Back-to-Back Macs! | Mother McAuley tops Benet for second straight 4A title
By Randy Whalen
Correspondent
When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the start of the 2020 girls volleyball season from August to spring of the following year, it also delayed the debut of Ellie White.
When that season got underway in March 2021 with a home victory over Joliet Catholic, White became the first freshman to start for Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld.
Last weekend, White capped her career by helping the Mighty Macs to their second straight Class 4A state championship.
The senior outside hitter smacked a match-high with 18 kills and added eight digs, an assist and a block as McAuley (38-3) toppled Benet, 25-22, 18-25, 25-16, in the state title match, played Nov. 11 at CEFCU Arena at Illinois State University in Normal.
The state championship is the Macs’ state record 17th, and the fourth time they have won titles in consecutive seasons. Their last back-to-back titles came in 1994 and 1995 in Class AA.
“My four years here came and went so fast,” White said. “To put on this jersey is something special. This year it really hit me and the fact that this was my final match playing for the Mighty Macs, is crazy.
“I’m just super-proud of everyone.”
DeJarld won her fourth title in her 19th season as head coach.
“She’s been so special in so many ways,” DeJarld said of White. “She’s the most humble, sincere person that I’ve ever coached. She helps and encourages everyone. Just her presence elevates the team and everyone elevates their game because of her.”
Benet (39-3) had defeated the Macs in two sets in the championship match of the Glenbard East Autumnfest on Oct. 14.
In the state title match, the Macs bounced back after dropping the second set to take the decisive third set.
With the score at 1-1, White had a tip kill to start a 4-0 spurt which gave them the lead for good. White later tallied back-to-back kills to give McAuley a 16-7 lead.
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