Back in third grade, Mother McAuley’s Jayce Prohaska earned a black belt in taekwondo.
The junior right-side hitter and her older sister, Cayla, did all the requisite punching, kicking and breaking of boards. But it was the noncontact aspect of taekwondo that proved invaluable.
“It made you have respect for your parents and respect others,” said Jayce, who’s eyeing a gold medal with the state playoffs kicking off next week. “It gave you discipline and made you responsible for your own actions.
“I think it helped with volleyball with discipline in what we do.”
What McAuley did Saturday afternoon was go toe to toe with Benet. The Mighty Macs, one of the best teams in the state and in the nation, dropped a 25-23, 25-22 decision in the Autumnfest Tournament championship match at Glenbard East in Lombard.
McAuley (30-4) held a 20-15 lead in the second game before Benet (31-2) staged a furious rally for the win. Cayla Prohaska led the Mighty Macs with 10 kills and seven digs, while Keira McQuillan added seven kills and Chyla Jukes followed with five.
Clemson commit Lucy Maloney tallied 13 digs, while Nora Dunn and Grace Cahill combined for 25 assists in the absence of junior setter Peyton Heatherly, a Costal Carolina recruit who missed the tournament due to illness. Senior outside hitter Emily Zaper missed most of the Benet match after injuring her head in the first game.
When the McAuley beat Benet in 2023 to win the state title, Jayce’s sister was an emerging sophomore playing behind power hitters Ellie White, Sydney Buchanan and Ellery Rees.
Jayce, meanwhile, watched from the stands.
“It was a fun experience to see her on the team,” Jayce said of Cayla. “And to see the team win was amazing.”
McAuley made a strong run this weekend at Autumnfest, beating Lemont, Rockton Hononegah, Huntley and Oak Park-River Forest before running into Benet, which earlier in the week pulled off a 27-25, 25-19 win over defending Class 4A state champion Marist.
Last year, Jayce was brought up to the varsity and Cayla was ready to step in as a starter. Both moved from outside to the middle. This fall, Cayla is back playing outside, with Jayce on the right.
They would love to be able to win a state title before Cayla heads to play at Campbell.
“It would be so cool because she’s a senior and she’s leaving next year,” Jayce said. “It would be great to win together.”
Cayla also would like to be on the court with her sister while helping the Mighty Macs try to win their state-best 18th championship.
“It’s out biggest dream right now and that’s what we’re aiming for,” Cayla said. “To be able to do it together would be amazing.”
McAuley coach Jen DeJarld is amazed at how well Jayce has adjusted to all of the changes.
“She’s a true outside hitter who played the middle and now I have her on the right side,” DeJarld said. “She’s really loving the right side because she’s such an incredible blocker.
“I’m really blessed to have athletes who I can move around into different positions.”
Cayla entered this week leading the Mighty Macs with 256 kills, while Jayce has 88 kills to go with 51 blocks. Jayce’s numbers could balloon next season.
“She has a lot of potential to be a big swinger,” Cayla said of her younger sister. “She’s adjusting to the right side right now and she’s really been growing into the position. Her blocks have been phenomenal for us and her line kills have been awesome.
“She brings so much energy and she gets so hyped when she gets a block.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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