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Motivated by its preseason theme of "pursuing its gold within," Mother McAuley has been named the 2016 MaxPreps' mythical national volleyball champions.
The Mighty Macs, who started the season ranked 42nd, finish atop MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Volleyball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. This week's Top 50 is the final volleyball rankings of 2016.
"Being fresh off the summer Olympics we thought it (the gold theme) was fitting," coach Jen DeJarld said. "We liked the Under Armour commercial about how there is gold in everyone's body and the most being in one's heart."
Mother McAuley, which moved to No. 1 in the Xcellent Rankings on Nov. 22, was 40-1 and finished with a 32-match winning streak, culminating with an Illinois state 4A title. The Mighty Macs won 80 sets and lost nine during the season.
Mother McAuley's lone loss was 2-0 (22-25, 23-25) to 24-3 St. Joseph's of St. Louis in the prestigious Louisville Tournament. But the Mighty Macs rebounded to close out the season with few serious challenges. They won the ASICS Tournament that included wins over power programs from four different states and swept the Glenbard Autumnfest (5-0) and Rich East (4-0) tournaments without losing a set against teams that averaged more than 25 each wins this season.
During their 32-match win streak, the Mighty Macs won 64 sets while losing four. Those four losses were against teams that combined to win 133 matches this season. The Mighty Macs swept through the postseason winning 14 of 16 sets.
Though not surprised by winning the state title, DeJarld said this year's team surprised her in many areas.
"Our goal is always to win state and I am not surprised by that. However, I am surprised we got through this season with only one loss with the tough schedule we play," she said. "It's never a goal to be undefeated, but to get through our schedule with only one loss is pretty impressive and quite surprising to me."
DeJarld also admitted she underestimated her 2016 team.
"I think I underestimated this team in a lot of areas," she said. "I underestimated how competitive they were, how resilient they were and the leadership they had during some tough times. Needless to say, they surprised me a lot and they definitely exceeded my expectations."
At least five players from this year's squad will play collegiately – junior
Charley Niego (Notre Dame), and seniors
Emma Reilly (Appalachian State),
Ashley Maher (Lipscomb), and
Katie O'Connell and
Abby O'Brien, who will attend Ferris State.
Even with that talent level, expectations were higher for DeJarld's 2013 state title-winning team that featured nine D1 players. When asked to compare, the coach said "that is like comparing children."
"The one thing I can say that sets this team apart from other successful teams I've coached (most recently 2013 state champs) is their will to win a championship," she said. "Most all the players on this team have never won a championship at any level in any sport. They also have not had tremendous success at the club level like the 2013 team (many of whom were on the 2011 National Championship Michio 15's team). In 2013, I had nine D1 players. This team has three D-1 players and two D-2 players."
That 2013 team that won 39 of 41 matches, featured DeJarld's daughter, Ryann, now a defensive standout for Notre Dame.
DeJarld pointed out that losing to Benet in super sectional play in 2015 was a learning experience. It ended the Mighty Macs' 2015 season at 31-8.
"We talked about last season's loss to Benet and how we were unprepared mentally for that match," said DeJarld. "I take responsibility for that, so this year we focused on not ‘riding the emotional roller coaster' and controlling the mental part of our game. We made sure not to feed into the praise or feed into the criticism, both could be destructive."
Mother McAuley got revenge against Benet on Oct. 15 in the semifinals of Benet's Autumnfest Classic, 2-0 (28-26, 25-13). The Mighty Macs lost just one set in October.
Despite the team's winning streak and rise to the top of the polls, DeJarld said the team never talked about rankings.
"The more success this team had, the higher they were ranked and we were a little worried about how this would affect them," said DeJarld. "My assistant coach, Meg Gardner, and I really worried about the added pressure they would face being highly ranked ... but again, I underestimated them. They were so focused on winning a state championship that nothing else mattered. They never talked about their rankings and they never hung their hat on their successes, both team or individual."
She said keeping her team poised under pressure and their thoughts in the right place was the goal this season. Needless to say, goal accomplished.
"We are so honored to be named MaxPreps National Champions - it is an unbelievable recognition and we are humbled by it. Thank you so much," said DeJarld.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Volleyball Rankings presented by the U.S. Army National Guard
Courtesy photo / Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Mother McAuley won the state 4A title - and a national crown.
2. (2) Novi (Mich.), 52-1The Wildcats defended their Division A state title and finished the season 42 wins in a row.
3. (3) Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Neb.), 44-0The Skyhawks won the state B title.
