Benet Volleyball Looks Back On Season

When expectations for a high school sports program reach high levels, it can be difficult to look at a season as a success unless lofty goals are reached.

Benet Academy's girls volleyball team was left to ponder that after dropping a three-set thriller to Hinsdale South in the Class 4A Romeoville Sectional finals. Despite a 32-7 record, a regional championship, a No. 1 seed at the sectional and a fourth consecutive berth in the sectional title match, it was hard for the Redwings to initially grasp just how successful the just-completed season was.

"It's kind of crazy that the expectations here have been set so high that sometimes it's unfair," Benet coach Brad Baker said. "You can't base whether a team is successful or not on if you win a state title. You win 32 matches, win a tournament (Autumnfest at Glenbard East), you're in a sectional championship, that's the fourth sectional championship we've been to in a row, we're extremely proud of this team and what the girls accomplished."

Benet struggled early despite an ultra-talented lineup, but when Baker made some adjustments, the Redwings soared. They reached the finals of the prestigious Mizuno Cup at Great Lakes Center in Lisle before losing to conference foe Joliet Catholic, which has advanced to the Class 3A state tournament this weekend. The Redwings followed that up with the win at Autumnfest, another of the top tournaments in Illinois. Benet won 13 matches in a row during that period in time.

"I don't know after the first seven matches if anybody thought we'd be standing at a sectional championship match," Baker said. "There's no way anybody would think we'd have this season, winning Autumnfest, winning 32 matches again, the way we started the season. These girls ended up staying strong and fighting to have the season that they had."

Since Baker took over for Tammy Dotson in 2007, the Redwings have been on a roll. They won a regional crown and reached the sectional finals while going 35-4 in his first year. Then, in 2008, Baker's program enjoyed its signature moment, finishing second in Class 4A with a 40-2 mark. Benet then won 32 matches and another sectional crown last year, before winning 32 and reaching the sectional finals again. Baker has won 139 matches in his four years at the helm.

With those accomplishments come great expectations. Benet will rely on returning Division I talents up top in Meghan Haggerty and Jenna Jendryk to keep that tradition rolling next year.

"It's mainly just a disappointment because our big goal was to go to state and it's just disappointing that it had to end so soon," senior setter Kaitlyn King said.

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