Kate Goudreau as St. Charles East in an exciting semi-final

NORMAL – Kate Goudreau from St. Charles East, an older outsider with no plans to play college, proved Friday night that she is the most effective of one of the best.

Even with lots of star power on the pitch within the State 4A semi-finals against steadfast Mother McAuley, Goudreau made an exciting performance for the Saints.

One person was under no circumstances surprised.

“That is how Kate has been all season,” said St. Charles East Jennie Kull. She is real. He has a heavy hand and may move the ball and shoot.

“She’s just great.”

Great Goudreau indeed. Killed 20 enemies and added 12 kicks because the Saints pushed the Mighty Macs to the brink of a loss 25-27, 25-17, 25-20 on the Redbird Arena in Illinois.

Lexi Crossen topped Goudreau with nine kills, while senior Lia Schneider made 19 kicks within the Libero and senior quarterback Sarah Musial made 26 assists.

While McAuley (38-3) rallied to advance to the state title match against Benet (37-4), St. Charles East (33-8) face Barrington (39-2) for third place on Saturday at 19:25.

It was business as usual for Goudreau.

“It’s probably one of the best I’ve ever played, and it’s my last 12 months, so it’s extremely exciting to have an excellent last 12 months,” said Goudreau. “I’m pleased with the way it all went.”

Things looked bleak early Friday for the Saints as McAuley (38-3) jumped 9-1 within the opening game.

“I feel you’re stepping into for the primary time on this great environment and you’re considering,” Oh my God, “said Kull. “It was overwhelming. I do know McAuley has been here over and over and that is the primary time these guys are really here.

“Once they’ve settled in, we at all times talk in regards to the point-for-point game. We began to chip off. “

Goudreau made eight kills because the Saints fought to force a 22-22 draw. St. Charles East only led once in 24-23 before scoring the last two points of the sport.

“It wasn’t an ideal start, but at that time we knew there was nothing we could do about it,” said Goudreau. “We just had to maintain fighting and do our greatest”

McAuley forced a 3rd game, winning 25-17. St. Charles East then took the lead 17-13, but service and hit errors kept the Mighty Macs in the sport.

The Saints had six service errors within the third game.

“I feel that is called serving,” said Kull. “I feel in case you miss six serves, you will likely have a tough time winning the sport. They tried to be aggressive.

– I understand, but we just needed to stop these sites.

McAuley struggled back to take the lead 19-18. In the following paragraph, the disputed summons went against the Saints, and from there the Mighty Macs rolled out.

Michigan recruit Ellie White realized 4 of her 23 high-level kills to win.

Each teams missed one another within the regular season, but each played the Asics Challenge, hosted by the Mighty Macs, and the Autumnfest.

McAuley coach Jen DeJarld got here out in awe of the Saints.

“That they had an incredible blockage,” said DeJarld. “Ich libero kicked every little thing. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen them play. I just think it is a team that gets higher every week throughout the season.

Then Kull returned to the enjoyment the team displayed during their improbable comeback in the primary game.

“They only play for themselves,” said Kull. “If it could end there, it might be perfect. The way in which they played the sport and got here back was a band I do know.

Kull ended her coaching profession at St. Charles East, winning the trophy for third place.

“It have to be a fairy tale that ends,” said Kull. “These kids have worked really hard to get the seniors here and me here. I could not be more thankful to this group of women.

“They really made it occur.”

Paul Johnson is a contract reporter for The Beacon-News.