4. (10) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 38-4The Monarchs swept Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-18), to win California's first Open Division championship. The Monarchs, who won the prestigious Durango Classic in Las Vegas earlier this season, won 19 of their final 20 matches. It was their second win over Santa Margarita this season.
5. (4) Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.), 29-0The Rangers won the state 4A title.
6. (6) Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.), 32-1The Hornets won the state 6A title.
7. (7) Yorktown (Ind.), 37-1The Tigers won the state 3A title.
8. (8) Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.), 40-4The Valkyries won the Kentucky state championship.
9. (9) Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.), 34-0The Chargers won the state 3A title.
10. (5) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 38-5Santa Margarita had its 22-match win streak snapped in California state title game.
11. (11) Penfield (Penfield, N.Y.), 50-0The Patriots won the state class AA title.
12. (12) Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), 46-2The Cavaliers won the state 5A title.
13. (13) Eagan (Minn.), 28-1The Wildcats won the state 3A title.
14. (14) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 30-2The Raiders won the state 8A title.
15. (15) Brecksville-Broadview Heights (Broadview Heights, Ohio), 28-1The Bees captured the state 3A title.
16. (16) Hebron (Carrollton, Texas), 46-6The Hawks won their second straight 6A state title.
17. (17) Barnstable (Hyannis, Mass.), 26-1The Red Raiders captured the state D1 title.
18. (18) Pope John Paul II (Slidell, La.), 45-2-1The Jaguars captured their third consecutive LHSAA D4 state championship.
19. (19) Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), 39-5The Aztecs won the state 6A title.
20. (20) Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.), 31-2The Cavaliers won their final 26 matches and the Virginia 5A state title.
21. (21) Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.), 31-4The Fighting Irish repeated as state D4 champions.
22. (22) Ankeny Centennial (Ankeny, Iowa), 35-3The Jaguars captured the state 5A title for the third-straight season.
23. (23) Northwest (Olathe, Kan.), 38-4The Ravens won their final 16 matches and the state large school title.
24. (24) Edmond Memorial (Edmond, Okla.), 33-2 Memorial captured the state 6A title.
25. (25) Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas), 48-1The War Eagles lost to 6A state champion Hebron (Carrollton, Tex.), 3-0, in state semifinals.
Next 2526. Panas (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.), 52-2-4The Panthers ended the season with 20-straight victories, including a 3-0 state title match victory.
27. Brentwood (Tenn.), 50-4Captured third-straight state 3A title.
28. Neenah (Wis.), 46-4Captured the state large school title.
29. Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), 36-8Behind
Lindsey Sparks' 37 assists, Edison defeated 30-6 Menlo-Atheron (Atherton, Calif.), 3-0, to win California's D1 championship and won 15 of its final 16 matches.
30 Auburn Riverside (Auburn, Wash.), 22-1-1 Won state 4A title.
31. Buford (Ga.), 41-4 Won state 4A title for second-straight year.
32. Walton (Marietta, Ga.), 39-6Walton repeated as state large school titlist. It did not lose an in-state game and had only one senior.
33. Lafayette (Wildwood, Mo.), 31-6-1Won state 4A title.
34. Fayetteville (Ark.), 30-6Captured the state 7A title.
35. Blue Valley West (Stilwell, Kan.), 42-2Kansas state 6A runner up.
36. RHAM (Hebron, Conn.), 34-3-1Won the state L division title.
37. Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 33-6Lost in first round of state tournament, but schedule was among toughest in nation.
38. Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.), 39-7Won state 7A title for third year in a row.
39. Crown Point (N.Y.), 36-3State 4A runner up.
40. Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, Colo.), 26-3Won state 5A title.
41. Northwest (Germantown, Md.), 19-1Won state 4A title.
42. Centennial (Las Cruces, N.M.), 24-1Lost first match of season to 33-6 Coronado (El Paso, Tex.), then won next 24, including state 6A title.
43. Green Hope (Cary, N.C.), 28-1Won state 4A title.
44. Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.), 46-3Captured the state 11-AA title
45. Clear Creek (League City, Texas), 46-5Texas 6A runner up
46. Garnet Valley (Glen Mills, Pa.), 22-2Won Pennsylvania state 4A title.
47. Amarillo (Texas), 44-6Won Texas state 5A title and final 24 matches.
48. Shawnee Heights (Tecumseh, Kan.), 34-6Won Kansas state 5A title.
49. Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.), 57-5Bayside has dominated the state, winning 15 straight titles, including the past nine in Class 3A, and 25 overall.
50. Menlo-Atherton (Atherton, Calif.), 30-6The Bears, winners of 30 of their final 32 matches, lost to Edison (Huntington Beach) in the finals of California's D1 championship match.
