Many would have thought about transferring in the position of Mother McAuley’s Riley Wilson. In her initial year at high school, Wilson was part of the freshman B team. At Mother McAuley High School, this often suggests slim chances of reaching the varsity level. However, Wilson decided to remain.

“My freshman year, they won the state title,” Wilson said about the Mighty Macs. “I wanted to contribute and be part of that team culture.” On Tuesday night, in front of about 2,000 spectators, Wilson excelled. As a senior middle hitter, she played a crucial role by scoring eight kills and three blocks. This effort helped McAuley secure a 19-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory over their rival, Marist, in the GCAC Red match.

Team Effort

Keira McQuillan, a University of Connecticut recruit, led McAuley with 15 kills and nine digs, while Jayce Prohaska contributed 11 kills and 16 digs. Coastal Carolina commit Peyton Heatherly managed 27 assists and 10 digs. Ava Calle, heading to Youngstown State, recorded 14 digs. On Marist’s side, Taylor Berg, who will join Western Michigan, led with 13 kills. Maggie Kurpeikis, committed to Michigan, added 11 kills.

“Riley had a lot of different shot selections,” said McAuley coach Jen DeJarld, impressed by Wilson’s performance.

Due to personal reasons, Chyla Jukes, a sophomore middle/right-side player, was absent. This absence meant McAuley needed another reliable player, and Wilson stepped up. Her journey from playing B-team to being significant on varsity is substantial.

A Rapid Ascent

“The advancement she’s made in three years from freshman year to now is unparalleled,” said DeJarld. To her knowledge, Wilson is the first player to move from the B team to a starter on varsity. A pivotal moment for Wilson was the offseason after her freshman year. Coming back stronger, she impressed enough to secure a spot on junior varsity by her sophomore year. Since then, she has flourished.

Wilson stated, “That was my turning point.” She wanted to set an example for future B-team freshmen, showing them what determination and hard work could accomplish. She focused on expanding her skills during that offseason.

“Hard work pays off,” Wilson asserted.

Teammates also noticed Wilson’s development. McQuillan recalled playing junior varsity with Wilson, noting her significant growth and unaware of her B-team origins until recently. Prohaska praised Wilson’s energy and adaptability on the court.

Looking Forward

Wilson is now getting some college interest, although she acknowledges she’s slightly behind in recruiting. The recent match was their second encounter with Marist in four days, following a victory in the ASICS Challenge semifinals on Saturday. Tuesday’s match atmosphere was more intense, with a packed gym and enthusiastic students.

Postseason seeding decisions are expected soon, and McAuley and Marist are likely to be top contenders at the Class 4A Argo Sectional. A potential third meeting in Summit is on the horizon. Yet, Wilson remains focused on current goals.

“We need to stay true to our movements and remain grounded in our off-court activities,” Wilson emphasized, highlighting the importance of focus and presence.