NORMAL – Taylor Berg may be going to college as a libero in two years at Western Michigan, but the junior outside hitter will be swinging for Marist. In fact, it’s more like climbing and swinging.
The 5-foot-10 Berg had a colossal weekend in net for the RedHawks. And her bottom-line play makes her an even more all-around threat for next year and beyond.
So, does the multi-dimensional star really want to give up hitting?
“Ah, yes,” Berg said. “Obviously I’ll miss hitting, but libero will be my position.”
Berg put Marist in a great position to repeat as state champion Saturday night.
She finished with eight kills, two aces, eight service receptions and two digs to help the RedHawks to a 25-18, 25-17 victory over Benet for the Class 4A state title at CEFCU Arena.
Mississippi State commit Cassidy Cage led Marist (36-5) with nine kills and two blocks, while Michigan recruit Maggie Kurpeikis added seven kills and Haven Enselman had 20 assists.
Maryland-bound senior libero Elayna Davidson contributed with 11 digs and six assists as the RedHawks hit .292 to Benet’s .129. Berg topped that list, hitting a solid .375.
This follows his team-high eight kill performance in Friday’s semifinal against Fremd.
“She has a very high responsibility,” Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said of Berg. “She’s been a great outlet for us. I’ve challenged her a lot and she’s improved every step of the way. She’s as confident as ever.
“There’s more for her to do. There’s so much more explosiveness, up front and back.”
Brooklynne Brass, who goes to Maryland with Davidson, trailed Benet (39-3) with nine kills.
It was the second straight season the RedHawks and Redwings battled for the state’s top prize in the largest class, with Marist winning a 19-25, 25-16, 25-19 thriller in 2024.
This time, Berg’s four kills and two aces in the opener gave the RedHawks a boost of confidence against a team that beat them 27-25, 25-18 in East Suburban Catholic Conference play on Oct. 14.
“She held up really well,” Vidovic said of Berg. “She managed the game well and she brought it all all over the court. She’s an absolute workhorse on the back row.
“She took it all off. You could see the composure. You could see the energy.”
Cage certainly felt it and used it to dominate in the second match.
“It’s insane,” said Cage, who hit .467 against Benet, the highest of any Marist player with double-digit attempts. “Taylor is a great player at all levels, so we trust her on any part of the court.”
As for Berg’s hitting and backline skills, she started at the net at 13 years old. Three years later, at the First Alliance club, coaches insisted she move to the back line.
“I really had no choice,” Berg said. “But I love it because it’s such an incredible role. It wasn’t hard to adapt.”
For her, the secret to being a good libero is simple.
“Speed,” she said. “Speed and agility. And being able to read hitters.”
The secret to being a good hitter who isn’t 6 feet tall?
“Hitting hands high,” Berg said. “And make sure you have a really good approach. When you’re small and you don’t have that size, you have to make sure you have a really good approach.”
Although she still has one year left with the RedHawks — and the goal of a trio of titles — Berg wants to enjoy the excitement she experienced the past two seasons as a state champion.
“This team is…I don’t even know the word for it,” she said. “The players are phenomenal.
“There’s nothing better than being part of these last two teams. I’m in seventh heaven right now.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
