Senior outside hitter Ellie White and freshman setter Peyton Heatherly are quite a pair for Mother McAuley.

In one regard, they are total opposites. Bookends.

White, a Michigan recruit, will be writing the final chapter of her high school career this weekend when the Mighty Macs compete for the Class 4A state championship.

For Heatherly, Friday’s semifinal match against Barrington is only the beginning.

They never had a chance to play together before this season. Yet, the two connect out on the court like they have been teammates forever. Go figure.

“We kind of just clicked instantly,” White said. “Peyton came up and talked to me right away, and we became super close as the season went on. Our chemistry on the court stems from off the court.

“It’s just crazy how many years apart we are. I’m a senior, she’s a freshman, but it doesn’t even feel like it.”

There have been several interesting stories that unfolded during McAuley’s run to state. Role players from last season have become standouts this year, like senior libero Sam Falk, senior middle hitters Ellery Rees and Keira Ohse and junior outside hitter Sydney Buchanan.

But I don’t think any of the many stories we’ve done tops how fast Heatherly adapted to playing varsity for one of the most prestigious programs in the nation.

McAuley coach Jen DeJarld watched it start happening from the day White and Heatherly became “sisters.”

“Ellie is Peyton’s big sister in our program,” DeJarld said. “They have known each other for a long time because they were in the same club and saw each other in the gym.

“I know that Peyton has really looked up to Ellie. And I think she has really leaned on Ellie a lot, and Ellie has taken a lot of comfort taking Peyton through this process. Peyton has come a long way in her maturity, and I think a lot of credit for that goes to Ellie.”

It has been a remarkable season for both.

White, without question, has been a multipurpose leader for the Mighty Macs (36-4). She’s totaled 456 kills, 92 blocks, 295 digs and 35 aces.

Her influence on Heatherly might have been her biggest contribution. White knows setting. She’ll be doing it at Michigan. And she also knows what it’s like to play on the varsity as a freshman.

Heatherly didn’t hesitate to seek her out.

“I wasn’t really scared to talk to Ellie because I already knew how great of a person she was,” Heatherly said. “She is just such a positive aspect to the team. It was just incredible getting a chance to play with her.”

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The Mighty Macs started the season running a 6-2 offense, with Heatherly sharing the setting duties. That changed during a tournament in Kentucky, when DeJarld put her faith in the freshman.

With every demand, Heatherly responded. With all the encouragement from “big sister,” she flourished. By the end of this weekend, she’ll have more than 700 assists.

“Peyton is just so brave out there,” White said. “She is confident, really running the court like she’s supposed to. Taking on the setter’s position is not easy, and doing it as a freshman is not easy at all.

“I’m super proud of her. I think in her future career, she’s going to make it super far. She is only a freshman, and she has done amazing things. And she is only going to get the best coaching here.”

After this weekend, White will be moving on. Her legacy as one of the greatest players to wear the Mighty Macs uniform will remain.

“Yeah, I can’t even believe it,” White said. “I feel like I’ve just started my first year here. I just can’t believe it’s coming to an end.

“But it’s going to be exciting. I mean, these last two matches are going to be sad, too. But we seniors want to end on a good note and finish the job.”