Even before the first time she touched the ball for the Providence, junior libero Maddie Johnston felt the intensity of the ear-splitting crowd Monday night. Nothing like being on the road.
But while the postseason can rattle the best, Johnson maintained her poise and composure.
“What goes through my head when I see the crowd is I focus on myself and zone everything out,” she said. “One of the fathers talked before the game about how one play can change the game.
“I just kept repeating that to myself over and over.”
Johnson then took over with her serve. She scored three straight crucial points to swing momentum for the Celtics in a 25-21, 25-18 win over for host downstate Washington in a Class 3A supersectional.
Senior outside hitter Abbey Knight tallied 13 kills and senior right-side hitter Demi Carbone added six kills, two bocks and an ace for the Celtics (34-6), who reached state for the first time since 1995 and will play Nazareth (20-18) at 4 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Providence’s Grace Lustig and her teammates celebrate with the plaque after defeating downstate Washington in the Class 3A Washington Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)
Johnson, meanwhile, came up with seven digs to help offset the Panthers’ athletic front line.
“Maddie has been on her game ever since the playoffs started,” Carbone said. “She has been everywhere — all over the court. She has been a truly amazing player to work with and play with.
“We call her our little junior. She said, ‘I’m not letting you guys leave without knowing I gave it my all.’”
Knight, a Wright State recruit, said Johnson’s serves in the first game made a difference.
Providence’s Maddie Johnson (9) passes the ball against downstate Washington during a Class 3A Washington Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)
“Maddie always changes the momentum on our side,” Knight said. “When it comes to her serving, she’s always on point. Her serves are always terrifying in practice.
“She hits her zone every time and never lets us down.”
Johnson is a second-year varsity player who has blossomed after a sophomore season spent getting accustomed to the speed and physicality of that level.
Her older sister Abby, a Providence graduate, is a sophomore infielder in college for Loyola softball. Like her older sister, Maddie grew up toggling between that sport and volleyball.
Providence’s Maddie Johnson (9) serves a point against downstate Washington during a Class 3A Washington Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)
“I always went to her practices when I was younger and I got the feel of the game,” Maddie said of Abby and softball. “I just realized that volleyball is my thing. I love the toughness and the speed.”
The 5-foot-8 Johnson also has excellent athleticism, balance and footwork.
Her skill as a first-rate server is reflected in her ability to control the opposition in serve receive. She leads Providence with more than 500 serve receptions.
Defensively, she works the angles, allowing the Celtics to get to the ball to their pin players like Knight and Carbone.
“It’s just great having so many hitters who are able to back me up,” Johnson said. “It made it easy to pick up the position quickly.
“It’s just a breath of fresh air because the dynamic with the rest of the team is phenomenal.”
Providence’s Maddie Johnson (9) dives to pass the ball against downstate Washington during a Class 3A Washington Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)
That’s exactly how Johnson felt for her senior teammates Monday, especially considering how the Celtics have been stopped in the supersectional round in each of the previous two seasons.
As the libero, her role is akin to a point guard in basketball, with the exception being restricted to playing in the back row. The libero also wears a different color jersey.
Everything about Johnson, however, is a connector who makes all the pieces fit.
“I love my family and spending time with my close friends and teammates, especially on the court,” she said. “We’ve gotten through our ups and downs and the emotional ride.
“No matter what happened, we always picked each other up.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
