McAuley comes calling Thursday at St. Francis

Seldom does St. Francis host a volleyball team at Spyglass Center with the same caliber of championship pedigree.

The Spartans will Thursday night.

The two most storied girls volleyball programs in Illinois history meet in Wheaton when Mother McAuley pays a visit to St. Francis.

The two programs have combined for 21 state championships, McAuley accounting for 13 and St. Francis eight. No. 1 St. Francis (13-0) is poised to win its ninth this fall, and already owns a victory over defending Class 4A state champion St. Charles East.

Thursday will be special. Veteran St. Francis coach Peg Kopec said she's only hosted Mother McAuley once, "and that was a long time ago." The two have also met at Mother McAuley's Nike Challenge.

"It will be a great match for the people around here," Kopec said. "We expect a good turnout. It's fun for people that like volleyball and fun for the kids. A win-win."

The newly realigned Suburban Christian Conference has freed up St. Francis to schedule a few more nonconference games this fall. The Spartans host Downers Grove South later this season. St. Francis will make a return trip to Mother McAuley next season.

Loaded field at Wheaton: Last year's Wheaton Classic hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South served as a Class 4A sectional preview. Eventual sectional semifinalists Benet, Naperville Central, Naperville North and Downers Grove South were also the Final Four in Wheaton. In both cases Benet topped Naperville Central in the final.

This year's tournament could be even better.

The field has expanded to 24 varsity teams. Joining DuPage County heavyweights Benet, Naperville North, Hinsdale Central and WW South are undefeated Glenbrook South and Marist, as well as Lemont. Glenbrook South features 6-foot-4 junior outside Ellen Chapman, committed to Wisconsin.

"We're striving to make sure that we have one of the most competitive tournaments around," WW South coach Bill Schreier said. "The (Nike Challenge) has its share, but I like to think we're right there, showcasing Illinois teams. I think we are easily the best all-Illinois team."

Pool play gets under way Thursday evening. Hinsdale Central, already with wins over Naperville North and Benet, is the No. 1 seed. The tournament concludes Saturday.

"We go into every tournament with the same goal - to beat our seed," Hinsdale Central coach Sheralynn Kellough said. "Now obviously it's different being a No. 1 seed. Either way it's going to be a great experience."

Silver as good as gold: It shouldn't be a surprise, but the West Suburban Silver is shaping up to be quite a conference race.

Lyons Township (7-1), ranked among the top 100 teams nationally according to PrepVolleyball.com, hasn't done anything to change its status as the favorite.

Hinsdale Central (9-1) has raised some eyebrows with its wins at Naperville North and against Benet. The Red Devils also rallied to beat a talented, albeit young, York team in three games in their first conference match.

"On paper we don't look like some of the other top-ranked teams," Kellough said. "We don't have a lot of elite club players and we aren't super tall. But we work really well as a group, fight hard and defensively have been strong."

Keying that defense are juniors Jamie Netisingha and Natalia Skiba. Netisingha plays libero for Hinsdale Central. Skiba has garnered AAU All-America honors for her club team at libero.

"She's very aggressive and a really, really smart player," Kellough said of Skiba. "She's a 5-9 player that plays like she's 6-1. She reads well and moves to the ball so fast. I have to remind myself that those two are only juniors."

Hinsdale Central hosts Glenbard West tonight, and goes to Downers Grove North next Tuesday. The improved Trojans (5-1), led by senior Britta Baarstad and standout sophomore Jessie Tulacka, already have knocked off Naperville Central and Downers Grove South.

"They may be overlooked a little bit," Kellough said of Downers Grove North. "That's a good team."