When she watches teammate Hutsyn Timosciek, Lockport’s Emily McGraw sees something.
And it’s very much like looking in the mirror.
“I see me in her,” McGraw said.
The duo was a lethal combination on the right side Monday night for the Porters.
Timosciek, a sophomore, highlighted several key moments as Lockport rode the wave for a 23-25, 25-9, 25-22 win over Downers Grove South in the Class 4A Riverside-Brookfield Supersectional.
In the mix at the end of all three games, Timosciek led with 11 kills as Lockport (35-5) reached state for the first time in 20 years. McGraw, a 5-foot-11 senior, added eight kills and two blocks.
Bridget Ferriter also had 12 kills, 14 digs and three aces for the Porters, while Sadie Denk finished with 27 assists. Sylvia Masiulionis paced Downers Grove South (26-14) with 13 kills.
Timosciek came up with two kills late in the first game for the Porters, who will face Marist (31-9) at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
It allowed Lockport to put heat on the Mustangs down the stretch. She followed with three late kills in a dominant effort during the second game. She added three late kills in the decisive third.
“It was just kind of nice that we all did our part and everyone made it happen,” Timosciek said. “It wasn’t like one single player.”
McGraw has seen what Timosciek can do all season, so she wasn’t surprised when Timosciek stepped up when the Porters needed it most.
“As a sophomore, she’s crazy,” McGraw said. “She’s a beast up there. She’s one of the smartest hitters I know.”
Lockport coach Nick Mraz realizes that his veteran players get a lot of attention, and deservedly so, but he has eight sophomores — including Timosciek — on the roster.
“She’s got that even-keeled demeanor,” Mraz said. “I don’t think any moment will really get to her. She’s had so many moments where the game is on the line and she’ll make a big swing.
“She gets it done.”
The first game was uncharacteristic as Lockport made 10 errors, including four service miscues.
“In the first set, we were pressing way too much,” Mraz said. “You could see it — four missed serves, a lot of hitting errors, tipping and rolling. That’s not our M.O.
“When we finally calmed down and played at our level, we knew they were going to answer, but we were just a little more physical at the end.”
For her part, Timosciek wasn’t concerned after the first game, especially after the Porters went on the big run to turn it into a match.
“I think we really warmed up at the end,” Timosciek said of the first game. “Then we just kept pressing. I wasn’t worried. I knew we had it.”
It came to no surprise to McGraw the match went three games. After all, Lockport played Downers Grove South four times this season. All four matches three, and all were wins for the Porters.
“It’s tradition,” McGraw said. “We always go three with DGS — give the fans what they want.
“I just feel like we never play 100% against them. There’s always so much pressure. When we’re in those situations, we believe in ourselves and we just push through.”
Mraz said that was the plan all along for this team.
“This was our goal,” Mraz said. “It wasn’t a sectional or a supersectional — it was state. It was our one and only focus.
“Now, we’re going to enjoy this and celebrate, but they know very well when we step into the gym (Tuesday) after we sign the ball, it’s game on. We have to get ready for state.”
And when 6-2 middle hitter Jenna Kolosta put down the final kill, Timosciek was fired up.
“It’s great,” Timosciek said. “I don’t even know, It all happened at once. I was so excited.
“I was waiting for it. It feels so good.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
