Nazareth Academy girls volleyball seniors Jane Manecke and Beth Surowiec were called up to the varsity in time for the Roadrunners’ run in the IHSA Class 3A tournament which ended with a runner-up showing. But the program struggled the last two seasons, especially last year when Nazareth won just three games.
Not much was expected this season under new coach Esai Velez. But the Roadrunners have come on strong down the stretch with victories in seven of their last nine matches. Monday night at the Class 3A De La Salle Supersectional, Nazareth punched its state ticket for the fourth time in six years with a 27-25, 25-18 victory over Fenwick.
“It’s so overwhelming. This team worked so hard for what we did,” said Surowiec, who had nine digs and four kills. “We left it all on the court, this team wanted it.”
“It’s awesome. I’m so excited,” said Manecke, who finished with nine kills. “It’s so great after last year.”
Velez said he was hoping to see gradual improvement from the team this season. But he didn’t see a trip downstate coming.
“I don’t know. I was very slow-paced and wanted to see how this year would go,” he said. “Knowing the kids and the program, I knew last year wasn’t fair to them with the record, so this year I told them, ‘One day at a time, one day at a time.’”
Fenwick (26-12) was a point away from winning the first set and had the serve. But kills from Manecke and Surowiec helped Nazareth (20-18) get the next three points and win the set.
The Friars started the second set with four consecutive points, but again the Roadrunners showed their mettle and went on an 11-2 run to seize control of the match. Fenwick would draw no closer than three points the rest of the night.
“Before playoffs started, we talked about how we were going down to state. There was no other option,” Surowiec said.
Manecke said that along with Velez, an influx of new talent helped fuel Nazareth’s turnaround season.
“We’ve got a lot more girls on the team,” she said. “Everyone knew after last year it was time to turn around. [Velez] is awesome. We’ve got a great coaching staff.”
Nazareth got contributions from junior outside hitter Talia Surendran (seven kills, six digs, ace), junior setter Madeline Briscoe (eight assists, ace), and sophomore libero Tess Tortorello (five digs, three assists).
Junior outside hitter Bella Gray led Fenwick with 13 kills and two aces. Brookfield resident Lilly Boyle added three kills for the Friars, who were trying to get to state for the first time.
“It was a heck of a match,” said Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn. “The kids just fought so hard.”
Up next for Nazareth is a Class 3A semifinal against Providence Catholic at Illinois State University, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. The winner gets the winner between Normal U-High and Prairie Ridge for the championship, Nov. 15.
“I was dreaming of going back down to state every year. It was such an amazing experience,” Surowiec said. “I’m so glad my team can do it again this year.”
“Going down my freshman year was such an experience and being able to go back my senior year, it’s just a great way to finish off my Nazareth career,” Manecke said.
