By now, Benet is almost becoming an annual visitor to the Illinois State campus in the second week of November.

The Redwings, a state powerhouse under the direction of coach Brad Baker, were making their fourth straight Class 4A state title match appearance on Saturday night.

Seeking its sixth state championship and first since 2019, Benet was hoping to avoid the similar fate that ended the last three trips to the final game of the volleyball season.

But Marist had a different take on history.

The RedHawks, who defeated Benet in the 4A state final last season, weren’t in the mood to alter recent state history on Saturday.

Benet (39-3) defeated the RedHawks in the regular season in two sets on Oct. 14, but one month later, the Redwings ran into a buzzsaw.

Marist was running on all c

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