When things aren’t going well for St. Charles North, which didn’t happen often this season, Sidney Wright is somebody that coach Lindsey Hawkins knows would keep everyone together.
The Illinois State-bound senior middle hitter will be missed on the court next year for the North Stars, but for Hawkins, it’s the interactions in the gym every day that she’ll miss the most.
“She makes us laugh every single day,” Hawkins said. “Sometimes, she gets on my last nerve and I can’t get her to focus, but she’s always bringing the light and the energy that we need.”
Wright was needed in that role Thursday night. Facing Benet for the third time this season, the North Stars saw their memorable run come to an end with a 25-21, 25-15 setback in the Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional championship match.
While Wright got going early with four kills for St. Charles North (35-4), Penn State recruit Haley Burgdorf finished with a match-high 11 kills and two blocks. Amber Czerniak added five kills.
Brooklynne Brass, who transferred from Minooka last year, paced the Redwings (36-2) with five kills and two blocks. Sophia Chinetti and Lynney Tarnow contributed four kills apiece.
St. Charles North’s Ellie Sutter (9) and Brynn Hopkins (21) go up to block against Benet during the Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional championship match in Glen Ellyn on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
Even when things started to unravel, however, Wright brought out her best.
“I feel like I really wanted to come out strong for me and my team especially,” she said. “We knew we had to come out strong and play our hardest just because we knew what was on the line.
“I feel like we really came together and told ourselves we can’t get down. We needed a side-out. Get back into it and everything will be OK. Don’t let anyone get down, stay up the whole time.”
The underclassmen look up to this departing group of seniors. That’s why junior defensive specialist Addison Kashuba wasn’t surprised that Wright kept encouraging the team until the end.
St. Charles North’s Addison Kashuba (17) pops over a serve against Benet during the Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional championship match in Glen Ellyn on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
“She always wants to bring as much energy to the team as she can and keep us up and keep us going,” Kashuba said. “Especially when she gets hyped, everybody else gets hyped.”
That was the energy Wright had in the first game. Wright had a kill for the first point and another one to cut it to 21-19. Tarnow put down three kills down the stretch, though, as Benet prevailed.
“She was definitely locked in,” Hawkins said. “We needed to get her the ball a little bit more.”
Kashuba, meanwhile, enjoyed being the player who could get the offense going to senior setter Mia McCall (Valparaiso), Burgdorf and Wright, the team’s three Division I recruits.
St. Charles North’s Erin Skidmore (6) passes the ball against Benet during the Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional championship match in Glen Ellyn on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
In particular, playing with an All-Americano outside hitter like Burgdorf is something Kashuba will never forget.
“She is one of the best leaders I’ve ever had and also a really good teammate,” Kashuba said. “She’s always there for us. It was amazing to be able to see her get those kills.
“I play middle back, and I probably wouldn’t be able to get to those. It’s just amazing to watch her get up and get going.”
Although Hawkins was sad that the season has ended, she put things into perspective.
St. Charles North’s Sidney Wright (22) keeps an eye on the ball against Benet during the Class 4A Glenbard West Sectional championship match in Glen Ellyn on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
“If we were going to go out, I wanted it to be against one of the best,” she said. “I’m proud of the way that they fought. They have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Wright was similarly reflective as her high school career came to a close.
It was the North Stars’ third loss this season to Benet, which advances to Monday’s Bartlett Supersectional, but they raised the bar all year long.
“It hurts ending this way and not getting past the sectional,” she said. “But I feel like I have a strong connection with my team and we feel like we did the best we could.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
