Illinois 4A powers trading places at Wheaton Classic

<p>Wheaton, IL - The roller coaster at the top of the state rankings change week by week and today set the tone for another change. <strong>Benet</strong>, the tournament runner-up the past three classics, and last year's 4A state runner-up got their turn at the top by upsetting <strong>Marist</strong> in three sets: 22-25, 29-27, 25-22. This is revenge for the past two finals where the Red Wings fell to the Red Hawks in three-set barn burners.</p> <p>Hitting, serving and offensive strategy in most sports take precedence over the defense, but the power of the pass ran long, deep and high, going through Benet's <strong>Hattie Monson (2020, 5'4, L)</strong> in the back row. She handled the attack of Marist by saving long balls; careening touches from the block; deep hits - keeping the ball in play; and passing high to allow setter <strong>Rachel Muisenga (2020, 5'11, S) </strong>to run the offense with clarity and precision. The benefit of this great passing and setting definitely was <strong>Sophie Gregus (2020, 6'0 OH)</strong>, and the other Red Wing hitters. Muisenga and Gregus were awarded for their efforts being named to the all-tournament team. Monson, playing a position that can easily get overlooked, played to well not to receive the Most Valuable Player of the tourney. </p> <p>Marist was NOT the team taken from the top spot in many of the states rankings, but <strong>Sandburg</strong> took the biggest beating, losing their first two matches of the year. After escaping a three set tussle with <strong>Lincoln-Way East</strong>, they fell rather easily to Benet and then lost the third place contest to <strong>Plainfield North</strong>. Co-host of the tournament, <strong>Wheaten Warrenville South</strong>, loss to Benet early in the day, then won their next two matches, finishing in fifth place.  <br /> <br /> <strong>Gold Nuggets: Things you may have missed...</strong></p> <p><strong>Whole in the MIDDLE<br /> </strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Not <em>ONE MIDDLE</em> received all-tourney accolades. Here's a few middle hitters we liked from the Gold Bracket:</span></p> <p><strong>Maeve Nelligan, 2020, 6'0, MH, Benet</strong><br /> Granted: Benet did not need the middles to get the swings to win, but in the match against WWS, Maeve frustrated the Tigers middle attack. She also closed the block with her pin hitters.</p> <p><strong>Mary Claire Brusick, 2022, 6'0 MH, Marist<br /> </strong>The sophomore saw valuable playing time in a tournament taht is as impressive as any. With each opportunity, experence is gained.</p> <p><strong>Ellie Watson, 2021, 6'1, MH, Sandburg<br /> </strong>Another underclassman blocking strong for a state contender.<br /> <strong><br /> Allie Sorenson, 2021, 6'3, MH, Lincoln-Way East<br /> </strong>A competitor that fits in with a team full of strong players. I've seen Ali take charge in matches when they need her to.</p> <p><strong>Gold Bracket final placings and All-Tournament selection below.</strong></p> <p><strong>Gold Bracket Finals</strong></p> <p>Championship: Benet def. Marist,  22-25, 29-27, 25-22<br /> Third place: Plainfield North def. Sandburg, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23<br /> Fifth place: Wheaton Warrenville South def. Waubonsie Valley, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25<br /> Seventh place: Lincoln-Way East def. Plainfield Central, 25-21, 25-8</p> <p><strong>All Tournament Team</strong></p> <p>Hattie Monson, 2020, L, Benet, Most Valuable Player</p> <p>Sarah Burau, 2020, S, WW South<br /> Madison Cuchran, 2020, L, Downers Grove North<br /> Trinity Evans, 2020, OH, Waubonsie Valley<br /> Sophie Gregus, 2020, OH, Benet<br /> Camryn Hannah, 2020, RS/OH, Marist <br /> Taylor Landfair, 2020, OH, Plainfield Central<br /> Nikki Jones, 2021, S, Marist<br /> Rachel Krasowski, 2020, L, Sandburg<br /> Anna Loberg, 2021, S, Geneva<br /> <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Zayna Meyer, 2021, S/RS, WW South<br /> </span>Rachel Muisenga, 2020, S, Benet<br /> Jess Pappas, 2020, OH, Lincoln-Way East<br /> Amy Schwem, 2020, S, Lemont<br /> Trinity Sheridan, 2020, RS, Prairie Ridge<br /> Ella Wrobel, 2022, OH, Plainfield North</p>