Penn State recruit Bree Hanik walks away with head held high for Marist. After everything. ‘Ultimate competitor.'
It was a real stunner. But Marist coach Colleen Phelan was matter-of-fact and stoic about a season that ended a bit earlier than was expected.
It was the mention of senior center fielder Bree Hanik that bubbled up strong emotions.
Her tears flowed as freely as the words.
'I still feel like she's a freshman,' Phelan said of Hanik. 'I've known Bree since she was 9 years old, coaching her with the Beverly Bandits.
'To watch her grow with the game and grow as a young woman, and to watch everything she's accomplished, I'm so proud of her. She's going to be awesome at Penn State.'
Hanik gave it her all on the field Monday as the RedHawks dropped a 5-1 decision to Oswego in the Class 4A Benedictine Supersectional in Lisle.
Layla Peters produced the only hit of the night for Marist (35-3) on an RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning. Senior pitcher Gianna Hillegonds struck out nine in 4 1/3 innings of relief.
Hanik reached base twice against Oswego and made a highlight-reel catch in center field.
'I want to be one who puts it all out there for her teammates,' Hanik said. 'I want them to know I've got their backs no matter what. I'll make uncatchable catches because I'm doing it for them.'
Junior right-hander Jaelynn Anthony struck out six for Oswego (36-2). The Purdue recruit also walked five batters, but the RedHawks couldn't capitalize.
'She was definitely tough,' Peters said of Anthony. 'Throughout the season, pitching can go up and down. We knew coming in that she was going to be one of the better pitchers we've seen, but we were ready to attack.
'We wanted it. We wanted that good pitcher. But she just got the best of us there.'
Very matter-of-fact. Very stoic. But like her coach, Peters got teary-eyed at the mention of Hanik.
'Man, I love that girl,' Peters said. 'Bree is the ultimate role model, the ultimate competitor, the ultimate friend. I've gotten close to her the past two years. She has been one of my best friends.
'She really took me under her wing and taught me how to be an impactful player on a big team. She has taught our whole team throughout the year that the little things matter.'
Hanik, a four-year varsity player, hit .450 this spring for Marist, which had one of the toughest schedules in the state. She totaled nine doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 35 RBIs.
The senior leadership role was one she relished — and did right by.
'Yeah, that was one of my major goals this season,' Hanik said. 'I have always been, like, the baby on this team. So I stepped into a big role this year and kind of last year.
'I know I'm leaving here happy that I made my mark on them.'
Hanik burst onto the scene as a big contributor on the 2022 team that finished second in the state. She hit .412 with 13 home runs as a sophomore, helping lead the RedHawks to a state title.
Last season, she batted .415 with 12 home runs as Marist took second again.
It's been quite a four-year journey.
'I had no idea what was going to happen four years ago,' Hanik said. 'It was insane just being on varsity freshman year and experiencing that with the girls I did.
'One of the best things that happened to me was that I met my best friends, met the best people. I have experienced so many things, and I wouldn't take any of it back.
'I'm really sad that it's over. But I have no regrets.'
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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Kiyah Chavez and Jaelynn Anthony combine to give Oswego super feeling by beating Marist. ‘Here to win now.'
