Lia Schneider was back wearing the orange libero’s jersey Tuesday night for St. Charles East, and that was a good thing.
A very good thing.
“We missed her,” Saints coach Jennie Kull said.
Schneider guided the seventh-seeded host Saints to a 25-12, 25-14 win over 10th-seeded Hampshire in a Class 4A regional semifinal.
The Saints (19-17), who will face South Elgin (31-4) at 6 p.m. Thursday in the regional championship match, play a tough regular-season schedule to get ready for the playoffs.
Schneider, a junior, loves seeing that pay off this time of year.
“I think we can play better, but this is one of our better ones,” Schneider said. “When we play harder teams, it makes it easier to come out against these teams.
“We see so many different hitters. It definitely gives us a lot of confidence.”
Schneider was back in the lineup after missing the Autumnfest Tournament at Glenbard East and playing under the weather in the regular-season finale against Downers Grove North.
While she only had four digs, one was of the highlight variety, a headlong dive that led to a point for the Saints in Game 2.
“It’s nice to have her back,” Kull said. “They feel comfortable. The kids feel like they can step out and she’ll help them. She’s a diamond — she sure is.”
The Saints cruised in Game 1. Hampshire (14-21) came out strong in Game 2, however.
The Whip-Purs led 6-4 before St. Charles East got on a roll. Behind 10 straight service points from Maya Lopez, which included three aces, the Saints regained control.
“It was mistake after mistake,” Hampshire coach Will Benenhaley said. “We were giving them the points and they ran with it. I was using timeouts. I was throwing people in, trying to slow down what I could. They came to play.”
Kull pointed to Lopez’s serving run as a sign of growth.
“She would miss her serves at the beginning of the season,” Kull said. “That was a tribute to her. That was awesome. She’s grown and really taken it upon herself to be successful in that area.”
The 6-4 deficit quickly turned into a 20-8 lead for the Saints.
“We’ve been talking about that all season, about making those runs and being confident in those situations,” Kull said. “I think the kids did a really good job.
“I think that was really telling right there to keep that momentum and keep moving like that. That was a huge step for us.”
Jacey Lambert paced Hampshire with five kills. Bella Mosquera led the Saints with four kills and Lopez added four digs.
The Saints now turn their attention to South Elgin. They beat the Storm handily on Oct. 13 by scores of 25-11, 25-14.
“That last season is over,” Kull said of the regular season. “We have to focus on this season. My kids are fortunately playing well, so that’s good, but we have to prepare.
“They’re a good team. They have very talented players. We have to be ready to play. They’re seeded above us, so we’re the underdogs.”
South Elgin 25-25, Rockford Jefferson 8-11: Alyssa Worden had 12 kills to lead the second-seeded Storm in the other semifinal.
Before the match, Worden became the first girls volleyball player from a U-46 district school to commit to a Big Ten school since 1992 when she announced her choice of Iowa.
“Alyssa going to Iowa is not only a great accomplishment for her but a big deal for South Elgin volleyball and U-46,” South Elgin coach Joni Plach said. “We are so proud of her and so excited to see her represent South Elgin in the Big Ten.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
