Marist’s Rorey Donnelly knows this is the chance of a lifetime, even if it can happen twice.
The RedHawks, ranked No. 2 in the nation in the latest USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, will take on No. 1 Mira Costa of California in a Thursday road match.
A No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup between teams from other states is rare, and the teams then could meet for a second time in a tournament over the weekend.
“I’m excited to play them,” Donnelly said of Mira Costa. “We played them last year and took them in the first set and struggled a bit in the last three sets.
“I think we can do it this year.”
Donnelly and Marist are pumped for the chance to snare that top spot in the nation after taking care of business Saturday in winning the 24-team RedHawk Invitational.
The host RedHawks capped off the championship Saturday with a 25-18, 25-18 victory over Downers Grove North as Donnelly was named the tournament MVP.
Donnelly, a senior libero, totaled 15 digs and five assists for Marist (6-0) in the championship match. He finished with 38 digs in three matches Saturday.
Ohio State recruit Christian Teresi and MIT commit Nathen Toth each had eight kills against Downers Grove North (6-1). Griffin McElroy added seven kills and four blocks, while Jacob Finley chalked up 16 assists and Nicholas Mayoski came through with five digs and three aces.
Although Donnelly said winning the MVP was a surprise to him, it wasn’t to Marist coach Jordan Vidovic, whose RedHawks won their own tournament for the seventh straight season.
“He fits what the libero job is,” Vidovic said of Donnelly. “He has a presence, and he has energy and the ability to help other people. He makes plays that bring a lot out of other people.
“It all collectively goes together for him.”
Lincoln-Way East (6-1) took third in the tournament over district rival Lincoln-Way Central (4-3) with a 25-23, 25-19 decision in a match that saw Griffins coach Kris Fiore on the other side of the court against his son Braeden, a sophomore setter for the Knights.
Marist, meanwhile, is the defending state champion — and Donnelly wants to celebrate his graduation with back-to-back titles. He’s giving up volleyball after this season to major in criminal justice at Illinois State.
“I would like to be a federal agent,” Donnelly said. “My dad (Jack) is one and my brother (Joe) is going to be a cop. I want to be active. I don’t think I could ever have a desk job.”
In that manner, Donnelly and Marist figure to be plenty active on the upcoming California trip. Vidovic said he has been told the match against Mira Costa (22-1) is already sold out.
Last season, Mira Costa handed Marist one of its two losses with an 18-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-21 decision in a best-of-five showdown.
With a No. 1 vs. No. 2 scenario in the nation, the intensity Thursday will be ratcheted up.
Both teams will also take part in the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions on Friday and Saturday in Santa Barbara and could face each other there as well.
“After losing to them, I felt like it was a mental loss for us,” Teresi said of last season. “There was a lot of chirping going back and forth. This year, we’re prepared. I hope we can play them twice.”
While Marist’s offense has proven to be powerful, Teresi knows the defense is in good shape with Donnelly leading the way.
“Rorey has a huge role on the team,” Teresi said. “We have a lot of good players on defense, but he really stands out.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
