Gabby Stasys didn’t get much playing time during her first two varsity seasons, not surprising considering Benet is perennially one of the best and deepest teams in the state.

That has changed for Stasys this season. The junior middle hitter has broken into the starting lineup and is helping the Redwings break down opposing defenses.

“I love being a part of this team,” Stasys said. “It’s definitely so fun. Last year and freshman year, I loved supporting the team and everything, but it’s a whole new experience when I’m on the court.”

It’s also a new — and daunting — experience for other teams, which have been nearly powerless to stop the middle attack that features the 6-foot Stasys, a Yale commit, and 6-5 sophomore Lynney Tarnow. They have given the Redwings a phenomenal 1-2 punch.

“We’re very lucky,” Benet junior defensive specialist Morgan Asleson said. “Not many teams have two great middles like them, and we do not waste them. We love to use them.”

The Redwings did so again Thursday. Stasys had four kills and four blocks as Benet beat defending Nebraska Class B state champion Skutt Catholic 25-8, 28-26 in Lisle.

Skutt (12-7), which plays a national schedule, was blitzed in the opening set. Stasys landed the first two kills for Benet (19-1) and later delivered back-to-back blocks to cap a 18-2 run that gave the Redwings a 20-4 cushion.

Asleson, who has committed to Dayton, served eight of her match-high 13 points, including two aces, during that run. She said the Redwings feed off the energy Stasys brings.

“She’s amazing,” Asleson said. “She’s taken on a bigger role this year. She’s more of a leader, and she’s made more of an impact.

“She’s just so aggressive at the net, and I feel like we can trust her a lot.”

So can Benet coach Brad Baker, who anticipated Stasys’ contributions this season.

“We kind of knew she had it in her,” Baker said. “She just needed some more time playing. She had a really good club season for a team that plays a really competitive schedule. That team was loaded. Not that we’re not loaded here.”

Stasys and Benet junior libero Aniya Warren, an Indiana commit, played for a 1st Alliance team that finished second at the USA Volleyball junior nationals. That got Stasys ready for prestigious opponents like Skutt, which bounced back Thursday to nearly win the second set.

The SkyHawks led 23-19 when Stasys scored on a block. Junior outside hitter Audrey Asleson, a Colorado commit, and Stasys then had back-to-back kills to make it 23-22.

A kill by Skutt sophomore Addison West, who led all players with 10 kills, gave the SkyHawks double set point. But Stasys again answered with a block, and senior outside hitter Ava Novak followed with one of her team-high seven kills.

Skutt took a 26-25 lead, but the Redwings scored the final three points as Tarnow smashed two of her six kills.

“We knew they were going to be an amazing team, but we just came out with a lot of energy and intensity, and I think it showed in the score (of the first set),” Stasys said. “We were consistent in our play.

“Second set, we thought it would be easy. We tend to overlook teams like that. We definitely came back from that, and I think we’re getting a lot better with that.”

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Morgan Asleson agreed that Benet managed to buckle down.

“We were able to do a good job of staying calm even when the game was on the line,” she said. “We were able to find the confidence to get it done.”

Part of that confidence comes from the Redwings knowing they have two great middles instead of just one. Baker said Stasys, who is a straight-A student, brings more than just skill.

“She has a great attitude,” Baker said. “The kid always seems like she’s excited to be here on a daily basis. She comes into the gym and just seems to really enjoy playing volleyball.”

That’s true regardless of whether Stasys is hitting or blocking, although she does have a preference.

“I love hitting,” Stasys said. “I like blocking, too, but getting the kill is just so fun.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.