Elk Grove wins in three, naturally
Just call the Elk Grove girls volleyball players “gamers or, more specifically “three-gamers.
In fitting fashion, the Grenadiers used three games to top visiting Palatine in the Mid-Suburban League fourth-place crossover on Tuesday night.
It's appropriate because the Grens (18-16, 5-5) won all five of their MSL conference matches in three games this season.
“We just like going three, said Grenadiers senior ace setter Jessica Condon, a four-year starter who collected 30 assists and 6 kills in her final home match. “I think we just need to get used to what the other team is doing and then we get on our way after that. We don't always start strong but we finish strong.
Condon was strong with her tips, keeping the Pirates' defense on its toes.
“When I play the front row, I like that part of the offense, she said. “I want to keep the defense on its feet.
Grens 5-foot-9 sophomore Diamond Boyd kept the Pirates on their feet, too, as she put down 9 kills.
“We had trouble stopping her on the outside, said Pirates coach Dan Gavin. “She is a nice athlete. Her combination of changing speeds and tips is really impressive for someone of her age.
Other top options that Condon employed were Kristen Cetkovic (7 kills), Leah Miller (6) and Krista Soesbe (6).
Libero Jessica Balzano collected 14 digs and her rifle serves (1 ace) helped the Grens come back from a 6-1 deficit in Game 2.
Palatine setter Laura Kluk, who dished out assists to Kaley Sierawski, Kelsey Batz, Heather Suiter and Val Soderstrom in Game 1, put the Pirates in charge when she served 4 straight points, including 2 aces, for an 8-4 lead.
The game was tied at 13 before Palatine nudged ahead for good at 14-13 on a service point by 5-foot-10 junior Madison Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is replacing junior outside hitter Amanda Hilmer, who suffered a concussion in practice last Wednesday and has missed the last seven matches.
“To come in after not playing in that spot (OH), Madison has stepped up and done a nice job, Gavin said.
“We played real well in Game 1, he added. “We answered pretty much everything Elk Grove did but in Game 2 they threw a solid effort at us and we really didn't respond.
Game 3 was tied at 9-9 before Elk Grove gained the lead for good on errors by Palatine (10-18).
Sierawski's kill brought the Pirates to within 18-17.
But the Grens ran off 7 of the next 8 points, including the match-winner on a tip by Condon for another three-game triumph
“It's (winning in three) about the girls being coachable and doing what they're supposed to do, said Grens first-year coach Stephanie Kezios, whose team is a No. 16 seed in the Class 4A Schaumburg sectional. “When they play like they're capable, that is what should happen.
Fremd d. Prospect: Visiting Fremd (21-8) won the third-place MSL crossover 15-25, 25-22, 25-19 as Alex Messner (12 kills), Jessi Wiedemann (6) and Claire Brady (6) led the Vikes' attack set by Wisconsin-Milwaukee recruit Kayla Price (26 assists).
Prospect (15-12) was led by Rachel Hunt's 14 kills while Sage Rebecca added 9. Shea Gallus collected 12 digs and 14 assists for the Knights.
Barrington d. Wheeling: Barrington (13-14) posted a 25-13, 25-19 victory over host Wheeling (18-17) in the MSL second-place crossover.
Kayla Jordan (11 kills), Sydney Keith (3) and Kellie Kuzmanic (3) led the host Wildcats' offense set by Stephanie Fuchs (9 assists).
Conant d. Rolling Meadows: Conant (12-18) won for the fourth time in six matches with a 25-19, 25-22 decision as Chelsea Vanicek led the Cougars with 8 kills followed by Jenn Donnell (5), Kelly Anderson (4) and Allie Bauch (3).
Kaitlin Chiero handed out 19 assists while Rachael Yordon had 8 digs.
Rachel Mickey (6 kills), Emily Haeger (4) and Veronica Dabrowski (4) were top attackers for host Meadows (9-18).
Hoffman Estates d. Buffalo Grove: Jada Stotts (10 kills) and Becca Stoczynski (5) led visiting Hoffman (13-20) in a 25-22, 25-17 victory. Teammates Mel McGinn had 14 assists and Kelsey Pellus 8.
BG (4-26) was led on attack by Bailey North (4 kills) and Alanna Zawlocki (3) as Kathy Hampton issued 8 assists.
Nazareth Academy d. St. Viator: Nazareth stopped the host Lions 25-23, 27-25 in the ESCC match.
Carlyn Clevenger handed out 21 assists for St. Viator (24-9, 3-5) as Emily Leazer (25-of-29, 10 kills), Janelle Stilling (9-of-10, 6 kills) and Lauren Falotico (12-of-17 4 kills) led the Lions' attack.