NORMAL — Reaching the state championship is no small feat, especially when the opponent is a defending champion. For the Central Catholic Saints, standing in their way of a first-place trophy was Breese Mater Dei. The Knights swept the IHSA Class 2A title match a year ago, and returned aiming for a repeat.
In a thrilling match from start to finish, the Saints (35-4) fell just short of first place. The Knights capitalized on two straight Central Catholic errors to break a 23-23 tie in set three of Saturday’s IHSA Class 2A State final at CEFCU Arena in Normal to win their second consecutive title, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23.
“A little bit bittersweet,” Central Catholic head coach Jenny Menendez said. “We obviously wanted to come out on top, but I’m super proud of how all of them played. Today is not our day, but I think we got a taste of what that looks like. In about a year, I think you’ll see us back up here.”
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After the Saints took set one 25-19, the Knights responded with a 25-20 victory in set two. Central Catholic jumped out to a 14-9 advantage in the third frame after a kill by Aubrey Fair. Mater Dei used a 7-2 run to tie the set at 16-16.
A pair of errors by the Saints gave the Knights their first lead of the set at 18-16, but kills by Kampbell Niepagen, Addison Hoeniges and Avery Wuebbels ignited Central Catholic in front 19-18.
With their backs against the wall trailing 23-21, Fair delivered a kill for the Saints before a Lauren O’Brien ace tied the set at 23-23. The Knights then scored two straight tallies to win the set, and ultimately the match…