Lucy Russ finishes IC Catholic career in another state final with cousins and best friend: ‘A complete honor’

IC Catholic senior outside hitter Ava Falduto got emotional following the Class 2A state championship match.

Falduto’s tears flowed not because the Knights lost. They were the result of being asked what it was like to play with senior setter Lucy Russ.

“She’s an incredible leader,” Falduto said. “She’s run the floor incredibly these past four years. I never doubted her, and we all trusted her when we gave her the ball, and she would work magic with it.

“She’s just an awesome player all around, and she can do it all. She’s been just incredible to play beside these past four years.”

Falduto, who will play at Penn State as a libero, has known Russ since they were in elementary school.

“Lucy has been my best friend forever,” Falduto said. “She’s been setting me since fifth grade. We have a really great bond.”

IC Catholic has benefited greatly from that bond. The Knights, who lost 25-21, 25-22 to Breese Mater Dei in the state final at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Nov. 11, are 116-17 over the past four years, with back-to-back runner-up finishes at state.

The 5-foot-9 Russ, who recently recorded her 2,000th career assist, was a major reason for that success, even if her feats were overshadowed at times by the tremendous hitting of Falduto.

IC Catholic’s Lucy Russ (8) sets against Breese Mater Dei during the Class 2A state championship match at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/Pioneer Press)

“Lucy is Lucy,” IC Catholic coach Nancy Kerrigan said. “She always keeps us together. She’s just grown substantially as a player and as a teammate and leader. It’s her decision-making. It’s her ability to get her attackers involved.

“She’s now my quadruple threat because not only can she distribute the assists, but she can attack from all over the court, she can play incredible defense and she’s also putting up some great blocks for us.”

Indeed, Russ was better than ever for the Knights (36-4) this season. She led the team with 801 assists and 69 aces, was third on the team with 172 kills and 250 digs, and was fourth with 30 blocks.

Russ contributed 22 assists, seven kills, six digs and an ace in a 25-5, 25-16 rout of Carmi-White County in the state semifinals. She had 19 assists, 11 digs, three kills and an ace against Mater Dei.

“I think coach Kerrigan helped me with my strengths,” Russ said. “In practice, we were working on elements of my game and becoming a reliable hitter for my teammates.”

IC Catholic’s Ava Falduto (4) spikes the ball against Breese Mater Dei during the Class 2A state championship match at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/Pioneer Press)

Russ was reliable in so many ways for the Knights, according to senior libero Alysa Lawton. Lawton and her sister, Natalie, a junior defensive specialist, are cousins of Russ.

“I would call her a captain of this team,” Alysa Lawton said. “She’s very dependable, one of the best setters I’ve ever seen. I’ve played with amazing setters who have gone huge in volleyball, and she’s just an amazing setter.

“Her being my cousin, it was amazing to see the way she’s grown since we started playing together, not just as a volleyball player but as a person. She did a phenomenal job all four years at IC, and I can’t wait to see where she goes in college. She’s going to excel there.”

IC Catholic’s Lucy Russ (8) reacts after a point against Breese Mater Dei during the Class 2A state championship match at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/Pioneer Press)

Russ has not committed to a college but is drawing interest from Division III programs.

“It was a complete honor these past four years to be a part of this program,” Russ said. “These girls are like family, and to play with two of my cousins and the best of my best friends is an honor, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”

Russ and Falduto have aspired to lead the Knights to a state title for a decade, ever since they watched IC win the last of its three state titles in 2013.

“I remember watching the 2013 state team here,” Falduto said. “Me and Lucy were here together, and we wanted this so bad together.

“Making it here two times is a dream come true, and I’m so honored that I got to do it with all these girls, my best friends.”

While they came up short of the ultimate prize, the Knights did return home with the program’s second straight trophy and ninth overall.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to end, but we put up a fight,” Russ said. “I think it was a great experience for us.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.