Minooka falls to nationally-ranked Benet Academy

A loss to a 39-1 team that is ranked No. 12 in the nation by USA Today is nothing to be ashamed about.

Minooka (32-8, 10-1) fell to the No.2 ranked team in the state in two sets at the supersectional, preventing them from making it to the title game at Illinois State University.

"[Benet] is a great team and I think mentally we kind off took ourselves out of the game," said coach Carrie Prosek. "Hands down they're one of the best teams in the state, and tonight we just had too many unfortunate unforced errors."

Both sets ended in a 25-17 defeat, as the Indians never fully gained momentum or more than a few point advantage over the Redwings.

The Indians roster ,who has nine seniors, three juniors and three sophomores will move onto the 2020 season without three-year starter and captain Zoey Seput.

Seput, who will be playing volleyball at the University of California, said she will miss the relationships she built the most at Minooka.

"I thought our energy was a little low because we usually come out in the playoffs and get off to a great start and play with very high energy," Seput said. "Although things do move on, I'm going to miss playing here and all of the wonderful coaches and girls I've had the chance to meet since being here, I will definitely miss all of them."

Prosek said with the departure of Seput and senior outside hitter and captain Desiree Anderson, the few juniors and sophomore class will play a large role next year in trying to get back deep into the playoffs.

"I'm definitely going to miss their leadership and everything that they bring on and off the court," Prosek said. "We have a very talented sophomore class though, and we will obviously rely on them a lot in the next couple years because we definitely want to be back in this position and go further every single year."