They were ready for anything. Junior pitcher Jaelynn Anthony and senior catcher Kiyah Chavez — Oswego's battery — knew Monday's matchup against Marist was worthy of Peoria. And even if winners take the spoils? 'Honestly, I think it's dumb, whoever set up the brackets, that we meet here,' Chavez said with a knowing nod. 'That's a team that should be going to state, 100%. I'll die on that hill. 'We should be meeting in the state final game, not a supersectional. We were ranked third in the state and they were ranked second. No way one of us should be getting knocked out here.' Anthony did the knocking out Monday, however, coming within one strike of throwing a no-hitter during a 5-1 win over the RedHawks in the Class 4A Benedictine Supersectional in Lisle. The Purdue recruit struck out six and gave up one hit and five walks for Oswego (36-2), which advanced to play at 5:30 p.m. Friday in a state semifinal against Oak Park-River Forest (29-8) at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. Anthony and Chavez, an Iowa commit, helped the Panthers reach state for the second year in a row after leading them to a third-place finish last year in the program's first trip to the Final Four. 'I'm so excited,' Anthony said. 'I'm here to win now, not take third place.' 'Jaelynn threw the best (Monday) I've ever seen her pitch,' Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said. 'She's getting better in big games.' It was impressive, considering Marist (35-3) came in with five straight state appearances. The RedHawks won twice, took second twice and also finished fourth while posting a 178-17 record. 'We break their streak?' Chavez said. 'Oh, wow, that's sick.' Still, it wasn't easy early as Anthony walked two of the first three batters she faced. She escaped any trouble, though, in a 23-pitch first inning. A bases-loaded walk by senior first baseman Rikka Ludvigson in the bottom half of the inning gave Oswego a 1-0 lead. 'I'm gonna walk people — I'm not perfect,' Anthony said. 'My riseball wasn't working too well, but I wasn't pitching anywhere near the plate.' A look from Chavez helped. 'It's kind of a thing, kinda like a reset,' Anthony said. 'It works without us saying anything.' Chavez lined an RBI double and senior third baseman Aubriella Garza, a Northern Illinois recruit, followed with a sacrifice fly to highlight a three-run second inning for Oswego. Insurance came in the fourth from Chavez, whose single to right was misplayed for a two-base error. The relay throw to third base sailed into foul territory, allowing her to score. Marist's lone hit by sophomore first baseman Layla Peters came on a 3-2 count with two outs in Anthony's 25-pitch seventh. An outfield misplay allowed an unearned run to score from second. Anthony threw 10-13 pitches each from the second inning through the sixth. 'As a pitcher myself, the hardest innings to get through are the first and the last,' Scaramuzzi said. 'In the middle there, Jaelynn was dealing. She did a great job of attacking the zone.' Chavez felt the Redhawks were a threat all game. 'Jaelynn was throwing fast,' Chavez said. 'I was thinking, 'This girl is determined.' But it's Marist. They're extremely talented. It's been a thing before — we'll get up and then kind of chill. 'At this point, you can't chill. This sport is so bang, bang, anyone can do anything at any time. It was important to keep the bats rolling.' Chavez told Anthony that she thought this was going to be a 'four core' game, referring to the team's Nos. 2-5 hitters, which are Chavez, Garza, Anthony and Ludvigson. 'The bottom of our lineup was struggling after pulling us through the last few games,' Chavez said. 'It was our turn.' Scaramuzzi, meanwhile, had no complaints about the schedule. 'It's just the way the cookie crumbled for us this year,' she said. 'I wouldn't have it any other way because we're playing our best softball.'
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Penn State recruit Bree Hanik walks away with head held high for Marist. After everything. ‘Ultimate competitor.'
It was a real stunner. But Marist coach Colleen Phelan was matter-of-fact and stoic about a season that ended a bit earlier than was expected. It was the mention of senior center fielder Bree Hanik that bubbled up strong emotions. Her tears flowed as freely as the words. 'I still feel like she's a freshman,' Phelan said of Hanik. 'I've known Bree since she was 9 years old, coaching her with the Beverly Bandits. 'To watch her grow with the game and grow as a young woman, and to watch everything she's accomplished, I'm so proud of her. She's going to be awesome at Penn State.' Hanik gave it her all on the field Monday as the RedHawks dropped a 5-1 decision to Oswego in the Class 4A Benedictine Supersectional in Lisle. Layla Peters produced the only hit of the night for Marist (35-3) on an RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning. Senior pitcher Gianna Hillegonds struck out nine in 4 1/3 innings of relief. Hanik reached base twice against Oswego and made a highlight-reel catch in center field. 'I want to be one who puts it all out there for her teammates,' Hanik said. 'I want them to know I've got their backs no matter what. I'll make uncatchable catches because I'm doing it for them.' Junior right-hander Jaelynn Anthony struck out six for Oswego (36-2). The Purdue recruit also walked five batters, but the RedHawks couldn't capitalize. 'She was definitely tough,' Peters said of Anthony. 'Throughout the season, pitching can go up and down. We knew coming in that she was going to be one of the better pitchers we've seen, but we were ready to attack. 'We wanted it. We wanted that good pitcher. But she just got the best of us there.' Very matter-of-fact. Very stoic. But like her coach, Peters got teary-eyed at the mention of Hanik. 'Man, I love that girl,' Peters said. 'Bree is the ultimate role model, the ultimate competitor, the ultimate friend. I've gotten close to her the past two years. She has been one of my best friends. 'She really took me under her wing and taught me how to be an impactful player on a big team. She has taught our whole team throughout the year that the little things matter.' Hanik, a four-year varsity player, hit .450 this spring for Marist, which had one of the toughest schedules in the state. She totaled nine doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 35 RBIs. The senior leadership role was one she relished — and did right by. 'Yeah, that was one of my major goals this season,' Hanik said. 'I have always been, like, the baby on this team. So I stepped into a big role this year and kind of last year. 'I know I'm leaving here happy that I made my mark on them.' Hanik burst onto the scene as a big contributor on the 2022 team that finished second in the state. She hit .412 with 13 home runs as a sophomore, helping lead the RedHawks to a state title. Last season, she batted .415 with 12 home runs as Marist took second again. It's been quite a four-year journey. 'I had no idea what was going to happen four years ago,' Hanik said. 'It was insane just being on varsity freshman year and experiencing that with the girls I did. 'One of the best things that happened to me was that I met my best friends, met the best people. I have experienced so many things, and I wouldn't take any of it back. 'I'm really sad that it's over. But I have no regrets.'
