Recent returns key Saints’ run

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St. Charles East’s Caroline Niski (right) celebrates with teammate Samantha Szarmach after defeating St. Charles North 25-16, 25-17 in the Geneva 4A Volleyball Sectional semifinals Tuesday. Sandy Bressner – sbressner@kcchronicle.com

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GENEVA – St. Charles East seniors Caroline Niski and Jacqui Seidel walked gingerly in step Tuesday night, each sporting a Cramer ice bag wound tightly around one ankle.

Whether it was making a cameo like Niski or smacking 10 kills like Seidel, keeping those ailments under wraps was crucial.

From one gimp to another, the two Saints shared a hug after East swept St. Charles North 25-16, 25-17 to win an IHSA Class 4A Geneva Sectional semifinal. They realize their full strength will come later, but for right now simply sharing a court does just fine.

“Having Caroline’s leadership and her energy and overall skill back out there made everyone so happy and definitely gave us another lift going into the match,” Seidel said.

Niski substituted into the match with East ahead, 23-16, in Game 2, and immediately paid dividends in her first action since spraining her ankle during the Mizuno Cup in October. Freshman setter Erienne Barry delivered an easy pass to the Maryland-bound outside hitter for a kill that kept a raucous East crowd yelling in deep throat through the end of the match.

Top-seeded East (31-6) seized its fans’ and everyone else’s attention with a 10-1 run to open the match. After outlasting the North Stars 21-25, 25-12, 25-22 during the Upstate Eight Conference season, a runaway was the admittedly the last thing the Saints imagined.

“I feel like we were expecting maybe a little more [from North],” East junior Olivia Desormey said, “but I think we just came out totally strong and it went a lot better for us than we thought it would.”

The catalysts? Defending their 4A state title and the recent returns of Seidel – who starred in Saturday’s Schaumburg Regional final victory against Willobrook – and Niski.

No. 5 North (25-12) struggled with its communication and block coverage early in the match.

First-year coach Lindsey Hawkins, an East alum, thought her team was ready for what always proves to be an up-tempo match and marveled at the Saints’ depth and skill.

“Despite the end, we had a great season because a lot of people underestimated us this season,” Hawkins said. “A lot of people did not think they could win, and they came out and wanted to show that they could win and they could compete. Overall, I’m so proud of them.”

North led as late as 8-7 in Game 2. Sarah Clarkson collected seven assists while Karlie Giesler and Allie Van Dril smacked three kills apiece.

The Saints advanced to face third-seeded York in the sectional finals at 7 p.m. Thursday. East coach Jennie Kull said she was unsure how much Caroline Niski will play after doctors cleared her Monday, but added she is comfortable with the players who have filled in the void.

Junior Sam Szarmach had six kills while Niski’s sophomore sister, Meghan, a starter on last year’s team, contributed 11 digs and eight kills.

Freshman setter Barry added 22 kills and credited her Club Fusion experience and a talented supporting cast for calming any postseason nerves.

“It’s amazing,” Barry said. “If I set the ball up to anyone, I know it’s going to get down. I know. I have a lot of trust in my teammates.”

Even if they’re on the mend.

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