Lockport’s Bridget Ferriter recently joined a science research team that works with the staff at Argonne National Laboratory.
Ferriter said she’s not sure exactly what she wants to do with her career, but she loves math and science and this team is giving her a taste of both.
“I’m going to try to see if I like research and lab work,” she said. “Maybe I can go into that field. We work with one of the nuclear physicists from Argonne, and we have meetings every week.
“We’re building silicone arrays and detectors. I like it so far.”
The junior outside hitter is on another team where physics plays an important role — volleyball.
Spiking a ball features force and kinetic energy. Ferriter tested that mettle several times Tuesday night, putting down 14 kills for the Porters in a 25-8, 20-25, 25-23 win over Lincoln-Way West in the Class 4A Bolingbrook Sectional semifinals.
Ferriter, who had a .500 hitting percentage, added nine digs and Jenna Kolosta also had 10 kills for Lockport (33-5). Natalie Bochantin tallied 29 assists and Sadie Denk came up with 20 digs.
Seeking their first sectional title since 2004, the Porters will play at 6 p.m. Thursday against Oswego (32-4) in the final. The Panthers beat Joliet West 25-17, 25-20 in the other semifinal.
Caroline Smith led Lincoln-Way West (25-13) with 12 kills, while Elly Decker added nine. Claire Murphy chipped in with four aces, including three early in the second game to give the Warriors a 4-0 lead and help gain back momentum after Lockport dominated in the first game.
But the Porters were able to recover as Ferriter and Kolosta each had five kills in the third game.
“The same thing happened when he first played them,” Ferriter said about a 25-21, 17-25, 25-17 SouthWest Suburban Conference decision during the regular season. “We won the first set big and they came back, but we ended up winning the third set, too.
“We were expecting them to push back.”
Ferriter said her big performance was aided by Denk, a senior libero who communicated well with the 6-foot hitter.
“She always calls out what shot is open while I’m hitting,” Ferriter said of Denk. “That helps brings me confidence because I know she is there behind me covering and doing all that.”
The versatile Ferriter played right-side hitter during the club season. She quickly found her groove as an outside for her high school team, according to Lockport coach Nick Mraz.
“She’s a rock for us,” Mraz said of Ferriter. “She was a solid piece throughout. At the beginning of the season, she was fine-tuning some things, but since mid-September, we’ve known what to expect from her.”
Bochantin said Ferriter, who has been described as “shy” by Kolosta, can bring energy to the court in a different way.
“When Bridget makes a big kill or a big play, she just goes back to her position and is all business,” Bochantin said.
Ferriter has a long way to go to decide her future — be it in volleyball or her career. She said she’s placing a heavy emphasis on academics for college, but volleyball may or may not be a part of it.
For now, she wants to help the Porters accomplish something they haven’t done in 20 years by hoisting up a sectional plaque Thursday night in Bolingbrook.
Ferriter grew up playing basketball and volleyball but now concentrates solely on volleyball.
“I like the pace of the game,” she said of volleyball. “It’s a sport where you can’t do it all by yourself. Everyone has to contribute to win. You also get to take a break in between each point.
“Even if you mess up, you can take a breath in between.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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