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
The best ever? Ohio State recruit Christian Teresi and Marist make case with state championship. ‘It's awesome.'
Marist's Christian Teresi wasn't going to argue with his coach. Jordan Vidovic proclaimed that the RedHawks are the best team in Illinois to ever play the sport. After they won their second straight state title, the Ohio State-bound Teresi quickly agreed. 'Of course I want to stay humble,' Teresi said. 'But I'm going to agree with him 100% on that. We went to California and beat the No. 1 team in the nation (Mira Costa). 'I feel like that was a big accomplishment for an Illinois high school. And now we won the state championship again. It's awesome.' Teresi continued his role as an awesome do-it-all player Saturday. The senior setter/right-side hitter produced 14 kills on a .619 hitting percentage to lead Marist to a 25-20, 25-20 victory over Glenbard West in the boys volleyball state championship match at Hoffman Estates. While Teresi added 15 assist and seven digs for the RedHawks (40-2), MIT recruit Nathen Toth tallied 11 kills, Jacob Finley notched 18 assists and Rorey Donnelly delivered 11 digs. Charlie Clifford led the Hilltoppers (36-6) with eight kills in a match that featured 21 ties and four lead changes. But the several times Marist needed a big play, Teresi usually provided it. 'I was telling Jacob, our setter, to keep setting me because they were not stopping me at all,' Teresi said. 'I was just going on a roll and I wanted to keep getting set. 'These are the games where I really want to stand out. There are a lot of people watching. I know we played Glenbard twice during the season, but we knew coming into this game, this was going to be a brand-new team.' It's the second straight state title in boys volleyball, third overall for the boys and third straight for Vidovic, who won in 2024 with the boys in the spring and then the girls team in the fall. Earlier in the day, Marist beat Lane Tech 25-15, 25-19 in the semifinals. Toth totaled six kills and five aces to lead the RedHawks, while Teresi chipped in with four kills and eight assists. Finley recorded eight assists and Donnelly had seven digs against Lane (35-7). Marist then put an exclamation point on a season in which the RedHawks went 30-0 against Illinois teams and dropped just one set — Friday against Lake Park in the state quarterfinals. That had Vidovic excited about placing this team at the top of the state's history list. 'There is no doubt in my mind because we went out and did it,' he said. 'Everybody else is hypothetical and we went out and played the best of the best. We went toe-to-toe with the most stacked high school volleyball teams … probably ever. 'I've been around some great Illinois teams as a player, as a spectator, as a sibling, as a coach, and I've seen some phenomenal teams, but the way the game is played right now, the speed and the way the ball is travelling, there was nothing like that back then.' Teresi closed a four-year varsity career with one more big match under his belt as a goodbye. 'I've never seen a player as compete as Christian — not at all,' Toth said. 'He can do everything. He's super athletic. He's got a wicked arm swing. I really don't know what this kid can't do. 'I don't know how you can go up there on the block and stop him.' About the only thing Saturday night that could almost stop Teresi was a question about if this year's title felt better than a year ago. It was almost like asking a parent who the favorite child is. 'I don't know … I think this year was more exciting for our team,' Teresi said. 'Well, actually I think last year was more exciting because it was our first one. 'But this was better because of us winning last year.'
