Nov. 14--NORMAL, Ill. -- Marian Central experienced a different side of the state volleyball tournament on Friday.
After losing to powerhouses Breese Mater Dei and Joliet Catholic in their past two trips to state, the Hurricanes learned the joys of playing the role of the veteran team.
Behind a match-high 14 kills from junior outside hitter Sydney Nemtuda, the Hurricanes recorded a 25-15, 25-17 victory over Mascoutah in a 3A semifinal at Redbird Arena.
Marian Central (38-3) will try to win the program's first state title Saturday against Joliet Catholic (26-12).
The Hurricanes' first trip to state since finishing second in 2011 led to a quick defeat of the first-time state-qualifying Indians. Marian Central, winner of 11 straight regional titles, finished third in 2010 and also qualified for state in 2005, 1993, 1987 and 1978.
"It was a weird feeling to have maybe more seasoned girls than our opponent which had a different feel to it," Marian Central's seventh-year coach Laura Watling said. "I'm not used to having that non-underdog feel, but I liked it. The girls definitely rose to the challenge."
Mascoutah (32-8) scored the first point of the match, but the Marian Central never trailed again. The Indians showed their inexperience, committing numerous hitting errors. They had 13 errors to 16 kills, with Marian Central going for 29 kills and nine errors.
"We definitely felt that inexperience," Mascoutah coach Todd Gober said. "I don't think we played that poorly. (Marian Central) was that crisp."
The Hurricanes defeated both St. Francis and Joliet Catholic during the regular season. St. Francis, which is competing in 4A for the first time this season, is ranked No. 8 in the nation by prepvolleyball.com.
Watling said her team's three-set win over St. Francis on Sept. 1, which ended an eight-match series losing streak dating back to 2010, fueled the Hurricanes' run to state.
"To beat them this year was a great stepping stone and benchmark for us," Watling said.
Nemtuda, a Florida Atlantic recruit, tallied eight kills in the first game.
"We knew they had some good middle hitters, but we worked on our shots and got past their blocks and were unstoppable and all bonded," Nemtuda said.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the match: Sydney Nemtuda, Marian Central, 14 kills, 4 digs.
Key performers: Mascoutah -- Amanda Jung, 5 kills, 5 digs; Maddie Nekola, 9 assists. Marian Central -- McKayla Wuensch, 25 assists; Rachel Giustino, 8 kills, 7 digs.
Saturday's Class 3A schedule
Third place, Mascoutah (32-8) vs. LaSalle-Peru (28-11), 4 p.m.
Championship, Marian Central (38-3) vs. Joliet Catholic (26-12), 5:30 p.m.
Class 1A
Friday's results
Cissna Park d. Clay City, 25-10, 23-25, 25-8
Lanark Eastland d. Kewanee Wethersfield, 26-16, 25-11
Saturday's schedule
Third place, Clay City (30-3) vs. Wethersfield (32-8), 9 a.m.
Championship, Cissna Park (33-5-1) vs. Eastland (39-1-1), 10:30 a.m.
Class 2A
Friday's results
Orion d. Shelbyville, 25-16, 20-25, 25-20
Bloomington Central Catholic d. Timothy Christian, 25-22, 25-21
Saturday's schedule
Third place, Timothy (36-5) vs. Shelbyville (37-4), 12:25 p.m.
Championship, Orion (40-0) vs. Bloomington C.C. (34-5), 1:55 p.m.
