For Regina’s French, Dombai, this is their year

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Regina senior Megan French slams a spike during the Panthers' match with Loyola. | Ruthier Hauge~Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 15, 2011 10:14AM

Megan French walked around after last week’s three-set loss to Loyola with a protective shoe on her foot.

Hours before the match, the Regina Dominican senior learned she might have broken bones or torn ligaments.

But there was no way the three-year veteran outside hitter was going to miss the Wilmette rivalry match against the Ramblers. French kept going after the game, too, helping push back the bleachers and clean up the gym, much to the alarm of the school’s athletic trainer.

“I’m a little unlucky, I guess,” said French, who’s spent most of her career battling injuries. “I just got to work through it. There’s not much I can do.”

French’s health problems started with a hamstring injury as a sophomore. That led to two herniated discs last season. Regina coach Robert Hughes believes French’s foot injury is related to her back.

“What’s awesome about her is that she plays for the other girls,” Hughes said. “She told me she knows her limits. If she feels like she can’t play or is hurting the team, she will let me know. I trust her to make that judgment.”

French is one of eight seniors on the Panthers, who are enjoying their best season in Hughes’ five seasons in charge of the program. Regina entered this week 8-13 overall and 2-3 in the GCAC Red after last week’s 25-20, 15-25, 25-20 loss to Loyola.

The Panthers took third place at Lake Forest’s invitational over the weekend. French earned all-tournament honors after totaling 56 kills, 32 digs and fives.

“Since we walked in as freshmen, this was the most anticipated year,” said French, who had a team-best 12 kills against the Ramblers. “This is the year we have worked for.”

Like French, Julie Dombai is a three-year captain for the Panthers. Dombai’s been with the varsity since her freshman season. Against Loyola, Dombai followed French with nine kills.

“From the beginning, Julie was a hard-working, tenacious athlete,” Hughes said of the outside hitter. “Her speed and athletic ability are her strongest assets, and she is really becoming a great asset as a senior year this year.

“Megan and Julie are having the best seasons of their careers. I am excited and saddened to see them graduating.”

Before French and Dombai depart, they have business to take care of on the court. They hope to lead the Panthers to their first sectional championship since 1996. Regina, which last won a regional title in 2008, will learn its playoff road in Class 3A this week.

“We are focusing on one game at a time,” French said. “But we want to have a great ending to this season. We want to go far in the state tournament.”