Marist State Champion volleyball players are off to a hot start again, with the team setting its sights on a massive trip to Las Vegas Wednesday evening.
The RedHawks have kicked off their 2025 campaign right where they left off last year. The team is undefeated and has already racked up accolades, including a win at the 32-team Crimson Classic where senior right side hitter Savannah Weathers took home MVP honors. Although the season has just commenced, the team is shaping up to be as impressive as always.
“The work ethic everyone brings to the table each and every day makes this team so special,” said Mollie Berry, who is a senior defensive specialist.
Along with accolades, the RedHawks have been receiving national recognition. The team is currently ranked #1 in the state of Illinois, as well as #17 in the National Girls Volleyball Rankings by MaxPreps, the largest national database for high school athletics.
As one of the best programs in the country, the RedHawks are willing to prove it. They are heading to the 64-team Durango Fall Classic in Vegas for the second straight year, a tournament that is widely considered to be the top high school volleyball event in the nation. The team is returning to Nevada this year to test themselves against top competition and build on last year’s success.
“It was a unique experience,” said head volleyball coach Jordan Vidovic. “It’s the best ran tournament we have ever been a part of and the biggest power houses in high school athletics attend.”
Marist is the first girls volleyball program from the state of Illinois to attend the prestigious tournament. The team is not only playing for themselves, but also representing the entire state. Coaches and players see this opportunity as both an honor and a challenge, but one that fuels their excitement heading into the tournament.
“Seeing teams from other states is pretty cool as well as playing the top volleyball talent in the country,” said Berry.
With such a significant trip ahead, the RedHawks are focused on preparing for the high level of competition awaiting them. Practices have been growing in intensity, reflecting the team’s determination to compete versus the best.
“We understand we have to challenge ourselves at practice now that we went on the trip last year,” said Vidovic. “We know the physical level out there will be high, so we have been trying some unique ways to raise the physicality in the gym.”
While the spotlight shines brightly on Las Vegas, the RedHawks know their journey won’t end in Nevada. The trip is just one part of a larger mission, as Marist turns its focus to the grind of the season and the challenge of defending a state title. They hope the experience of competing against the nation’s best will give them the momentum the rest of the way.
