History repeated itself for the Mater Dei girls volleyball program.

Last season, the Knights won their second consecutive Illinois Class 2A state championship, the first back-to-back state titles for the program since 2010 and 2011. And just like it did 15 years ago, Mater Dei did it with two different coaches.

In 2010, legendary coach Fred Rakers capped his 35-year run with his sixth state championship. In 2011, his son Chad Rakers took over the program and led it to another trophy.

Chad Rakers stepped down after leading Mater Dei to the title in 2023, and last year Cortney Walker led the Knights to a title in her first season, just as Chad Rakers did in succeeding his dad. It’s actually how both Rakers drew it up, leaving on top but also leaving the ingredients for another championshi

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