Peyton Heatherly had a freshman season to dream of three years ago.
She earned the starting setter spot for Mother McAuley, ultimately helping lead the Mighty Macs to the Class 4A state championship.
But over her sophomore and junior seasons, McAuley lost in the sectional final to rival Marist.
“It was hard. I knew what I was missing,” Heatherly said. “State was all I knew after freshman year. If we have the opportunity (to get back), we should give it our all. I’m going to go out and give 100%. If it doesn’t go our way, I can leave with no regrets.”
Heatherly dished out 25 assists and added three kills on Nov. 5 as Mother McAuley defeated Marist 25-22, 25-21 to win the Class 4A Argo Sectional, an instant classic played in front of an enthusiastic crowd in the iconic gym.
Also starring for the Macs in the sectional win were senior Jayce Prohaska (six kills, 10 digs, three blocks) and Riley Wilson (four kills), juniors Keira McQuillan (10 kills, seven digs) and Ava Calle (11 digs) and sophomore Chyla Jukes (five kills, block).
Heatherly, a Coastal Carolina recruit, has had the Mighty Macs running in high gear all season. But the lineup took that offense to a new level against Marist in a match that featured one crazy momentum swing after another.
One second-set point featured 10-plus rallies back and forth.
“This year we’ve worked even harder in practice,” Heatherly said. “We’re working hard on our mental game. We were having so much fun tonight. I know I can set anyone and they’ll put a ball down.”
Prohaska, McQuillan and Jukes all delivered with clutch kills down the stretch. McAuley trailed 10-6 early in the second set.
Prohaska is a three-year varsity player.
“Tonight was definitely a build-up of the last two years,” she said. “Everyone who’s been on the team the past two years, we’ve known what this game is all about. We study their team so much. It’s being so prepared and knowing exactly what this environment is going to be like.”
Sophomore Haven Enselman (20 assists) and seniors Taylor Berg (11 kills, 10 digs, two aces), Maggie Kurpeikis (10 kills), Ariella Link (10 digs) and Kate Steinmetz (three blocks, two kills) led Marist (32-5).
The RedHawks were the two-time defending Class 4A state champs and were consistently ranked in the Top 10 nationally by MaxPreps.
Kurpeikis is a Michigan recruit and Berg is a Western Michigan recruit.
“For this team, it was the day-to-day direct focus,” coach Jordan Vidovic said. “There was no drama, no discrepancies. It was all business, all the time and a bunch of fun. It started with Maggie and Taylor leading. They’re two of our all-time best.”