
Four years ago, Timothy Christian took a 32-match winning streak into the Class 2A supersectional at Lisle and suffered a heartbreaking 21-25, 25-14, 25-21 loss to eventual state runner-up Chicago Christian.
Among the players who took the court for Timothy that night were two freshmen — outside hitter Kacie Stoll and libero Hanna Markewycz.
“When people ask me about my favorite moment in high school volleyball, my mind goes straight to that game,” Markewycz said. “To be a freshman on varsity, get to play at that level and be so close to going to state, it would be awesome to get that opportunity again.”
Markewycz, who began playing volleyball in sixth grade, wasn’t always a libero. She was an outside hitter until a few years ago. But she has found a home in the back row, where she has earned all-conference recognition three years running and amassed 879 digs and 169 aces while serve receiving at 94 percent.
“She might very well be the best high school passer I have ever seen,” coach Scott PIersma said. “I never need to worry about Hanna because she knows the game so well that she can read and anticipate better than anyone.
“It will be tough for a girl to come in and play to the level that Hanna has played at for the last four years.”
Piersma will also be hard-pressed to replace Stoll, who recently registered her 1,000th career kill. She also has accounted for 141 blocks and 331 digs during her four-year varsity tenure while terminating at a .315 clip.
“Kacie has been a huge contributor every year,” Piersma said. “She is a phenomenal player who has played many different positions for us because she is so versatile. I don’t think anyone will be able to truly fill the hole that she leaves.”
Stoll’s career has been filled with many memorable moments. Playing in the supersectional as a freshman. Pounding an overpass almost vertically against IC Prep. Any match with Illiana Christian, to whom she has never lost. But mostly, Stoll noted, she will remember her teammates.
“The one thing I will remember the most from high school volleyball has to do with team chemistry,” she said. “Our team jokes, and just having fun on the court. Not necessarily the big wins or the big kills. I’ve always been on teams where the chemistry has been awesome.”
Markewycz and Stoll hope to extend their final season together into mid-November. Timothy (29-1) is the No. 1 seed at Class 3A Nazareth Sectional. If they win there, the Trojans would likely face Chicago Christian — again — in the supersectional at Tinley Park.
A victory at Tinley Park would secure the school’s first-ever trip to Normal.
“That would be an awesome end to the year,” Markewycz said. “We’re just really excited, but we’re going to take it one game at a time.”
And savor each history-making moment.
