QND volleyball seniors make sure to put outcome of match first on night they are feted

September 29, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor

Senior libero Faith Kientzle leads the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team's starters onto the floor before Wednesday night's match against Jacksonville at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Everything about Senior Night is designed to bring out emotion.

The swelling pride of parents. The camaraderie of classmates. The realization the end is near.

It tends to make the game — no matter the sport — a secondary component to everything else. Wednesday night at The Pit, the six seniors on the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team didn’t want that to be the case.

“We kind of pulled together in the huddle and said this is the only time all six of us are going to be on the court together so we might as well live it up and play great,” senior libero Faith Kientzle said.

The Raiders played as efficient and flawless as they have all season, dispatching Jacksonville 25-8, 25-15 to improve to 22-2 overall.

“Our outside hitters really pulled through tonight,” Kientzle said. “And we just played as a team.”

That was after they fought back tears.

The seniors — Kientzle, right side hitter Ali Entrup, right side hitter Laela Hernandez-Jones, outside hitter Avery Keck, defensive specialist Lilly Marth and middle hitter Abbey Schreacke — have been a part of 88 victories, two regional championships and one sectional title in their careers.

They have also endured a COVID-19 shortened season.

“They’re special to me,” QND coach Courtney Kvitle said. “They’ve been through all four years with me, and they put on a really good performance tonight. I’m really proud of them.”

Schreacke powered the Raiders’ attack, finishing with 11 kills, two blocks and three aces. Keck added four kills, and Hernandez-Jones had three kills. Sophomore setter Annie Eaton dished out 19 assists.

They set the emotion of Senior Night aside as well.

“Absolutely it’s emotion, especially before the match,” Kvitle said. “That’s why in college our coach did it after the match. I thought they did a good job handling it and started out really strong.”

The Raiders have two home matches next week and their own tournament Oct. 21-22.

“There are still going to be emotions our last game,” Kientzle said. “We will just pull together. Without it being Senior Night, we’ll let all the emotions just go I think.”