NORMAL — Sadie Denk was once one card in a hand of five for Lockport.
This season, the 5-foot-7 senior has been an ace at the libero position.
This weekend on the campus of Illinois State University, Denk was one of several proud Porters who earned the program their first state trophy in girls volleyball since 1996.
She, and they, conquered.
“I found my spot on this team,” Denk said. “I I love this team. I couldn’t be happier to be here.”
Denk was the defensive star of the show Saturday night as Lockport rolled to a 25-12, 25-21 victory over Huntley in the Class 4A third-place match at CEFCU Arena.
Jenna Kolosta and Emily McGraw, both seniors, led the way with eight kills apiece for the Porters (36-6). Sophomore setter Natalie Bochantin tallied 10 assists, while Denk made 10 digs.
Georgia Watson had six kills for Huntley (32-10).
Denk earned team co-MVP honors for a senior season in which she donned the libero jersey in 39 of 42 matches. It was as different as day and night from a year ago.
In 2023, she was one of five Porters who had their turns at playing libero. Nothing was guaranteed at the beginning of summer, either.
“It was rough,” Denk said. “It was mentally challenging, especially going from that whole rocky season to club. And I also didn’t have a super steady club season, either.”
Undaunted, Denk went to work.
“I always had in the back of my mind early on, ‘Oh, I have to make sure I’m doing my best,’” Denk said. “I wanted to do 100% and play out of my mind. I was talking to the coaches and I told them how I felt, and they just put complete trust in me.
“They told me, ‘Hey, you have been doing really well in this jersey. You know how to run our defense. You know how to take charge in serve receive. If you keep playing how we know you can play, you will be able to succeed on the court with us.’”
Lockport coach Nick Mraz was as proud of her work ethic as he was of her patience during the uncertain times.
“Oh, she was an absolute rock,” Mraz said. “It would have been easy to get frustrated and to come into this season giving yourself a little too much pressure. No one plays well when you’re tense.
“But she had an opportunity and ran with it. Every day she’d show up to the gym and want the jersey. We finally said, ‘Sadie, the jersey is yours. This is your job.’ She took that leadership role, and she’s a huge reason why we’re here at state.”
Denk finished with a team-high 356 digs. She was at her best in the Riverside-Brookfield Supersectional, making 27 digs in a thrilling 23-25, 25-9. 25-22 win over Downers Grove South.
Her consistency in the back row helped the combo of Bochantin and sophomore setter Malley Green register more than 900 assists.
“I really liked having Sadie on the floor,” Bochantin said. “She makes my job really easy, honestly. I just know she’s going to get the next ball up. And even if she just made a mistake, I can count on her and she’s going to put up a great ball for me to help these hitters get a kill.”
Bochantin, and the others, didn’t mind telling her.
“Oh, that definitely helped, having my teammates have my back,” Denk said. “Them calling it out that I can get to the balls I didn’t even think I could get put a boost in my step.
“And the more I played, the more comfortable I got.”
Being one of five became a distant memory.
“It was a challenge during that season,” Denk said. “But I put all of that in the past. We’re here now and I think it shows.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
