As Lincoln-Way East’s starting libero, Maddie Nirchi is asked to do the dirty work.
It’s the rest of the team that has the big kill or block or dishes out the key assist.
Given an opportunity to claim the spotlight Tuesday, Nirchi didn’t disappoint. Rattling off a huge service run in the second game, Nirchi helped host Lincoln-Way East cruise to a 25-13, 25-10 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Class 4A regional semifinal.
“When I’m back there serving, I feel like it’s all on you,” Nirchi said. “You want to get it over, but sometimes there’s a great float serve.
“The whole team keeps it going, and the defense picks up.”
Nirchi (14 digs, 12 service points), Kailey Hackett (14 assists, 4 kills, 3 aces), Sarah Dobrich (6 kills, 3 blocks), Emma Bruder (10 digs), Josie Wierzal (4 kills) and Lindsey Paulsen (4 kills) led Lincoln-Way East (23-13).
Chasing the program’s first regional title since 2007, the Griffins will play Joliet West Thursday at 6 p.m.
In the previous matchup with H-F, East squeaked out a win in three sets.
“It’s the playoffs, and we were ready to go,” Nirchi said with a smile. “We’ve been taking little steps and hopefully we reach it Thursday.”
With East leading 11-7 in the second set, Nirchi proceeded to pick apart the H-F defense, ripping off 11 straight points, including an ace as the Griffins coasted to the win.
Madeline Hallahan (five kills), Delaney Herkert (seven assists) and Madison Larocca (seven digs) led Homewood-Flossmoor (13-23-1).
Joliet West 25-21-25, Lockport 16-21-19: Joliet West finds itself in new territory this postseason.
No longer the new kids on the block chasing the top-ranked teams, the Tigers earned the fifth seed at the sectional and are the ones being chased.
“Each year since the split, we’ve tried to build, and we have, winning more games each year,” Joliet West coach Al Mart said. “It’s a positive, and the kids are believing in themselves.”
Joliet West (22-14) was paced by Elexis Coleman’s 14 kills with Gemma Cronin (14 assists), Shannon Doran (18 assists), Lauren Stefanski (eight kills), Kelly Doran (six kills) and Nicole Ochs (four aces, eight digs) contributing.
The berth in Thursday’s title game is a first for the program.
Trying to hold off a feisty Lockport team, the Tigers turned to Coleman and the senior outside hitter didn’t disappoint. Coleman powered two huge kills late in the third set to extend West’s lead to 17-14 but saved her best for last.
Her back row kill ripped through Lockport’s back row to give West a 24-19 lead before a Lockport error sealed the win on the next point.
“Elexis stepped up big,” Mart said. “Last year, maybe she doesn’t step up feeling that pressure. As a senior, she’s really come on.”
Lindsey Visvardis (14 digs, two aces), Morgan Valley (seven assists), Meredith Friscia (six kills) and Rachel Napoli (four kills, 14 digs) led Lockport (14-23).
“The entire time playing I thought we won it,” Visvardis said. “We played with passion and desire to win that game. I’m proud of how we played and fought and ended.”
