This Family Legacy Set the Bar High for Girls Volleyball

Saint Viator’s girls volleyball team fought to the bitter end in last week’s super-sectional matchup against Prairie Ridge, but they came up three points short, losing 25-22 in the third and final game. 

The bittersweet ending also closed out the career of the team’s captain, Erin Lynch ’26, who set the school record for kills, with 970, and was named to the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State first team. 

The loss not only ends the season for the team but also marks the end of a family legacy, which Coach Charlie Curtin says definitely made an impact on the team.

Erin followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Mary Grace ’23, who was a setter for the team and helped them win regional and sectional championships in 2021 and 2022. The sisters also followed the lead of their two first cousins, Emily '10 and Carrie Leazer ’18, who set team records themselves.

Emily set a season record with her 97 aces during the 2010 season. As an outside hitter for the team, she helped them win regional championships in 2008 and 2009.

Carrie Leazer was the team’s libero from 2015 – 2018, and also filled in as outside hitter when needed. She holds career records in serve receives (2,174), digs (1,578), and aces (212).

During her seasons with the team, Carrie helped lead them to regional championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017; the sectional championship in 2017, and the super sectional championship in 2017, advancing the Lions to state, where they ultimately placed fourth.

Their commitment to Saint Viator is also part of the family’s legacy. Their great-uncle, Fr. John Puisis, CSV, was a Viatorian priest for 66 years before his passing in 2011.

Coach Curtin, who just finished his 24th year at Saint Viator, including 19 as head coach, captured his 400th win during sectionals. He coached all four girls and said they brought passion to the court, day in and day out.

“They had a huge impact on the success of their respective teams,” he said. “One of the things that set them apart from others was their love of the sport of volleyball and competition. They thrived on being in the big moment and on the big stage.”

Coach Curtin says the family has been involved in Saint Viator girls volleyball since 2007, or all but four of the last 19 years.

“Each one of them made Saint Viator volleyball better,” Coach Curtin says, “and helped form the culture and success of the program as a whole.”