Mia McCall gives St. Charles North coach Lindsey Hawkins peace of mind on the court.

The 5-foot-10 senior setter, a Valparaiso recruit, makes sure that everyone is in the proper position for the North Stars, who are blessed with some of the most talented hitters in the state.

It’s something Hawkins doesn’t take for granted.

“She totally commands the court,” Hawkins said of McCall. “We have the ultimate faith in her. We just feel a calming sense when she’s out there.”

McCall guided St. Charles North to another decisive victory Tuesday night, this time leading the way in a 25-15, 25-10 DuKane Conference win at crosstown rival St. Charles East.

Running the show, McCall relied on Penn State recruit Haley Burgdorf and Illinois State commit Sidney Wright. Burgdorf totaled 12 kills and four aces for the North Stars (21-2, 4-0), while Wright added seven kills and five aces.

St. Charles North’s Mia McCall (7) serves the ball against host St. Charles East during a DuKane Conference match in St. Charles on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Kaylee McInnis paced St. Charles East (5-8, 1-3) with four kills and two aces.

McCall, meanwhile, has been around the program for so long that doing her job is second nature at this point. That doesn’t mean she takes her supporting cast for granted. however.

“I think us having such a talented, well-rounded team really helps us put that together,” McCall said. “I think it just really helps me put trust in myself and know that I just have to put up a good ball and our hitters are there to back me up.”

Hawkins has seen her growth firsthand. The talent was always there. The other intangibles have grown to the point where McCall is the best version of herself this season.

St. Charles North’s Mia McCall (7) tips the ball over the net against host St. Charles East during a DuKane Conference match in St. Charles on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

“She’s definitely more offensive-minded, which keeps other teams on their toes and opens up things for our hitters, so that helps us a lot,” Hawkins said. “Leadership-wise, she’s great.”

McCall’s talents will be on display Monday when Benet — the team that St. Charles North could encounter in the postseason on the journey to a potential trip to state — comes calling.

The Redwings will have the height advantage, so McCall’s creativity and experience will go a long way toward exploiting any mismatches.

“Those are the most fun matches, no matter if you win or lose,” McCall said. “The competition brings out the best in you.

St. Charles North’s Mia McCall (7) celebrates a point against host St. Charles East during a DuKane Conference match in St. Charles on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

“We do have some great players, but we also are not the tallest compared to Benet. Spreading the offense is important. It’s really about getting each hitter an opportunity to score in different ways.”

That’s one of McCall’s strong suits, as St. Charles East coach Lynnette Summins pointed out.

“As soon as I’m calling something out, she’s setting the opposite,” Summins said. “It’s a credit to Mia to be able to recognize that and throw our block off, too. It’s just experience.

“It just helps to have the kind of balanced offense the way they do.”

It’s part of the reason that Hawkins feels as calm as she does with McCall at the helm.

St. Charles North’s Mia McCall (7) twists her body to set the ball against host St. Charles East during a DuKane Conference match in St. Charles on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

“Definitely running our middles helps with that,” Hawkins said. “She makes very smart decisions with the ball. She knows who to set and when. She also does a really good job of looking across the net and seeing what our blocking matchups are.

“She’s very smart in terms of reading what’s going on in the match.”

The North Stars have won 16 straight after dropping back-to-back matches to Benet and Marist at the end of August. The scary part is McCall feels like there’s more to unlock.

“I think we are happy, but we definitely can do more,” McCall said. “We still have room to improve.

“This is definitely our year. I think we’re ready to come out Monday and show who we actually are because I don’t think we’ve really had the chance to show our talent this season.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/30/mia-mccall-st-charles-north-east-ihsa-girls-volleyball/