McAuley Advances To IHSA State Girls Volleyball Final

NORMAL, IL — Updated, 9:59 p.m. Mother McAuley High School advanced to the IHSA girls volleyball final, after winning a squeaker of a semi-final against a touch Edwardsville High School team Friday evening at ISU’s Redbird Arena.

The Mighty Macs battled the Edwardsville Tigers answering point for point in a nailbiting first set of the Class 4A semi-final. The teams tied the game 27-27, when Edwardsville scored the match point winning 29-27.

But McAuley got its bearings and bounced back winning the second set 25-21 and forcing a third game.

The Macs surged past the Ewardsville Tigers in the third set, winning 25-16 and advancing to the state final.

It was “Mac Out” for McAuley’s loyal student section, who’ve been dressing in different themes throughout the season. Students dressed entirely in the school colors of red, white and gold, and waved gold pon poms throughout the match.

McAuley will face Metea Valley, of Aurora, in the IHSA Class 4A final.

The losers of the Class 4A semi-final will play for third and fourth place at the IHSA final in Normal at approximately 7:25 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.

The Class 4A state championship will follow starting around 8:55 p.m. .