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Rolling Meadows rallies past Prospect

Prospect won the first set rather comfortably in Tuesday’s girls volleyball match against Rolling Meadows.

But that may have put the Mustangs right where they wanted to be.

“I think getting down like that really motivates us to come back,” said Mustangs sophomore setter Jenny Vliet (13 assists). “That’s kind of our thing.”

The ability to rally is always a good thing and Meadows sure did put together a superb two-set comeback in the Jean Walker Field House.

The Mustangs (4-7, 2-1) recovered smartly for a 19-25, 25-13, 26-24 triumph in the Mid-Suburban East battle.

Meadows showed its resiliency often in the final two sets, especially when it was down 11-6 in the decisive one.

Maura Benson (2 blocks) served the Knights (2-4, 1-2) to the 5-point lead but Meadows tied it at 12-12 on a kill by senior Veronica Drabowski.

“Our attitude in the third set definitely improved along with our energy and communication,” Drabowski said. “You could just see it in our intensity.”

A kill by junior Lauren Yearian put Prospect ahead 13-12 before Meadows surged back in front 17-13 on a kill by junior Rachel Mickey.

The set was tied at 21-21 before a kill by junior middle hitter Morgan Keller gave the Mustangs match point.

But Prospect staved it off twice, getting a lift call on Meadows and a kill by Yearian off a set by Danielle Siwik.

Meadows notched the win when Mickey put down a kill off Vliet’s set followed by Drabowski’s match-winner.

“We are definitely improved from last season,” Drabowski said. “Last year, we had only two returning players. This year we have more experienced players and we have more club experience.”

The Knights led by as many as 8 points in the first set (17-9) but Meadows closed to within 21-17.

Meadows held off 1 set point with a kill by Vliet before senior Sage Rebecca put down the set winner off a set from Siwik.

In Set 2, Meadows gradually pulled away throughout, getting big contributions at the net from sophomore Ashley Montanez (2 kills, 4 blocks), Drabowski (6 kills, 7 blocks), Mickey (5 kills), Vliet (3 blocks) and Keller (5 kills, 7 blocks).

“It took a while for our offense to get going,” said Meadows coach Janet Opels. “Our net play was a big factor. Abbey Hill stepped in and did a wonderful job defensively. Ashley (Montanez) did a nice job at the net. It’s just a matter of her getting used to things.”

Amanda Cipek (11 kills) and Yearian (6) led the Knights’ attack while Siwik (17 assists) and Shea Gallus (12) directed the offense.

Michele DiFatta sparked the back row with 18 digs while Gallus and Carissa Weis each had 8.

“Right now, our girls are their own worst enemies,’ said Prospect coach Mike Riedy. “They are so afraid of making mistakes, they make them.

“I thought Amanda (Cipek) had a nice night and our setters did a nice job. Maura Benson (2 blocks) did a nice job serving when she was in the back row. And Kelly Ziegenfuss (4-5 serve receiving, 14-of-14 serving, 1 ace) had a nice match.”

Hersey d. Elk Grove: Seniors Kelsey Haas (9 kills) and Kristen Pedersen (7 kills) led the attack for three-time defending MSL champion Hersey (8-3, 3-0) in a 25-10, 25-9 victory.

Abby Fesl handed out 21 assists while Taylor Schill and Haas each collected 10 digs for the Huskies. EG is 3-7 and 1-2.

Fremd d. Conant: Fremd improved to 7-3 and 2-1 in the MSL West with a 25-20, 25-20 triumph as Rebecca Clarke (7 kills), Nicole Obos (4), Claire Brady (3) and Lane Hindenburg (3) led the attack set by Marilyn Lortz (22 assists).

The Cougars (2-9, 0-3) were paced on attack by Jenn Donnell (8 kills), Allie Bauch (4 kills) and Morgan Peterson (2 kills).

Palatine d. Hoffman Estates: Taylor Fricano (5 kills), Cassie Chaplinsky (3 kills) and Laura Kluk (3 kills, 13 assists) ignited the attack for Palatine (5-4, 2-1) in a 25-18, 25-13 victory. Kluk also had 4 aces and 7 digs.

Hoffman (3-10, 0-3) was led by Destinee Young’s 3 kills and 9 digs from Nicole Lechowicz.

Barrington d. Schaumburg: Barrington (9-2, 3-0) remained undefeated in the MSL West with a 25-22, 25-15 victory.

Julia Thompson (10 kills), Peyton Lang (8) and Lauren Shectman (5) led the attack for the Fillies while Madison Keller and Shectman each had 2 blocks.

Lauren Dunseith handed out 25 assists while Julia Thompson had 3 aces and 9 digs.

Olivia Szuszkiwicz contributed 2 aces while Amanda (8 digs) and Emily Casaletto (7 digs) also helped spark the back row.

Schaumburg (5-4, 2-1) was led on attack by Kelly Koutnik (8 kills), Sam Mellert (2) and Jenna Geber (2).

Buffalo Grove d. Wheeling: Paige Smith (11 kills, 5 digs), Bailey North (5 kills, 2 blocks) and Mary Zawlocki (4 kills) led the attack for the Bison (7-9, 2-1) in a 25-18, 25-23 MSL East triumph.

Kathy Hampton handed out 10 assists and Mary Guth had 6 for the winners who received 9 digs from Kelly Kowal and 7 from Victoria Ito.

Wheeling (1-10, 0-3) was paced by Kellie Kuzmanic (9 kills, 6 digs), Sydney Keith (4 kills) and Amanda Mullin (2 kills, 8 digs, 15 assist, 1 ace).

CLA d. IMSA: Christian Liberty Academy posted a 29-27, 19-25, 25-23 triumph over Illinois Math and Science Academy as Carly Baric led the Chargers with 6 kills, and Vivian Barclay had 5.

  Rolling Meadows’ Jenny Vliet sets the ball against Prospect Tuesday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Ashley Montanez of Rolling Meadows goes for a kill against Prospect Tuesday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Morgan Keller of Rolling Meadows, left, blocks a ball hit by Prospect’s Sage Rebecca during Tuesday’s game. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com