NORMAL - Unburdened by the weight of a top-10 national ranking, No. 47 St. Charles East High School stunned No. 9 Lisle Benet, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, to capture the Class 4A title in the state volleyball tournament Saturday at Redbird Arena. | Photo gallery

"The kids played amazing," said St. Charles East coach Jennifer Kull, whose team was third a year ago. "They just relaxed and played."

Lisle Benet, which had squeaked past No. 8 Chicago Mother McAuley in Friday's semifinals, ran into a foe that could match it weapon for weapon and didn't blink at crunch time.

The match couldn't have been closer as the first set had 13 ties and the final two had eight apiece. Benet (40-2) and its six Division I recruits were perched on a 15-13 lead in the third set when the Fighting Saints (38-4) made an unanswerable 10-1 run.

The radar perfect sets of Syracuse-bound setter Laura Homann helped St. Charles East outhit the Redwings, .200 to .102. Homann finished with 28 assists, the same as her counterpart, Dartmouth-bound Brianne Hucek.

The Saints held Illinois-recruit Jessica Jendryk to six kills, but gave up 17 to West Point-recruit Ariana Mankus. Caroline Niski paced St. Charles East with 16 kills.

No. 8 Chicago Mother McAuley (39-3) took third with a 25-16, 25-19 decision over Evanston (30-12).

Class 3A

Joliet Catholic wins 2nd title: No. 21-nationally ranked Joliet Catholic (39-3), which last won a state crown in 2003, picked up another with a 25-19, 25-14 verdict over Burlington Central (35-7).

"I knew from the very beginning we had something special with this group," said Angels coach Christine Scheibe, who had hoped fellow East Suburban Catholic Conference member Lisle Benet could win in 4A.

It was the Angels' second win of the season over Burlington Central, which also fell 21-25, 25-16, 25-17 on Sept. 6.

"They were our first real tough match of the season," Scheibe said. "We knew if we played our style, we'd end up with a championship today."

"They served stronger tonight than in the previous game," said Burlington Central coach Marvin Leavitt. "That got us out of our system."

Stellar 6-0 outside hitter Stephanie Holthus did what she could to keep Burlington Central in the match with 13 kills on .400 hitting.

Anniemarie Hickey answered for Joliet Catholic with 10 kills on .421 hitting while Butler-recruit Gina Vera had 15 assists. Northern Iowa-recruit Gina Vera had 15 assists for Burlington Central.

The third-place trophy went to Breese Mater Dei (36-6) by a 25-17, 25-22 count over Chicago Payton (37-3), the highest finisher in Chicago Public League history.

Class 2A

Freeburg snaps title drought: Freeburg (36-5) returned to the state winners' circle for the first time in 26 years with a 25-16, 25-16 triumph over Tolono Unity (27-13).

"This has been the most determined bunch of girls," said Freeburg coach Lesa Bolt, whose school also won in 1979 and 1982. "They just worked to see what they could do for the team. That was a huge part of their success."

Unity (27-13), the Champaign area's first finalist in 19 years, was within 9-8 in both sets when its offense started to sputter.

"They just started getting a few good swings," said Unity coach Kristy Duncan, noting her team's five service errors didn't help.

Symbolizing the Rockets' struggles was the fact their kill leader with four was setter Dani Gooch, a volleyball rarity.

Colleen Yarber and Sam Kassing did most of the damage for Freeburg, notching seven kills apiece. Yarber had three of the Midgets' six aces.

"They walked in with confidence and played with confidence the whole way," Bolt said.

Third went to Elgin St. Edward (24-18) thanks to a 25-22, 26-24 win over Princeton (28-11-2).

Class 1A

Eastland dynasty begins: Lanark Eastland (39-4) captured its first state title in any sport, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, over Ashland A-C Central (34-8).

With only two seniors, the Cougars may have begun a dynasty. All but one of their 38 kills came from non-seniors with junior Megan Bunyer providing 14 and 6-1 sophomore Courtney Blair 13.

"It's impressive in the fact they can keep their composure," said Eastland coach Kristy Pierce. "The real keys to the match were our blocking and ball control. This is the best defensive team I've had in 27 years."

The third set saw A-C Central close to within 24-23 after trailing 22-18. Match point came on a Brittany Stribling service error.

"They found open spots when they needed it," said 6-0 A-C Central senior Taylor Jacobs, who had 11 kills.

"You can't cover every inch of the court," lamented A-C Central coach Kristy VanMeter.

In the third-place match, Toledo Cumberland (29-4) won 21-25, 25-21, 25-17 over Sciota West Prairie (32-10).

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Championship matches

1A

Lanark (Eastland) d. Ashland (A-C Central), 25-22, 21-25, 25-23

2A

Freeburg d. Tolono Unity, 25-16, 25-16;

3A

Joliet Catholic d. Burlington Central, 25-19, 25-14;

4A

St. Charles (East) d. Lisle (Benet Academy) 23-25, 25-22, 25-19