Ready, set, State!
Aine McIntyre
Daniella Hall McAuley sent off the Mighty Mac volleyball team and diver Abby Manos 12 to IHSA State competitions the weekend of November 12 and 13. With impressive accomplishments both on the court and in the pool and the entire school community supporting them, both Abby Manos and the volleyball team earned their spots competing for state titles. Manos acquired an impressive array of awards that included the following: first place at the Sandburg Invite, first place in conference, the title of Senior Conference Diver of the Year and first place at Sectionals. Manos’s favorite part about State was being able to compete with the best of the best, and she made McAuley proud! “I am truly grateful for all the support from my fellow Mighty Macs, teammates, coaches and family,” Manos commented. “It was an incredible experience, and it was worth all of the hard work and effort throughout the season!” The road to rings also continued for the volleyball team as they competed at the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals in Normal, Illinois. The team won against Edwardsville High School in two sets in the semifinals. They advanced to the finals Saturday night to face off against Metea Valley High School. It was a tough loss with a battle that ended in three sets, but the Mighty Macs worked hard this season with that game being only one of their few losses. “My favorite part about going to state was the first time I stepped foot into the arena!” Gigi Navarrete 11 said. “It was huge and felt like a dream.”
Navarrete also commented on their impressive season as a whole.“I loved when we had our sectional and super-sectional game at home,” Navarrete said. “We had a huge supportive crowd and fan section.” The McAuley community is so proud of Abby and the volleyball team for their achievement-filled seasons and competing in state!
above: The MMc Volleyball team poses with their trophy and medals with Mac Nation fans
above: Abby Manos diving in the IHSA State Diving competition.
photos provided by Ms. Halleran
The Sky is the limit for Chicago Evelyn Ivers
Oct 17th, 2021: the day more than 10,000 Chicago sports fans joined together to watch sports history change forever. The Chicago Sky, Chicago’s representation in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), won their first ever national championship against the Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena. The 2021 season brough t many challenges and changes to the Sky, but their drive and determination never faltered. Entering the playoffs as the sixthnumber six seed, with a record of 16 wins and 16 losses, the odds were stacked against them. After their first round victory against the Dallas Wings, the Sky was led by forward Kahleah Cooper who racked up 23 of their 81 points who continued to lead the Sky in points throughout the finals tournament. Cooper was given the championshipgiven championship game Most Valuable Player award. In addition to their triumph over the Wings, the Sky also beat the Minnesota Lynx, 89-76,
Play like a girl
before competing in the four game semifinal series against the Connecticut Sun in which they won three of the four games , pushing them forward into the finals. The final series included four games against the Phoenix Mercury , resulting in three wins for the Sky and one win for the Mercury. After four intense games of basketball, the Sky came out victorious winning the championship game 80-74. The Sky’s championship run also allowed two players who had grown up in the vicinity of Chicago, Allie Quigley (Joliet) and Candace Parker (Naperville) to showcase their abilities. Parker, a graduate of Naperville Central High School, carried the Sky , leading the team in rebounds throughout the whole WNBA playoff tournament. The Chicago Sky brought through the championship win in an unforgettable season that that brought a new light to Chicago sports!
9 sports
“Growing up I lived in the bowling alley,” Tamia Edwards 12 said. “Bowling was a big part of my family life.” After many weekends spent in the bowling alley since the age of five, Edwards’s appreciation and passion for bowling accompanied her at McAuley. “The friendships and memories I’ve made during the bowling season have been a key part of my high school experience,” Edwards said. Edwards’s leadership and long history of bowling have helped her thrive during her three years bowling at McAuley. Edwards’s plans to celebrate the small successes of her team and incorporate positive reinforcement during games and practices this upcoming season. “On the bus rides to our games last year, I tried to keep spirits high with fun music and words of encouragement,” Edwards said. “I plan to do the same this year.” Edwards’s personal high score was a 256 out of a possible 300 points, and that was a game she will never forget. “The adrenaline was so high. It was such an unforgettable accomplishment,” Edwards said. “I hope to relive a similar experience when I go to college.” Edwards plans on bowling in college but is undecided on where she will play. “As a senior this year, I’m looking forward to making this the best season with lots of fun and lots of wins,” Edwards said.
photo by Elena Fernandez
november/december 2020
