McAuley can't stop 'McNasty,' Mustangs

Downers Grove South celebrates as the ball falls to the ground against Mother McAuley.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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Jessica McNellis’ volleyball potential was not recognized until she was attending her brother’s basketball game in eighth grade.

“[Former Downers Grove South coach Denise Kavanaugh] pulled me out of the stands and told me that the one thing she couldn’t teach me was height, but she could teach me volleyball,” McNellis said.

McNellis is still learning the game, but the 6-foot-3 senior middle hitter flashed some of the potential that prompted Bradley to offer her a scholarship against visiting Mother McAuley on Wednesday.

McNellis had eight kills as the No. 2 Mustangs turned back the Mighty Macs 28-26, 25-20. Marielle Oestermeyer added seven kills and 15 assists and Kelsey Safranek had six kills and three aces in the win.

“Jessica is a newcomer to volleyball,” Downers South coach Colleen Reagan said. “She’s still behind some of these girls. She’s such a sweet kid. This year we told her we wanted to play nasty at the net. The other kids have started to call her ‘McNasty.’”

McNellis was “McNasty” in the first game, helping Downers South (2-0) hold on after McAuley rallied from deficits of 14-8 and 17-13 to pull even at 22. McNellis closed out the first game with a put away of a McAuley over-pass.

Oestermeyer, Christine Bowe and McNellis each collected three kills in the second game as the Mustangs raced to a 22-13 lead.  McAuley (1-1), which defeated Lockport in its season opener Tuesday, could get no closer than 23-18.

Desiree Aramburu led Mother McAuley with 19 assists, two kills and seven digs. Kelly Griffin added five kills; Jessica Galotta had four kills; Boo Sweeney had 12 digs and Sue Hayes added nine digs.

“I saw a lot of good things,” Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld said. “We’re young, and we were able to get a lot of people in. Hopefully by the time the Rich East tournament comes around we’ll see them again. ... We’re just following tradition and starting out slow."