Marist Girls Volleyball Celebrates First State Championship

CHICAGO, IL — The Marist High School girls volleyball program has reached the pinnacle. The RedHawks capped off a dominant 41-1 season over the weekend when they won the IHSA Class 4A State Championship with a victory over Minooka High School in the championship match at Redbird Arena in Normal.

Savannah Thompson led the RedHawks with 15 kills and 12 digs in the match win over Minooka, Head Coach Jordan Vidovic said. Molly Murrihy added 32 assists and four blocks while Grace Green totaled 15 digs for Marist in the effort that produced the program's first state championship.

"Words cant describe how proud I am of this group of girls," Vidovic said. "Our 9 seniors led the way all season long and they committed to everything we talked about on Day 1 of the season every single day in practice."

The RedHawks won the state title on Saturday, and were greeted on Monday with a victory rally led by the marching band through the halls of the school.

It was a dominant season for Marist from start to finish. The RedHawks ended their season by winning 32 matches in a row after their only defeat of the season came to Mother McAuley in September. Murrihy had more than 1,100 assists, Green more than 530 digs and 1,200 in her career and Thompson more than 400 kills.

The team captured the East Suburban Conference title before winning state.

After disposing of Crystal Lake-Central High School in the semifinals, Marist beat Minooka 22-25, 25-22, 25-15 in the final.

"They did things the right way, held each other accountable everyday, and carried themselves in a way that represents what Marist Volleyball is all about," Vidovic. "Our whole program fed off of each others success and that is something we pride ourselves on. To be the first girls volleyball state champ in school history is something these girls will never forget and their impact will be felt for years to come for our program."

This might be the first state state volleyball title for Marist, but it isn't the first time a RedHawk team was the best in Illinois when it comes to the sport. The RedHawk boys won state championships in 2002 and 2010.

More Media Coverage Of Marist's State Title: ABC 7 Chicago / Beverly Review / Daily Southtown

Photo: Marist High School logo