Maggie Kurpeikis scored 12 kills as Marist defeated rival Mother McAuley 26-24, 25-22 to claim the sectional title. Last year, Kurpeikis was a key player when Marist won the Class 4A state championship as a sophomore, overcoming a back injury to make a strong impact.
Now a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, Kurpeikis has played the entire season and become a consistently powerful presence for the RedHawks. She reflected on her development, saying,
“I feel like I’ve been able to step into a way bigger role. By playing all year, I’ve been able to grow some great connections with my setter and all my other teammates as well.”
Kurpeikis and freshman setter Haven Enselmen worked seamlessly throughout the match against Mother McAuley, held at Rich South in Richton Park before around 1,300 fans. Kurpeikis had seven kills in the first game alone, finishing with 12 kills total.
Enselmen contributed impressively with 25 assists, five digs, three blocks, and two kills. Other notable performances included:
Marist faced a 10-4 deficit in Game 2 before using their final timeout, after which Kurpeikis sparked a comeback that helped seal the victory.
“Phenomenal.”
– description of Kurpeikis' performance
Maggie Kurpeikis has evolved into Marist’s vital force this season, powering key wins with skill and leadership on the court.