NORMAL — Nazareth senior Lexi Van Eekeren didn’t know what to expect when she transferred from Benet following her sophomore year.
Playing in two state championship games certainly wasn’t on her radar.
But that’s exactly what happened. Van Eekeren, a setter and right-side hitter who is committed to Hawaii, racked up five kills, 10 assists, eight digs and an ace during the Roadrunners’ 30-28, 25-19 loss to Mascoutah in the Class 3A state championship game at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena on Nov. 14.
“It’s an amazing way to finish out a high school career,” Van Eekeren said. “I’m so thankful these past two years because I transferred after my sophomore year (to) here and we weren’t expected to make it downstate either year.
“This team, we had such a great bond on the court. Finishing with this group of girls, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
The Roadrunners (28-14) have now won five state trophies, all in the past seven completed seasons. The last two were the most unexpected. They had a losing record in the regular season in Van Eekeren’s junior year but reached the 3A final before losing to Normal U-High 25-20, 25-20.
The match against heavily favored Mascoutah (38-4) was much closer than anticipated. The Roadrunners rallied from a five-point deficit to tie the first set at 23 on a kill from Van Eekeren and fought off five set points before the Indians prevailed.
“That’s been us all year,” Nazareth coach Esai Velez said. “This is a team that doesn’t quit. I’m very proud of them.”
Van Eekeren, who had seven kills, 14 assists, five digs, two aces and a block in a semifinal win over Geneva, landed two kills and then served three straight points, including an ace, to give Nazareth a 7-4 lead in the second set against Mascoutah.
The Roadrunners led 12-7 before the Indians rallied to capture their first state championship.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of smiles on the faces of the Roadrunners. Senior outside hitter Sadie Quinlan, who had four kills, one fewer than team leaders Van Eekeren and senior outside hitter Talia Surendran, said Van Eekeren’s personality was a major reason for that.
“She just has an incredible vibe on the court,” Quinlan said. “She’s always energetic.
“She’s always positive. She’s always smiling. She’s always there to uplift everyone.”
That’s what Van Eekeren did in her high school finale, landing kills from both pins and the middle and setting up her teammates for success. She finished the season with 127 kills, 189 assists, 98 digs, 23 aces and 17 blocks.
“Everyone has such great energy and attitude and I have so much fun playing with everyone,” Quinlan said. “Naz isn’t the first time me and Lexi have played together.
“We played club together on 14U so it was really great to get to have another chance to play with her again.”