Riley Wilson’s Journey from B-Team to Varsity Impact Player at Mother McAuley
Most players in Riley Wilson’s position might have thought about transferring. As a freshman at Mother McAuley, she was placed on the freshman B team. At this school, this typically suggests slim chances of reaching varsity. Yet, Wilson remained committed.
“In my freshman year, the team won the state title,” Wilson reflected. “I wanted to contribute to that success and be part of the team culture.”
In front of approximately 2,000 spectators, Wilson excelled on Tuesday night. The senior middle hitter showcased her skills with eight kills and three blocks, aiding McAuley’s 19-25, 25-21, 25-21 GCAC Red victory over rival Marist.
Keira McQuillan, a UConn recruit, was impressive with 15 kills and nine digs for McAuley, which boasts a 25-3, 4-1 record. Jayce Prohaska added 11 kills and 16 digs, while Coastal Carolina commit Peyton Heatherly delivered 27 assists and 10 digs. Ava Calle, headed to Youngstown State, recorded 14 digs.
Marist, with a 23-4, 5-1 record, was led by Taylor Berg, a Western Michigan recruit, with 13 kills. Maggie Kurpeikis, committed to Michigan, contributed 11 kills for the reigning Class 4A state champs.
Chyla Jukes, a sophomore middle/right-side hitter, did not play due to personal reasons, as indicated by McAuley coach Jen DeJarld. This required the Mighty Macs to find an additional power player.
“Riley had a variety of shot selections,” DeJarld said of Wilson’s performance. “Her quick-reaction plays were impressive.”
Wilson’s journey from the B team to a vital varsity player is noteworthy. “Her progress from freshman year to now is unprecedented,” DeJarld stated. “I’ve never witnessed a B-team player become a varsity starter.”
The pivotal moment was the offseason between freshman and sophomore year when Wilson elevated her game. Her efforts convinced the coaching staff, with DeJarld asserting there was “no debate” about her spot on the junior varsity. Since then, her development has been steady.
“That was my turning point,” Wilson recalled. “I wanted to inspire freshmen who make the B team to look at what I’ve achieved. I focused on improving my middle capabilities and expanded my hitting range. Hard work pays off.”
Her teammates recognize Wilson’s impressive growth. “We played JV when I was a freshman, and she was a sophomore,” McQuillan noted. “I never knew she started on the B team. She’s grown so much and will continue to improve.”
“She’s great,” Prohaska shared. “She’s quick and adept at adjusting to the set, providing great energy.”
Wilson is receiving some college attention but is still early in the recruitment process.
Tuesday marked the second match between McAuley and Marist in four days. The previous contest was in the ASICS Challenge semifinals, where McAuley secured a 25-20, 23-25, 25-23 victory. However, that match lacked the enthusiastic crowd present on Tuesday.
Postseason seedings will be announced Thursday, with expectations that McAuley and Marist will be the top two seeds at the Class 4A Argo Sectional. If seeds hold, they might face off again on November 5 in Summit.
Despite this, Wilson stays grounded. “We focus on staying true to our practices on and off the court,” she said. “Maintaining an ‘in the now’ mindset is crucial.”
Jeff Vorva reports for the Daily Southtown.